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Dao Foods International
Dao Foods International was founded in 2018 by Tao Zhang and Albert Tseng.
Dao Foods International
Dao Foods International was founded in 2018 by Tao Zhang and Albert Tseng. Zhang also founded Dao Ventures, a cross-border impact investment group whose China Impact Fund was considered the country's first impact fund focused on environmental SMEs. Tseng founded Moonspire Social Ventures, which invests in social enterprises aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The firm's mandate is to invest in alternative-protein companies based in China or with strategic relevance to the Chinese market. Dao Foods runs a Venture Fund I, an incubator, and ecosystem-building programs. The portfolio includes Starfield Food Science & Technology and PlantNow! (per firm website). Geographic focus is China, with additional reach into North America for non-Chinese companies that can leverage China's market. Deployment and AUM are not publicly disclosed. The firm maintains offices in Overland Park, Manchester, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, Toronto, and Madison. Founding partners include Unovis Asset Management and the Good Food Institute. No recent operational event was verifiable from public sources. Dao Foods' structural differentiator is using a blended finance strategy — impact investments alongside ecosystem-building programs — to lend credibility and attract co-investors in China's nascent alternative-protein sector. This hybrid model of venture capital and nonprofit-style advocacy is uncommon among family offices.
General information
Firm type
Family Office
Year founded
2018
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Overland Park
Corporate office
Overland Park, KS, United States
Additional offices
Manchester · Chicago · San Francisco · Washington · Toronto · Madison
Principals
Tao Zhang
Co-Founder
Albert Tseng
Co-Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Dao Foods International?
Investment decisions are led by co-founders Tao Zhang and Albert Tseng. Zhang also manages Dao Ventures, which ran China's first impact fund for environmental SMEs. Tseng founded Moonspire Social Ventures and has a background in impact investment and medical technology.
How does Dao Foods source proprietary deal flow?
Dao Foods sources deals through its incubator and ecosystem-building programs, which engage entrepreneurs and stakeholders in China's alternative-protein space. The firm also leverages partnerships with Unovis Asset Management and the Good Food Institute.
Is Dao Foods structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
Dao Foods operates as an impact-oriented investment and advocacy firm, blending venture capital with ecosystem-building activities. While its ownership structure is not publicly disclosed, it functions similarly to a thematic venture fund with family-office backing.
Does Dao Foods participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Dao Foods makes direct investments through its Venture Fund I, targeting alternative-protein startups. It also runs an incubator and mentorship programs, but there is no public evidence of fund-of-funds commitments.
What investment stages does Dao Foods typically target?
Dao Foods focuses on early-stage alternative-protein companies, including startups that are still in the nascent phase of product development and market entry in China.
Which sectors does Dao Foods explicitly avoid?
Dao Foods does not publicly disclose sectors it avoids, but its focus is exclusively on alternative proteins and plant-based foods. It does not invest in conventional animal agriculture or unrelated industries.
How is Dao Foods related to Dao Ventures and Unovis Asset Management?
Tao Zhang co-founded both Dao Foods and Dao Ventures. Unovis Asset Management (formerly New Crop Capital) is a founding partner of Dao Foods, providing specialized venture capital expertise in alternative proteins.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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