Spain

Barcelona's UOBO, a food-tech startup on a mission to revolutionize food manufacturing with alternatives to eggs, has raised €500,000 to develop new products.

© UOBO
Investments & Finance

UOBO Secures Six-Digit Funding, Joins Forces with Cubiq Foods to Create Egg Replacers for Manufacturers

Barcelona’s UOBO, a food tech startup on a mission to revolutionize food manufacturing with alternatives to eggs, has raised €500,000 in a seed funding round led by Enzo Ventures. The new funding will be used to develop new products and expand operations. This January, the startup launched liquid plant-based eggs for food service, which have garnered impressive feedback. The product, made with canola and potato protein, is said to replace eggs in multiple dishes, from omelets to pastries, while offering an authentic taste. “We are thrilled to have the support of Enzo Ventures as we scale our business and bring our innovative solutions to the market,” said Sergi M., co-founder of UOBO. Replacing eggs in manufacturing UOBO has also announced a partnership with the food-tech …

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Heura

© Heura
Company News

Heura Expands Beyond Plant-Based Meat, Transforming Ultra-Processed Foods With Patent-Pending Technology

Spain’s Heura Foods, best known for producing plant-based meat alternatives, has announced it will be expanding into new categories to improve nutritional density and transform foods often labelled as ultra-processed. The company will use its patent-pending technology to replace ingredients such as additives, modified starches, and saturated fats with plant proteins and healthy lipids. The technology works by using thermo-mechanical techniques to structure product textures in categories where this was not previously possible. At Future Food Tech London on October 2, Heura unveiled prototypes of cheese, snacks, and pasta made with the technology. The company explained its vision to enhance nutritional density without compromising on taste at a live demo kitchen attended by over 100 industry leaders. Revolutionising health solutions The technology will not just …

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Mylkcubator: More Than Mylk, a program focusing on alternative food ingredients made with cellular agriculture technologies has introduced the next cohort of the program's third edition.

© Eatable Adventures
Startups, Accelerators & Incubators

Pascual Innoventures Invests $2M in Mylkcubator, Third Edition Launches Beyond Alt-Milk

Mylkcubator: More Than Mylk, a program focusing on alternative food ingredients made with cellular agriculture technologies by the Spanish companies Pascual Innoventures and Eatable Adventures, has introduced its next cohort of startups focusing on sustainable ingredients. Pascual Innoventures has invested over $2 million in the Mylkcubator program across all three editions, including a recent investment in the precision fermentation startup Onego Bio. According to the firm, the Mylkcubator ecosystem has generated a total value of $305 million and raised $104.5 million, “underscoring the success and global significance of the program.” Gabriel Torres Pascual, CEO of Pascual Innoventures, commented, “Our goal is to continue identifying and supporting innovative companies that can offer sustainable solutions to the current challenges in the food sector while strengthening an ecosystem …

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Heura plant-based burgers

© Heura
Studies & Numbers

Heura Study Finds 85% of Spaniards Would Consume More Plant-Based Meat If They Knew Its Benefits

Spanish plant-based meat brand Heura recently conducted a representative survey which reportedly found that 85% of Spaniards would consume more plant-based meat if they knew its benefits. Respondents said they were in favour of eating plant-based meat if it had a high nutritional value, a taste similar to animal meat, and a low environmental impact. 71% said they thought plant-based meat was healthier than conventional meat, while 56% had consumed it within the last six months. Among those aged 24 to 35, acceptance rates were even higher, with just 1.6% saying they would never consume plant-based meat. However, the survey found that most Spaniards were unaware of the environmental impact of eating less meat, with many incorrectly believing that measures such as recycling have a …

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Food tech accelerator Eatable Adventures has released a new report on the Future of Dairy

© Image courtesy of Eatable Adventures
Studies & Numbers

New Report “The Future of Dairy” Advocates for Disruptive Technologies & Partnerships to Address Industry Challenges

A new report on the future of dairy released by the food tech accelerator Eatable Adventures calls for industry leaders to adopt forward-thinking practices and integrate plant-based, fermented, and cell-based dairy innovations for better sustainability and efficiency. The report highlights three main areas to transform the industry: moving toward more sustainable practices, developing and adopting hybrid products (combining traditional and alternative ingredients), and forming strategic innovation partnerships to drive these changes successfully. Scaling emerging technologies However, the study, which compiles insights from medium to large dairy companies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia, has found that the industry is divided on adopting new technologies. Industry leaders pointed out that competition presents a primary challenge to adopting these technologies within the traditional dairy sector and from …

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Novameat shredded beef

© Novameat
Investments & Finance

Novameat Secures €17.4M in Oversubscribed Round, Launches Improved Shredded Plant-Based Beef

Barcelona’s Novameat, a B2B company specializing in different cuts of plant-based chicken, beef, and turkey, announces it has raised €17.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A round led by Sofinnova Partners and Forbion via its BioEconomy Fund. Existing investors like Unovis Asset Management, Praesidium, and Rubio Impact Ventures also reinvested, betting on the company’s realistic alternatives to meat. The new capital will allow Novameat to expand its product range, including the launch of a new, improved shredded plant-based beef product — Shredded Nova-b*ef — on September 16th. The funds will also help boost commercial activities in new regions and scale production using its proprietary MicroForce technology. Giuseppe Scionti, CEO and founder of Novameat, commented, “This funding marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we …

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BeanStalk Foods, a new plant-based meat brand inspired by Beyond Meat, Moving Mountains, and Heura, is entering the European market with a wide range of plant-based meat products.

