AGT Foods invests US$3.1M in Chickapea to fuel North American growth
As part of the deal, Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods, has joined Chickapea’s Board of Directors.
CANADA – AGT Foods, a global leader in pulse and staple food ingredients, has acquired a significant stake in Canadian pasta brand Chickapea, leading a C$4.3 million (US$3.1 million) funding round aimed at accelerating the brand’s expansion across North America.
The round also included investments from FCC Capital, the venture arm of Farm Credit Canada, and existing backer InvestEco, which has supported Chickapea since 2019.
Founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Shelby Taylor, Chickapea specializes in organic, high-protein pasta made from chickpeas and yellow peas.
Its product lineup includes popular formats such as penne, spaghetti, lasagna, spirals, and elbows, all designed to offer a nutritious alternative to traditional wheat-based pasta.
The brand is B-Corp certified, woman-owned, and committed to clean-label innovation.
Taylor expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to have received the investment from AGT Foods, FCC, and InvestEco. Their support will be instrumental as we continue to scale our brand, meet growing consumer demand, and explore new retail channels.”
As part of the deal, Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods, has joined Chickapea’s Board of Directors.
Al-Katib, a globally recognized agri-food leader and EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year (2017), emphasized Chickapea’s potential: “AGT is excited to partner with Chickapea, and I am eager to bring our expertise and resources to help scale this incredible brand in the North American market.”
The investment comes during a period of major momentum for Chickapea, which reported velocity increases of 25–50% across retail channels in both Canada and the U.S. this year.
The brand’s recent recipe and packaging refresh has further boosted consumer engagement, with retailers praising its taste, texture, and strong sales performance.
Chickapea plans to use the funds for marketing initiatives, product development, and distribution expansion, reinforcing its position as Canada’s leading organic and high-protein pasta brand.
The company previously raised C$9.3 million (US$6.6M) in a Series C round in 2021, led by District Ventures Capital and Export Development Canada.
With AGT Foods’ backing, Chickapea is poised to scale rapidly, tapping into growing demand for plant-based, protein-rich, and clean-label food products across North America.
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