Deals this week: ADM, Hero Group, Honest Stand, Mi Xiaoya

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has entered an agreement with Cargill for establishing a technology joint venture (JV) named Grainbridge.

Grainbridge will offer grain marketing support, e-commerce and account management software to farmers across the US and Canada.

The JV will also develop digital tools that help North American farmers to syndicate information on production economics and grain marketing activities into a single digital platform.

Farmers will be able to know their current grain position and get real-time opportunities, as well as access automated intelligence, which presents changing break-even levels, margin price targets, total current grain and risk management.

The Hero Group has sold its Signature Brands to Traub Capital for an undisclosed amount.

Founded in 1886, Hero Group is an international consumer food manufacturer based in Switzerland. It recorded revenues of Sfr1.28bn ($1.27bn) in 2017.

The transaction complements with the group’s strategy to focus on baby and toddler food, healthy snacks and gluten-free products.

Rothschild & Co, PJ Solomon and Ropes & Gray are the financial advisers to The Hero Group.

Lowenstein Sandler and B Riley FBR are the financial advisers to Traub Capital.

Honest Stand, LTD has raised $0.88m through a seed funding round from an undisclosed investor.

Based in the US, Honest Stand is a producer of plant-based convenient comfort foods. It offers certified organic, dairy-free and gluten-free cheese style dips.

Mi Xiaoya has secured an undisclosed amount through a Pre Series A funding round from Jello Capital and Jida Alumni Fund.

Mi Xiaoya is an internet firm offering staple food and complementary food services for mother and baby groups.

All the companies involved in the transaction are based in China.