Investments & Finance

Hoxton Farms

© Hoxton Farms

Hoxton Farms and Mitsui Chemicals Collaborate to Expand Biomanufacturing Infrastructure Across Asia-Pacific

UK-based cultivated fat producer Hoxton Farms and Japanese chemical manufacturer Mitsui Chemicals have entered a strategic partnership to advance biomanufacturing infrastructure in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region. The collaboration combines Hoxton Farms’ proprietary cell culture technology with Mitsui Chemicals’ materials science and production expertise. The agreement includes joint efforts to scale and commercialise modular bioreactor systems developed by Hoxton Farms, which are engineered for large-scale, cost-efficient cell cultivation. Mitsui Chemicals has also made a strategic investment in Hoxton Farms as part of the deal. Max Jamilly, CEO and co-founder of Hoxton Farms, said the collaboration is intended to accelerate the development of industrial-scale biomanufacturing. “As demand for sustainable alternatives grows across industries, we need a new generation of biomanufacturing infrastructure.” Initial focus on cultivated …

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Plan(e)t Foods functional plant-based ice cream

© Plan(e)t Foods

Greece’s Plan(e)t Foods Raises €1.05M to Scale Its Functional Plant-Based Ice Cream

Greek brand Plan(e)t Foods, which claims to be the world’s first plant-based and carbon-negative ice cream company, has raised €1.05 million. The funding comes from Southeast Europe’s first impact fund, SPOROS Platform. It will support Plan(e)t Foods’ expansion into other European countries, with the first exports expected to take place this year. Additionally, the investment will fuel the company’s product development strategy, helping it expand further into functional ice cream innovations. Plan(e)t Foods was founded in 2021, and already claims to be one of Greece’s most recognizable ice cream brands. It has gained nationwide distribution at all major retailers in the country, and runs a flagship Plan(e)t Ice Cream store at the foot of the Acropolis. Since its launch, Plan(e)t Foods has reportedly more than …

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Rival Foods

© Rival Foods

Rival Foods Raises €10M to Scale Production of Clean-Label Plant-Based Whole Cuts

Dutch food-tech scale-up Rival Foods has raised €10 million in a Series B funding round led by pension investor APG on behalf of ABP. PYMWYMIC and ROM Utrecht Region also participated, while existing shareholder PeakBridge provided follow-on investment. Rival Foods has developed a proprietary platform to produce whole-cut, clean-label plant-based meat alternatives that are free of additives. The company will use the new funding to double production capacity at its facility in Geldrop and further scale its proprietary manufacturing technology. This will enable the optimization of production costs, which could help the products become cost-competitive with animal meat. Rival will also use the capital to grow its team and expand internationally, forming partnerships with major players in foodservice and retail. “This investment marks a major …

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Fungu'it

© Fungu'it

Fungu’it Raises €4M to Develop Fungi-Fermented Flavor Alternatives

Fungu’it, a foodtech startup based in Dijon, France, has raised €4 million to scale up its natural flavor production using fungi-based fermentation. The funding round, led by Asterion Ventures with contributions from Evolem and UI Investissement via Oser BFC, will support the company’s goal of expanding its production capacity and accelerating market entry. Anas Erridaoui, CEO and co-founder of Fungu’it commented, “We want to restore purpose in what we eat—without compromise. Through fermentation, we reveal the richness of overlooked raw materials to create flavors that are more accurate, vibrant, and accessible.” From waste to taste Founded in 2022, Fungu’it specializes in transforming agricultural by-products, such as flaxseed and sunflower press cakes, into natural flavors through solid-state fermentation. The company uses filamentous fungi to create a …

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Investment Climate Podcast

© Investment Climate Podcast

Investment Climate Podcast: Arthur Erickson of Hylio, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews investors about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the investment playbooks of successful Climate Tech CEOs and Leading VCs. Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to numerous global food tech accelerators and companies, including alternative proteins and cellular agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech companies. This podcast is syndicated through our media partners, Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist. Episode 34: Hylio In this episode, I talk with Arthur Erickson, CEO and co-founder of Hylio, a Texas-based company developing precision drone systems for agriculture. Arthur shares why they chose equity crowdfunding on StartEngine over traditional venture capital, citing the importance of control and understanding the ag industry’s …

