British plant-based meal replacement company Huel, co-founded in 2015 and known for selling over 270 million meals, is set to be acquired by Danone for nearly $1.15 billion. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Huel as it continues to expand its footprint globally, especially in the U.S. market. This acquisition deal was reported by Reuters in March 2026, highlighting the growing prominence of plant-based nutrition in the food industry.

Idris Elba played a key role as an early investor in Huel, along with his wife Sabrina, TV host Jonathan Ross, and Grace Beverley, CEO of activewear brand TALA. In 2022, they joined a $24 million funding round led by Highland Europe aimed at boosting Huel’s U.S. growth. Elba’s involvement was more than financial; he invested sweat equity after personally connecting with the company’s CEO, James McMaster, whose vision and leadership impressed him.

Elba shared in a Forbes Family Group video how his decision to invest stemmed from appreciation of Huel's product quality and its founder's clarity of purpose. The investment also aligned with Elba and his wife’s values around promoting healthy, low-carbon footprint diets, as well as supporting agricultural development in Sierra Leone, Elba’s father’s homeland. While Elba modestly noted he didn’t get massively rich from the sale, he acknowledged the substantial size and impact of the transaction.

This acquisition underscores the intersection of celebrity investment, sustainable food innovation, and corporate expansion. Huel’s nearly $1.15 billion sale to Danone reflects a broader shift toward plant-based nutrition and investors’ readiness to back companies blending health, sustainability, and strong leadership. For pop finance audiences, it highlights how early-stage investments in purpose-driven startups can lead to significant returns and influence on emerging markets.