
HelloFresh is a well-known meal kit delivery company, but have you ever wondered who owns it and how it's structured? The company was founded by Dominik Richter, Thomas Griesel, and Jessica Nilsson in 2011.
The founders were all passionate about food and technology, and they saw an opportunity to bring healthy, convenient meals to people's homes. They were able to secure funding from investors like LGT Venture and Goodman Corporate Finance.
HelloFresh is a publicly traded company, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This means that its ownership is divided among shareholders, including institutional investors and individual investors.
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Founders and Ownership Structure
HelloFresh was founded in 2011 by Dominik Richter, Thomas Griesel, and Jessica Nilsson. They established the company as a privately held entity.
The founders' individual ownership stakes were diluted through early funding rounds, which allowed investors to acquire stakes in the company. This is a common occurrence for successful companies.

The company's initial public offering (IPO) on November 2, 2017, marked a significant turning point in its history. It transitioned the company to a publicly traded entity, broadening the shareholder base.
As of early 2025, institutional investors hold a significant portion of the company's shares. These include asset management firms, mutual funds, and index funds. Some of the primary shareholders include Baillie Gifford & Co., The Vanguard Group, and BlackRock, Inc.
Here's a breakdown of the top 5 shareholders as of May 31, 2024:
The company's ownership structure has continued to evolve over the past few years, with institutional investors holding 83.33% of the company as of May 31, 2024.
Ownership Changes and Acquisitions
HelloFresh's ownership has undergone significant changes since its inception in 2011. The company's initial public offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November 2017 marked a crucial turning point, shifting the company from private to public and broadening its shareholder base.
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As of early 2025, the primary shareholders of HelloFresh are institutional investors, including asset management firms, mutual funds, and index funds. For example, Baillie Gifford & Co. held approximately 10.02% of the shares as of March 31, 2025.
The company's acquisitions, such as the 2020 acquisition of Factor 75 and the 2021 acquisition of Youfoodz, have primarily impacted its operational footprint and market reach rather than fundamentally changing its equity ownership.
Here's a list of some of HelloFresh's notable acquisitions:
The acquisition of Green Chef, an organic and vegan food delivery company, in 2021 further amplified HelloFresh's mission to give consumers a simple way to eat and live healthier.
How Ownership Has Changed Over Time
The ownership of HelloFresh has undergone significant changes since its inception. The company was founded in 2011 as a privately held entity.
The initial funding rounds before the IPO diluted the individual ownership stakes of the founders, Dominik Richter and Thomas Griesel. This is a common occurrence for successful public companies.

The company's initial public offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on November 2, 2017, was a critical event in its history. It allowed the company to raise capital from public markets, which fueled its expansion and growth.
The IPO transitioned the company to a publicly traded entity, broadening the shareholder base. As of early 2025, the primary shareholders of the company are institutional investors.
Institutional investors include asset management firms, mutual funds, and index funds, such as Baillie Gifford & Co., The Vanguard Group, and BlackRock, Inc. These investors hold significant stakes in the company.
Here is a breakdown of the top institutional investors as of March 31, 2025:
This shift in ownership has influenced the company's strategy and governance, with a focus on financial performance and sustainability initiatives.
HelloFresh Acquires Green Chef
HelloFresh has made a significant move by acquiring Green Chef, an organic and vegan food delivery company based in Boulder.
The acquisition will drive synergies for HelloFresh's operations, logistics, and procurement.
HelloFresh will gain its first office and production facility in the state of Colorado.
The company will integrate Green Chef into its operations and culinary teams.
Green Chef was the first certified, organic, and gluten-free meal kit company in the U.S.
This distinction is important to consumers who prioritize eating organically or are sensitive to gluten.
HelloFresh's business is on an upswing, with increased revenue and decreasing losses.
The company's customer base has grown to 1.5 million globally.
This is a significant milestone, making HelloFresh much bigger than Blue Apron, whose customer base shrank 15 percent to 746,000.
However, it's worth noting that HelloFresh counts free boxes as users, which might skew the comparison.
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Noerr Advises on Chefs Plate Acquisition
Noerr has advised HelloFresh on its acquisition of Chefs Plate, a Canadian meal kit company. This strategic move positions HelloFresh as the market leader in Canada.
The acquisition involves HelloFresh entering into an agreement with Chefs Plate's shareholders to acquire all shares in the company. Both companies will operate under the HelloFresh umbrella in the future.
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Noerr's team, led by Dr. Laurenz Wieneke, provided advice and support to HelloFresh on this transaction. Advisors from Noerr LLP include Dr. Julian Schulze De la Cruz, Dominique StĂĽtz, Dr. Dirk Buken, and Dr. Fabian Badtke.
The acquisition is subject to conditions precedent and is expected to close within the next few weeks.
Investments and Acquisitions
HelloFresh has been making significant investments and acquisitions in recent years. The company acquired Youfoodz in July 2021, a meal kit delivery service based in Brisbane, Australia.
In June 2021, HelloFresh made an investment in Vitable, a meal kit delivery service founded in 2019 and based in Sydney, Australia.
HelloFresh has also expanded its operations through strategic acquisitions. The company acquired Factor 75, a meal kit delivery service based in Chicago, United States, in November 2020.
Here's a summary of HelloFresh's investments and acquisitions:
These investments and acquisitions have helped HelloFresh expand its operations and customer base, positioning the company as a major player in the meal kit delivery market.
Key Information
HelloFresh owners have undergone significant changes since the company's founding. Institutional investors hold a major portion of the shares.
The company's ownership structure has been diluted due to the IPO and subsequent funding rounds, impacting the founders' individual ownership. This shift has had a notable effect on the company's strategy and governance.
You can find detailed breakdowns of the ownership structure in the company's annual reports and SEC filings, specifically for its American Depository Receipts.
Company Governance
HelloFresh's Board of Directors plays a vital role in the company's governance, balancing the interests of various stakeholders.
The Board typically includes a mix of executive directors, representing the company's management, and independent directors, who bring external perspectives and oversight. Dominik Richter serves as the CEO and is a key executive director, representing the founding vision within the board.
The composition of the board is crucial for the company's strategic direction, ensuring that HelloFresh operates with a focus on long-term shareholder value while adhering to regulatory requirements and ethical standards.