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Food Brewer cocoa

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Foodtech VC Investment Fell Sharply in Q1 2025, But Alt Proteins Remained Active

According to a new report by PitchBook, foodtech VC investment fell sharply in the first quarter of 2025, with deal value down 49.6% QoQ. $1.4 billion of venture capital was invested over 202 deals in Q1, representing an annual run rate of $5.6 billion over 808 deals. In comparison, $10.3 billion was invested over 1,127 deals last year, while a huge $49.8 billion was invested over 2,721 deals in 2021. According to PitchBook, dealmaking has been slowed by high investor selectivity. However, alternative proteins have done relatively well — they were the second-largest foodtech investment category over the past 12 months, with $1.7 billion invested over 199 deals despite headwinds facing the industry. Within the category, fermentation was particularly successful. Notably, Food Brewer — the …

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VEGDOG

© VEGDOG

Vegan Dog Food Brand VEGDOG Raises €9M in Series A Funding

German vegan dog food brand VEGDOG has raised €9 million in Series A funding. The round was led by the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF VC) and existing investor Green Generation Fund. Other participants included business angels Dominique Locher, Attollo S.A., and Andrea Skersies, along with investment platform Select Alternative Investments and existing shareholder SFO. The news comes after VEGDOG reached €10 million in annual sales and 66% year-on-year growth in 2024. Growth rates of up to 80% are expected for the coming years. In 2025, VEGDOG plans to double its team in order to expand into the entire DACH region and the Netherlands, followed by other European countries in 2026. The brand’s products are currently available D2C in Germany and Austria, as well as …

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Lantmännen Biorefineries acquires minority share in Sproud

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Lantmännen Biorefineries Becomes Part-Owner of Pea Milk Brand Sproud

Lantmännen Biorefineries, part of the energy division of Swedish agricultural cooperative Lantmännen, has announced an investment in plant-based milk brand Sproud. Through the investment, Lantmännen Biorefineries has become a minority stakeholder in Sproud, with a share of approximately 10%. Sproud, which is also based in Sweden, produces pea-based milk alternatives that are sold in 30 countries throughout the Nordics, Europe, North America, and Asia. The products are available for both retail and food service, and can also be purchased online. The news comes after Lantmännen secured a loan of €50 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) earlier this year to support the construction of a pea protein processing plant in Lidköping, Sweden. “It’s a positive development that we can become a part-owner of Sproud, …

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Burcon

© Burcon

Burcon Begins Commercial Production of Pea Protein at Illinois Facility, Targets 2026 Profitability

Burcon NutraScience has commenced commercial production of its Peazazz C pea protein at its newly acquired manufacturing facility in Galesburg, Illinois. This marks the first time the company has had direct operational control over a commercial-scale production site. Quick ramp-up and forecasts The facility became operational less than three months after commissioning and is now ramping up output through the second half of 2025. The company projects between $1 million and $3 million in revenue for the calendar year 2025, and over $10 million in 2026. Positive cash flow is anticipated by the end of 2026. “The successful startup of our Galesburg facility marks a key operational milestone in Burcon’s commercial scale-up. In less than 90 days since commissioning, our team has brought next-generation protein …

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Baby milk stock

Photo: Shvetsa on Pexels

Portugal’s PFx Biotech Secures €5M to Produce Bioidentical Human Milk Proteins Through Precision Fermentation

Portuguese startup PFx Biotech has raised €2.5 million in a seed funding round led by Buenavista Equity Partners, with support from EIT Food and Beta Capital. The company has also secured a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), taking the total amount it has raised to €5 million. PFx Biotech is focused on producing highly functional bioidentical human milk proteins through precision fermentation. The aim is to provide sustainable, non-GMO, and allergen-free nutritional solutions for all life stages, including infants, athletes, and the elderly. The new capital will be used to fund bespoke lab facilities, an expanded team, and the pre-industrial scale-up of PFx Biotech’s lactoferrin. On LinkedIn, the startup says it is now open to strategic partnerships …

