MEET MELODY VIOLTON: FROM BANKING TO ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN INVESTING

Melody Violton holds a Double Degree in Business Management from EDHEC Business School and a Master of Science from Aston University. She began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Nomura, where she specialized in the Consumer & Retail sector. During her time at Nomura, Melody worked on notable transactions, including the sale of Gail’s Bakery by Bain Capital Credit and McWin Capital, gaining significant expertise in mergers, acquisitions, and financial strategy.

After her experience in investment banking at Nomura, she moved into the tech ecosystem by joining the investment team at Heroes where she focused on sourcing and analyzing acquisition opportunities, further developing her skills in deal origination and investment evaluation.

Currently, Melody serves as an Senior Investment Associate at CPT Capital, the venture capital arm of a leading private family office. In her role, she oversees a portfolio of over 70 investments in the alternative protein sector, and is responsible for originating, evaluating and executing investment opportunities.

What was your first job and what is your actual job?

First job: Sales Advisor at a luxury boutique on the Champs-Élysées

Actual job: Senior Investment Associate at CPT Capital

Do you believe entrepreneurs are born with innate qualities or made through experiences and learning?

👶🏻 Born

🏋️‍♀️ Made

I don’t think the answer is entirely black or white. Starting your own business requires a great deal of courage and resilience, which some individuals may naturally possess. However, entrepreneurship is also a journey filled with continuous learning and growth, where you develop and refine your skillset over time. I firmly believe that through this journey, you accumulate valuable knowledge, both from your mistakes and your successes, that shapes you as an entrepreneur.

In the classic debate, which came first for you: the egg or the chicken?

🍳 Egg

🐔 Chicken

In the realm of technology, which do you think will have the greatest impact on the food system in the next 10 years? 

I strongly believe that precision fermentation will have the greatest impact on the food system in the next 10 years. This technology is already making its mark, with first movers in markets like the U.S., where regulatory frameworks are becoming increasingly favorable. In the coming years, precision fermentation will revolutionize the alternative protein market, particularly due to its ability to deliver proteins with superior functionality.

However, a key challenge lies in unit economics. Many companies are working on enabling technologies to reduce costs, which will be crucial for achieving cost parity. This is especially important in the dairy sector, where plant-based alternatives often fall short from a taste and texture perspective. 

Which skill do you believe will be more useful in the future of work?

Communication skills will remain crucial in the future of work, even as technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives and AI tools are widely adopted. I firmly believe that AI cannot replace the human element, especially when it comes to navigating complex interactions. For example, in my daily life effective communication between founders and investors, particularly in managing expectations, resolving complicated situations, and having difficult conversations, requires a lot of emotional intelligence, a uniquely human skill that technology cannot replace.

Describe the most surprising culinary experience you’ve ever had

One of the most surprising culinary experiences I’ve ever had was trying cultivated seafood from one of our portfolio companies, in the U.S. Specifically, I had bluefin tuna, and I was amazed by how closely it resembled the real thing. The tasting included a full menu featuring cultivated bluefin tuna in various ways. It was incredible to be among the few people on earth to experience this innovation, it was truly mind-blowing.

Another unforgettable experience was tasting Solein, a protein made from air from Solar Foods, another portfolio company of CPT Capital. They prepared an entire menu showcasing the versatility of Solein, from umami-tasting ravioli to ice cream. It was fascinating to see how this ingredient could be applied across so many different culinary applications.

Name a professional you think we should interview

Felicia Giraud – Sucden Ventures