CHIPOTLE'S CULTIVATE NEXT FUND INVESTS IN AQUATIC PLANT-BASED TECHNOLOGIES THAT AIM TO EMULATE ANIMAL PROTEIN AND SCALE MORE SUSTAINABLE CATTLE FEED

Core Insights - Chipotle Mexican Grill is making minority investments in Plantible and CH4 Global to support its mission of cultivating a better world and to accelerate its growth plans to operate 7,000 restaurants in North America [1][4] Group 1: Investment Details - Chipotle's Cultivate Next fund is focused on early-stage investments in companies that align with its sustainability goals [1][7] - Plantible produces Rubi Protein™ from Lemna (duckweed), which mimics the quality and texture of animal-based proteins and can replace synthetic ingredients [2][3] - CH4 Global's Methane Tamer™ aims to reduce methane emissions in cattle by up to 90% using Asparagopsis seaweed [4][5] Group 2: Environmental Impact - Plantible's manufacturing process minimizes freshwater usage and carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner food system [3] - CH4 Global's solutions target significant reductions in methane emissions from the global cattle population, which numbers approximately 1.5 billion [5][6] - The use of Asparagopsis may enhance cattle nutrition and efficiency, further reducing environmental impact [6] Group 3: Strategic Alignment - Chipotle emphasizes ingredient transparency and sustainability, aligning its investments with its Food with Integrity standards [4] - The investment in CH4 Global is part of a broader strategy to address global greenhouse gas emissions through scalable solutions [7] - The Cultivate Next fund portfolio includes various companies focused on sustainable food production and innovation [7]