Warburg Pincus, a business in private equity global growth investing, announced an agreement to acquire FlavorSum, a provider of natural flavor solutions for food and beverage companies, from The Riverside Company. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

FlavorSum develops and produces custom natural liquid flavors, extracts, and flavor systems used across food and beverage applications, primarily serving high-growth, disruptive brands. With core competencies in R&D and application support, the company offers its customers flavor formulation capabilities.

"We are proud of the team and the pure-play flavor platform we built during our partnership with Riverside," says FlavorSum CEO Brian Briggs. "Over Riverside's investment period, FlavorSum acquired and fully integrated four complementary add-on acquisitions, completed a 35,000-square-foot facility expansion, and invested strategically in R&D, applications, and sales and marketing. Our solutions model drives industry-leading organic growth, and we have become the 'Acquirer of Choice' through our acquisition and integration strategies and success.  We look forward to building upon this foundation and driving future growth with our new partners at Warburg Pincus."

"FlavorSum has been purpose-built for the unique needs of fast-growing, innovative brands, offering an unmatched combination of service (across R&D support, short lead times, and best-in-class reliability) with the industry's deepest flavor and application expertise," says Zach Lazar, managing director at Warburg Pincus. "FlavorSum is particularly well-positioned to meet the growing demand for natural solutions across food and beverage applications. We are tremendously excited to partner with Brian and the FlavorSum team to continue the Company's standout growth, including actively pursuing add-on acquisitions."

"We enjoyed the opportunity to partner with the FlavorSum team, and we wish them much success in their next chapter," says Riverside Micro-Cap Fund Senior Partner Alan Peyrat. "FlavorSum is well-positioned for its next phase of growth as we pass the baton to Warburg Pincus."

The transaction is expected to close later in the third quarter.

Houlihan Lokey and Cascadia Capital are acting as financial advisors to FlavorSum, and Jones Day is acting as legal counsel. BMO Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor to Warburg Pincus, and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is acting as legal counsel.

Related: FlavorSum shares predictions for 2025 food innovation