Planet A Foods, a food technology company specializing in sustainable ingredients, has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round. The financing will support the industrial-scale production of ChoViva, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative, as well as expand the company’s international presence.
“Planet A Foods is no longer just a startup – we’re now on the way to becoming a leading foodtech player”
The funding round, which was oversubscribed, drew participation from several investment firms, including Cherry Ventures, World Fund, and Bayern Kapital. Leveraging the funding, Planet A Foods aims to further its mission of providing sustainable alternatives for the food industry.
CEO and co-founder Dr. Maximilian Marquart stated: “With 30 million dollars in fresh funding and an industry-leading product, Planet A Foods is no longer just a startup – we’re now on the way to becoming a leading foodtech player reshaping the sustainable food industry.”
Addressing challenges in a $130 billion industry
The global chocolate industry, valued at approximately $130 billion, faces mounting pressure from climate change, deforestation, and fluctuating cocoa prices. Cocoa farming has long been associated with deforestation and biodiversity loss, compounded by rising global demand and supply chain vulnerabilities.
ChoViva presents an alternative solution. It eliminates reliance on cocoa, significantly reducing environmental impact and offering stability in pricing compared to cocoa’s volatility. The product has already gained traction, featured in over 20 confectionery products, and is available in more than 42,000 retail outlets across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Following a successful Series A raise at the beginning of the year, the Series B funding, co-led by Burda Principal Investments and Zintinus, will enable Planet A Foods to increase its production capacity from 2,000 tons to 15,000 tons annually.
Expanding into new markets
The company operates from an IFS-certified facility and leverages partnerships to maintain consistent quality at scale. Following successful launches in German-speaking markets, the company plans to expand into the UK and France in early 2025, with exploratory partnerships underway for entry into the US and Asian markets.
Julian von Eckartsberg, Managing Director at Burda Principal Investments, explained, “Our investment in Planet A Foods reflects our commitment to supporting groundbreaking solutions that address critical global challenges like sustainable food production.
“We are excited to support Planet A Foods in scaling their business and expanding their brand ChoViva into new markets, driving growth, and building more resilient, climate-conscious food systems and supply chains in general on a global scale.”

Founded in 2021 by Drs. Sara and Maximilian Marquart, Planet A Foods aims to address environmental and economic issues linked to traditional cocoa farming. ChoViva, developed from sunflower seeds through a proprietary fermentation process, offers a product that mimics the taste and texture of chocolate while reducing carbon emissions by up to 80%.
Founding Partner at World Fund, Daria Saharova, noted, “Building world-class food tech is critical for the future of our planet. We urgently need to stop overfarming threatened natural resources like cocoa, yet scaling sustainable alternatives has proven difficult for most. Planet A Foods is an exception.”
Scaling sustainable food solutions
Planet A Foods has established collaborations with prominent companies, including Lindt, Deutsche Bahn, and Rewe Group, one of Germany’s largest supermarket chains. Rewe has already introduced private-label products featuring ChoViva, reflecting growing retailer interest in sustainable food solutions.
Marquart concluded, “Our mission remains unchanged: to provide sustainable food ingredients that are decoupled from price volatility and limited resources such as cocoa. This funding will enable us to further expand into new markets, ramp up production, and deliver at scale to global confectionery giants.”