Willicroft has seen enormous success this year with its vegan cheeses in retail in the UK, and throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Here founder Brad Vanstone discusses his brand’s journey, the crowdfunder which is now at 50%, and the plan to transition cheese production from nut-based to legumes.
Willicroft Announces Closure After Six Years of Operations
Amsterdam-based plant-based cheese company Willicroft has officially announced its closure following difficulties in meeting fundraising targets in 2024. The company, founded in 2018 by Brad Vanstone, created sustainable alternatives to dairy inspired by traditional cheese-making techniques, but ultimately could not achieve the financial viability required to continue operations. In a public statement on Linkedin, Vanstone described the decision to close as a difficult one. “2024 was a tough year for Willicroft. After failing to meet our fundraising goals, we made the difficult decision to sell the company,” he wrote. Reflecting on the company’s trajectory, he acknowledged its contributions to the plant-based sector while also noting the challenges it faced in scaling. Willicroft began as a small operation in Vanstone’s kitchen in Amsterdam, drawing inspiration from …