Image courtesy of BeanStalk Foods
Products & Launches

New Plant-Based Meat Brand ‘BeanStalk’ Enters European Market with Diverse Range from Burgers to Pastrami

BeanStalk Foods, a new plant-based meat brand inspired by Beyond Meat, Moving Mountains, and Heura, is entering the European market with a wide range of plant-based meat products that the company describes as delicious and high-quality alternatives to animal proteins. Supported by a large international business group with operations in Madrid and Barcelona, a production facility near Shanghai, China, and a sister company in New York to market its products in North America, the company presents itself as a global entity producing and distributing high-quality plant-based meat. After a year of product development and adhering to European regulations, its portfolio includes traditional items like hamburgers and meatballs and less common options such as pastrami, breaded calamari, and pulled meat. It also offers salami and chorizo …

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Heura Fish in wrap

Image courtesy of Heura
Studies & Numbers

Catalonia’s Alternative Protein Sector on the Rise with €269 Million in Revenue

A recent report on the alternative protein sector in Catalonia by the public agency Catalonia Trade & Investment reveals that the industry comprises 103 companies employing nearly 1,000 people and collectively generating €269 million in revenue. With a global market projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, the report says Catalonia is well-placed to capitalize on this immense opportunity with its community of food innovators, from small startups to established meat and dairy companies to ingredient suppliers. The authors note that despite recent economic uncertainties, the outlook for the plant-based sector remains positive due to sustained consumer demand, growth in emerging markets, and innovative product improvements. “In 2023, the market revenue generated by meat substitutes (plant-based meat) in the European Union (EU-27) amounted to about US$ 1.96 …

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Cargill to compete with plant-based companies

© Cargill
Protein

Cargill Seeks Profitability with Business Split and Alternative Protein Focus

US agribusiness giant Cargill reportedly plans to split its business into three operating units instead of the current five: Food, Ag & Trading, and a Specialised Portfolio focused on animal nutrition and health. According to Reuters, Cargill and other agricultural merchants are facing financial and operational difficulties due to commodity crop prices approaching four-year lows, resulting in fallen crop processing margins and squeezing Cargill’s profit margins. Alternative protein focus Cargill, the world’s third-largest meat producer, has been active in the plant-based and alternative protein space for several years. In addition to offering a portfolio of plant-based protein ingredients, fibers, texturizers, plant-based oils, and fats, the company invests in companies developing sustainable food solutions. Over the past few years, the Minnesota-based firm has invested in various …

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Frías Nutrición

© Frías Nutrición
Investments & Acquisitions

Refresco to Acquire Private Label Plant-Based Milk Manufacturer Frías Nutrición

Global beverage solutions provider Refresco has announced an agreement to acquire private-label plant-based milk manufacturer Frías Nutrición from Alantra Private Equity and the Frías founding family. Based in Spain, Frías produces milk alternatives made from oats, soy, almond, rice, hazelnut, and coconut. The company’s facility in Burgos employs around 250 people, supplying products to major retailers in Spain and beyond. The transaction is expected to close later this year, but will be subject to regulatory approval. The financial terms have not been disclosed. Refresco is currently best known for offering products such as juices, carbonated soft drinks, and mineral water. The company is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and has production facilities in Europe, North America, and Australia. Through the acquisition, Refresco hopes to strengthen …

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GALY banner

© GALY
Investments & Finance

Inditex, Owner of Fashion House Zara, Invests in GALY’s Cultivated Cotton from Plant Cells

Spanish multinational clothing company Inditex, owner of Zara and Massimo Dutti, among other fashion brands, has announced a minority stake investment (the sum has not been disclosed) in GALY, a Brazilian and US biotech producing cultivated cotton from plant cells. GALY was founded in 2019 by Luciano Bueno, a former Deloitte executive. The startup has raised over $33.5 million from notable investors such as Sam Altman, former president of Y Combinator and current CEO of OpenAI, John Doerr from VC Kleiner Perkins, and investment funds such as Material Impact, Agronomics, and Brinc. According to Reuters, Inditex CEO Oscar Garcia Maceiras says the move aligns with the company’s goal of using 25% new-generation materials by 2030. Inditex has already invested in the sustainable material companies Findland’s Infinite …

