Canadian meat-snack manufacturer Mitsoh has received a “multi-million-dollar” investment from Raven Indigenous Capital Partners.

The business, which has a name that means “eat” in Cree Nehiyaw, was set up in 2018 by Ian Gladue of Wabasca’s Bigstone Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada.

Mitsoh operates out of the city of Edmonton and is Indigenous-owned. It produces meat snacks positioned as “premium”, made from “high-quality” proteins and “natural” ingredients. 

According to the company, the new funding will be used to “expand” manufacturing capacity at its Edmonton plant, “enhance” distribution across Canada and “fuel new product innovation” within its meat-snack portfolio.

Brandon Markiw, Mitsoh CEO and co-founder, said: “Mitsoh is entering a scale-up phase that demands both operational excellence and cultural integrity. This is the moment we take Mitsoh from a fast-growing challenger brand to a category leader.” 

Gladue added: “Mitsoh started as a way for me to reconnect with my family's food traditions and bring that spirit forward for future generations. Partnering with Raven ensures we're growing in a way that honours our culture, supports our communities, and keeps our products rooted in our traditions.” 

Just Food has asked Gladue and Markiw for further details on how they plan to use the funds and on the company's recent performance.

Canadian food entrepreneur and investor Mike Fata has been named chairman of the Mitsoh board.  

Fata co-founded hemp-food manufacturer Manitoba Harvest in 1998 and held the position of chairman of the board and CEO until 2016. 

In 2019, Manitoba Harvest was sold to Tilray in a deal valued at C$419m ($297.4m).

Fata said: “Mitsoh is a rare combination of purpose and performance. We’re building the future of meat snacks in Canada; authentic, clean-label and proudly Indigenous-owned. With Raven's support and our talented team, we're ready to take Mitsoh from a regional success to a national household name.”