The Artful Baker’s biscotti range Warburtons has backed biscuit manufacturer The Artful Baker with a six-figure investment as part of the Batch Ventures innovation fund. It is the first of several investments that the 50:50 joint venture with independent business accelerator Mission Ventures expects to make this year, it said. Batch Ventures was set up last year to back businesses producing innovative bakery products. It combines equity funding together with hands-on support from successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, it added. It takes a minority stake-holding in businesses it approves and typically plans to invest between £50,000 to £250,000. Following its launch, it received more than 80 expressions of interest from UK companies with nearly half of these (46%) specialising in snacks while 21% were involved in the gluten-free market.