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Investment Climate Podcast

© Investment Climate Podcast

Investment Climate Podcast: Giacomo Bastianelli of Rainbow Crops, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews investors about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the investment playbooks of successful Climate Tech CEOs and Leading VCs. Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to numerous global food tech accelerators and companies, including alternative proteins and cellular agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech companies. This podcast is syndicated through our media partners, Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist. Episode 33: Rainbow Crops In this episode, I talked with Giacomo Bastianelli, CEO of Rainbow Crops, a VIB spinout focused on engineering complex traits in crops using AI-driven multiplex genome editing. Giacomo shares how Rainbow Crops emerged from a venture studio model at VIB, where deep science is …

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Vega Insiders acquired by Plukon Food Group

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Poultry Producer Plukon Food Group Continues Alt Protein Strategy by Acquiring Plant-Based Brand Vega Insiders

European poultry producer Plukon Food Group has acquired the activities of Dutch plant-based brand Vega Insiders, part of the Zilverwerf Group. Plukon says the acquisition marks its next step in the field of alternative proteins, accelerating the integration of plant-based product development expertise within the group. Vega Insiders will continue to operate under its own name as part of Plukon Food Group, and all employees will remain with the company. “We are proud to welcome Vega Insiders to the Plukon family,” said Kees Kraijenoord, CEO of Plukon Food Group. “For some time, Plukon has aspired to have a dedicated vegetarian/vegan production site. With this acquisition, that ambition becomes reality, and we can now scale up in a fully plant-based environment.” “A partner with the same …

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Nordic Foodtech VC

© Nordic Foodtech VC

Nordic Foodtech VC Announces €40M First Close on €80M Fund

Nordic Foodtech VC, an early-stage investor in startups developing new food and agriculture technologies, has announced the first closing of its second fund at €40 million. The fund is backed by institutional investors such as Tesi and Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company, as well as food industry stakeholders such as Valio Pension Fund and Heino Group. The first closing doubles Nordic Foodtech VC’s total capital managed, and fundraising will continue toward the €80 million target for final closing. By working with universities and research institutions, which often have limited access to early-stage risk capital, Nordic Foodtech VC aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and concrete industrial applications. The fund works to find the best ideas, teams, and technologies that have potential for global …

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ProVeg International

Image supplied by ProVeg International

Public Money, Plant-Based Future? Poland’s Ncbr Backs Alt-Protein Innovation

As the race to transform food systems accelerates, public funding bodies are emerging as quiet but powerful players. In Poland, the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) is directing millions into research and development, and alternative proteins are increasingly part of the picture. From investments in early-stage plant-based product development to cultivated meat, NCBR is shaping Poland’s agri-food future – one grant at a time. While animal-based producers still receive the lion’s share of funds (a reflection of their scale and maturity), there’s growing momentum among alternative protein innovators. Take LabFarm, a Polish cultivated meat company that recently secured over PLN 9 million in public support. Or Tarczyński S.A., which topped the rankings in a national funding call with a project to develop hybrid …

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Protein Industries Canada

© Protein Industries Canada

Protein Industries Canada Targets Supply Chain Resilience with $15 Million in Genomics and AI Funding

Protein Industries Canada has announced a new funding allocation of $15 million from the Government of Canada to support genomics and artificial intelligence (AI) programs targeting the country’s agrifood industry. The funding is distributed across two streams, aiming to enhance crop breeding capabilities and introduce AI-driven efficiencies throughout the food production value chain. The Genomics Stream will receive $7 million over five years to support the development and commercialization of improved broad-acre crop varieties, with particular focus on pulse and cereal crops. Projects under this stream will utilize genomic technologies to improve plant breeding outcomes and variety development, addressing demand from both growers and ingredient processors. An $8 million investment in AI initiatives will supplement Protein Industries Canada’s current participation in the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence …

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Investment Climate Podcast

© Investment Climate Podcast

Investment Climate Podcast: Severin Eder of Catchfree, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews investors about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the investment playbooks of successful Climate Tech CEOs and Leading VCs. Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to numerous global food tech accelerators and companies, including alternative proteins and cellular agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech companies. This podcast is syndicated through our media partners; Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist. Episode 32: Catchfree In this episode, I spoke with Severin Eder, co-founder of Catchfree, a Swiss startup developing plant-based seafood alternatives. Severin shares the story behind their recent 1.2M CHF seed round, why they’ve taken a B2B-first approach, and how they’re scaling without patents—using trade secrets, chef-led validation, …

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MeliBio

© MeliBio

MeliBio’s Bee-Free Honey Technology Acquired by Swiss Foodtech FoodYoung Labs

MeliBio, a California-based developer of plant-based honey alternatives, has been acquired by FoodYoung Labs, a Switzerland-headquartered foodtech company specializing in vertically integrated food innovation. The acquisition includes MeliBio’s Mellody® brand, along with its Generation 1 technology and associated intellectual property. FoodYoung Labs operates an innovation facility in Balerna, Switzerland, focusing on the development of snack bars, chocolates, spreads, baked goods, and frozen products. The company maintains a portfolio of house brands such as ZAZ, Kakoo, Bonnap, FRŸZE, Mani, and CimaNorma, supplying products to markets in Europe and the United States. FoodYoung Labs’ expertise encompasses food science, culinary development, and ingredient sourcing. MeliBio’s co-founder and CEO, Darko Mandich, reflected on the acquisition as a progression for the company’s objectives: “Established food companies are essential to advancing …

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Planet stock

Photo: Pixabay

Bezos Earth Fund Awards 24 Grants Totaling $1.2M for AI-Driven Climate Solutions

The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded 24 Phase I grants under its AI Grand Challenge for Climate and Nature, an initiative that aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate solutions to the world’s biggest environmental challenges. Each chosen project will receive $50,000, taking the total amount of funding granted to $1.2 million. Later this year, up to 15 of the most promising will be selected for Phase II, receiving implementation grants of $2 million each to further develop and scale their solutions over a two-year period. The AI Grand Challenge has been launched with a commitment of up to $100 million, and will explore the potential of AI to address issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It focuses on sustainable proteins, power grid …

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NoMy

© NoMy

NoMy Secures €1.25M to Commercialize Mycoprotein Technologies Using Resources From Beet Sugar Manufacturing

Norwegian Mycelium (NoMy) has raised €1.25 million in funding from Japanese investor Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Nitten), which was also joined by follow-on investments from an international consortium of investors, including TD Veen, EIT Food, Farvatn Venture, and others The funding will allow NoMy to scale the deployment of its mycoprotein technologies, improving the sustainability and diversity of protein supplies in the food and feed industry through partnerships in Japan, Norway, and Europe. It builds on the partnership between NoMy and Nitten, which began last year with the aim of accelerating the commercialization of NoMy’s mycoprotein technologies using resources from the beet sugar manufacturing process. “Producing mycoprotein as a new use for sugar beets, without stopping their use as a sweetener, is one …

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Session 13 of the ‘update’ Webtalk Series: Deal Makers 2025 – Pitch and Pass to Your Next Investment

The international business webtalk series ‘update’ discusses the most pressing issues of the ongoing protein transition. Based on the latest news, data, and facts, the future of the industry will be put forward and discussed with key market players in this series of talks. Deal Makers 2025: Pitch and Pass to Your Next Investment June 12th, 10:30 AM CT (CHICAGO) | 5:30 PM CEST (BERLIN) | 4:30 PM GMT (LONDON) This webinar will explore key topics relevant to the foodtech and alternative protein investment landscape in 2025. Designed for investors, startups, and established companies seeking funding, the session will provide a look at industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. Participants will gain insights into what investors are prioritizing, effective strategies for securing funding, and the latest findings on how to stand …

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