DAVIS, CA. — Thursday, March 19, 2026 — As metabolic disease becomes one of the defining health challenges of our time, scientists and entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to food as a frontline solution for improving human health. Breakthroughs in nutrition science, biotechnology, and AI-enabled discovery are unlocking new ways to design foods, ingredients, and platforms that support metabolic health. Yet many of these innovations struggle to move from promising science to scalable companies.
Food & Health Angels (FH Angels) has launched to help bridge that gap.
Catalytic Capital and Deep Domain Expertise
With a mission to create a healthier society, FH Angels supports and invests in early-stage companies nationwide that apply rigorous science, data, and technology to improve metabolic health, performance, and healthy longevity.
Its charter members include former chief executives from global companies such as Mars and General Mills, accomplished founders who have led companies through IPO and acquisition, and world-class scientists advancing breakthroughs in food, biotechnology, and human health. Collectively, they bring deep experience founding, scaling, and investing in high-growth companies across biotechnology, food innovation, and consumer products.
“We are at a critical tipping point for food and health innovation. With 92% of Americans considered metabolically unhealthy, and GLP-1 use growing, the need for science-backed solutions has never been more urgent. From AI-driven discovery to new sensor technologies, to the ability to deliver precision nutrition, the pace of innovative companies coming out of UC Davis and across the country is staggering. We’ve brought together a network of angel investors who provide more than just capital—we bring the deep industry connections and operational expertise required to help these companies scale and provide real-world impact.”
— Kim Fisher, Founding Director, Food & Health Angels, Director of Programs, The Innovation Institute for Food and Health, UC Davis
Beyond capital, FH Angels provides founders with hands-on expertise, strategic guidance, and influential industry connections to accelerate commercialization. By pairing investment with deep domain expertise, the network helps companies navigate scientific validation, regulatory complexity, and market entry with greater speed, confidence and success. A Hub for Food & Health Innovation Rooted in UC Davis, a global leader in life sciences, nutrition, biotechnology and agriculture, Food & Health Angels draws from a world-class research and entrepreneurial ecosystem advancing the future of food and health. Across the Greater Sacramento region, a rapidly growing network of startups, investors, and industry partners is translating these breakthroughs into scalable companies and real-world impact. The launch of FH Angels builds on this foundation to accelerate the next generation of food and health innovation both regionally and nationwide.
“The momentum behind Food and Health Angels has been driven by the caliber of the team who have contributed their time, resources and experience to launch this network. Embedded in a region with a strong food and health innovation ecosystem, shaped by UC Davis research, the network is well positioned to cultivate and support an exceptional pipeline of startups working at the intersection of food, health and technology.”
— George Baxter, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer, UC Davis
By investing in science-driven startups, FH Angels helps accelerate the commercialization of innovations emerging from the rapidly expanding food and health sector. The network also strengthens the Greater Sacramento region’s growing innovation economy by attracting capital, founders, and industry expertise to companies building solutions at the intersection of food, biotechnology, and human health.
“The launch of Food & Health Angels reinforces the Greater Sacramento region’s leadership in food innovation, agriculture and health technology. Founded in the city of Davis within the Greater Sacramento region and built on the strength of the University of California, Davis research ecosystem and our growing venture community, this initiative connects founders with the capital and expertise needed to scale transformative companies.”
— Barry Broome, President & CEO, Greater Sacramento Economic Council
Together, these partnerships position FH Angels as a leading force to back science-driven founders transforming the future of food and human health. Built within the world-leading research ecosystem of UC Davis and the Greater Sacramento region, the network adds a powerful new resource connecting this innovation hub with entrepreneurs and investors across the country.
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