The Board's decisions are made with the aim of maximizing long-term shareholder value while adhering to regulatory requirements and ethical standards.
The company operates with a standard one-share-one-vote structure, meaning each share generally carries equal voting rights. There are no widely reported special voting rights, golden shares, or dual-class share structures.
Here's a breakdown of HelloFresh's Board of Directors:
Institutional investors hold a significant majority of the company's shares, influencing the company's ownership structure through market performance and strategic initiatives.
Financial and Investment History
HelloFresh has raised a total of $367M in funding over 8 rounds, with its first funding round taking place on December 11, 2012. Its latest funding round was a Post IPO round on August 5, 2019, but the amount is undisclosed.
Three investors participated in HelloFresh's latest funding round, including Baillie Gifford, Kinnevik, and Rocket Internet.
HelloFresh has 18 institutional investors, with notable ones being Phenomen Ventures, Baillie Gifford, and Kinnevik.
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Here's a list of HelloFresh's co-founders and their contact information:
- Thomas Griesel: Co-Founder of HelloFresh and founder of 2 other companies, Hello Fresh and HelloFresh. Contact Info: 1 email address
- Jessica Nilsson: Co-Founder of HelloFresh. Contact Info: 1 email address
- Dominik S Richter: Co-Founder & CEO of HelloFresh. Contact Info: 1 email address
HelloFresh has made several investments and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Youfoodz on July 13, 2021, and the investment in Vitable on June 16, 2021.
Ownership Landscape
HelloFresh's ownership landscape has undergone significant changes since its inception. The company's founders, Dominik Richter and Thomas Griesel, initially held a significant stake, but subsequent funding rounds and the IPO diluted their individual ownership stakes.
A key turning point was the initial public offering (IPO) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on November 2, 2017, which transitioned the company to a publicly traded entity.
The IPO allowed HelloFresh to raise capital from public markets, fueling its expansion and growth. This shift also broadened the shareholder base, making it more diverse.
As of early 2025, institutional investors hold the majority of the company's shares. Baillie Gifford & Co. held approximately 10.02% of the shares as of March 31, 2025, while The Vanguard Group held around 3.01% and BlackRock, Inc. held about 5.03%.
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Other significant institutional holders include Capital Research Global Investors and Norges Bank Investment Management. These investors often focus on financial performance and sustainability initiatives, influencing decisions about market expansion and operational efficiency.
The company's ownership structure reflects its focus on growth and expansion. As of May 31, 2024, institutional investors hold 83.33% of the company, with Baillie Gifford & Co., The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, Inc., Capital Research Global Investors, and Norges Bank Investment Management among the top 5 shareholders.
The company's acquisitions, such as the 2020 acquisition of Factor, have primarily impacted its operational footprint and market reach rather than fundamentally changing its equity ownership.
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Legal Entities Associated
HelloFresh's legal entities are listed below, providing a glimpse into the company's structure and growth.
HelloFresh is a German company, as indicated by its legal entity name, HelloFresh SECIN: HRB182382Germany, Active.
The company was incorporated on December 30, 2014.
As of December 31, 2018, HelloFresh's revenue reached $1.51B.
HelloFresh has a significant workforce, with 21,783 employees as of December 31, 2024.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lawsuit against HelloFresh?
HelloFresh is facing a lawsuit over allegedly enrolling customers into subscription plans without their consent, resulting in a $7.5 million settlement. The lawsuit claims the company engaged in deceptive subscription practices.
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