Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. announced Thursday that its venture fund Cultivate Next has invested in two companies, Hyphen, a San Jose, Calif.-based restaurant technology company, and Meati Foods, a Boulder, CO-based company that makes a mushroom-based protein alternative. Hyphen’s first product, The Makeline, uses advanced robotics to aid in order fulfillment. And Meati grows its mushroom root indoors all year round and sustainably produces its products. Chipotle launched its $50 million venture fund in April. Hyphen and Meati are among its first investments. Chipotle, which is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings on July 26, has seen its stock drop 21.4% for the year to date.
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