Huel, a UK-based plant-based nutrition company endorsed by Idris Elba, has been acquired for $1.15 billion.

Idris Elba, the well-known actor, has recently made a significant business move that has less to do with Hollywood and more to do with being ahead of the game. Along with his wife, Sabrina Elba, he invested in Huel, a plant-based nutrition company based in the UK, before it became a global sensation and received a whopping $1.15 billion acquisition offer from French food giant Danone, as reported by AfroTech. Huel, which was founded in 2015, has sold over 270 million meals and expanded its product line to include ready-to-drink beverages, snacks, and hot meals.

In 2022, the company received a $24 million funding round led by Highland Europe, with the aim of accelerating its growth in the United States. Elba, Sabrina Elba, British television host Jonathan Ross, and entrepreneur Grace Beverley were among the investors in this round. For Elba, this investment was not just a celebrity endorsement, but a well-thought-out decision.

In a video shared by Forbes Family Group, he expressed his admiration for Huel's products and its CEO, James McMaster, whom he described as a "smart guy" with a clear vision. "It was an opportunity to work with Huel in its early stages, and they were looking for someone to help them gain more visibility. I genuinely like their product and their CEO," said the talented actor.

"When I received the call four years ago, I took a look at it and decided to invest. It was a small investment for me, but it was worth it. I feel blessed to have been a part of this deal," he added.

Apart from his love for the product, Elba's investment also aligns with his interest in promoting healthier and more sustainable diets, as well as supporting agricultural development in Sierra Leone, his father's home country. And now, his early bet on Huel is paying off big time. Recently, Danone announced its acquisition of Huel for a staggering 1 billion euros (around $1.15 billion), bringing the independent nutrition brand under one of the largest food companies in the world.

While Elba's stake may not have made him extremely wealthy, it was still a significant return on his investment. "I didn't become a millionaire, but it was a huge sale, and I did receive a small portion of that," he shared. This deal highlights a growing trend among celebrities who use their capital, influence, and connections to become early-stage investors, rather than just endorsing products.

For Elba, the strategy was simple - support a product he believes in, use his fame to bring attention to it, and let the company's growth do the rest.