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Vanetta Food team

© Vanetta Food
Investments & Finance

Spanish Foodtech Vanetta Food Closes  €400,000 Finance Round

Vanetta Food, a Spanish startup based in Galicia and dedicated to the foodtech sector, has closed an investment round of €400,000. Of the funding received, €200,000 came from the direct capital increase by mostly Galician business angels, such as Emilio Froján, María Souto and Fernando Orejón, among others. In addition, ENISA has pre-approved a loan of €150,000 and €50,000 from various grants from the Xunta de Galicia. The financing, which has been obtained in a record period thanks to the impact of the brand and the good acceptance by consumers, aims to consolidate the launch of the company in the Spanish national territory. A fast-growing company Vanetta Food was founded in 2023, developing the first plant-based factory in Galicia for products based on traditional vegetable …

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Awevo Foods, a Spanish plant-based eggs startup based in Madrid, has launched Awevo liquid eggs in two formats, 400 ml and 1000 ml.

© Awevo Foods
Products & Launches

Spanish Startup Awevo Cracks the Plant-Based EGGsperience with Potato Proteins, Launches First Product

Awevo Foods, (huevo being the Spanish word for egg, so pronunciation here being a-huevo) a Spanish plant-based egg startup based in Madrid, has launched its first product for the food service & hospitality sector (canal HORECA) and retail: Awevo liquid eggs in 400 and 1000 ml formats. Awevo’s plant-based eggs are said to be indistinguishable from conventional eggs, providing the same taste, texture, and appearance as their animal counterparts. Made primarily from potato protein, they contain neither cholesterol nor saturated fats. Described as versatile, they can be used to make scrambled eggs, omelets, cakes, and other dishes that traditionally require eggs. “They will challenge all your senses,” says the company on its website. A pipeline of egg products The startup has also unveiled Awevo Clara, …

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Spain’s MOA Foodtech, a B2B platform for alternative proteins and sustainable ingredients, announces the closure of a series A funding round led by the Dutch venture capital firm ICOS Capital.

Image courtesy of MOA Foodtech
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

MOA Foodtech Raises Funds to Scale AI-Driven Production of Highly Nutritious Microbial Proteins

Spain’s MOA Foodtech, a B2B platform for alternative proteins and sustainable ingredients, announces the closure of a Series A funding round led by the Dutch venture capital firm ICOS Capital. Notable investors ClaveMayor, Viscofan, SODENA, and Banco Sabadell also participated. Founded in 2021 in Pamplona, Navarra by Susana Sánchez (CSO), José María Elorza (CFO), and Bosco Emparanza (CEO), MOA Foodtech leverages precision fermentation, agrifood side streams, and AI to discover and deliver carbon-efficient microbial proteins and functional ingredients for the F&B industry. The financial boost aims to facilitate a comprehensive market launch targeting international customers. To do so, the company will expand its operations, including developing a commercialization strategy, production scale-up, and enhancing its AI platform, aiming to position itself at the forefront of sustainable …

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Salón del Queso Vegano will debut in Latin America by hosting its first international event in Colombia. 

Image courtesy of Singular Foods
Cheese Alternatives

Vegan Cheese Innovation to Take Center Stage in Colombia at Salón del Queso Vegano’s First LATAM Event

Salón del Queso Vegano (Vegan Cheese Salon), a pioneering event connecting innovators, producers, suppliers, industry professionals and cheese lovers that originated in Madrid, will make its Latin American debut with an upcoming event in Colombia.   Organized by the food design and innovation consultancy Singular Foods, the meeting will take place at Herbívoro, an upscale vegan restaurant in Bogotá, on August 29th and 30th, 2024. The event will host cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese pairings, workshops, and offering a unique opportunity for networking. Salón del Queso Vegano first took place in 2022, with vegan cheese startups Väcka, Mommus, and Vegasauria showcasing their innovations to F&B professionals interested in animal-free and sustainable food solutions.  Lyda Durango, vegan marketing specialist and event promoter, comments, “It’s a well-known …

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Heura Fish

Image courtesy of Heura
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Spanish Seafood Producers & Consumer Unions Claim Plant-Based Seafood Labelling is Deceptive

A group of over 20 Spanish seafood companies and consumer unions has accused plant-based seafood producers of misleading consumers through their labelling. The organisations — which include Apromar, Cepesca, Interfish, Conexmar, ConsumES, and more —- have announced their intention to join SAFE Food Advocacy Europe to urge European authorities to place stricter regulations on plant-based products. They say these foods should not be able to imitate fish or shellfish. While the companies claim their objections are mostly centred around the “deception” of consumers, there are clearly other factors at play. Conexmar says the marketing of plant-based seafood “may lead to unfair competition”, while Miguel López Crespo, the vice president of ConsumES, admits that “we are also concerned about the damage that this type of product …

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Palacios to use The EVERY Egg in its Spanish omelets

© The EVERY Co
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

“World’s Largest” Spanish Omelet Producer Partners with Every Co to Use the EVERY Egg

Grupo Empresarial Palacios Alimentación, which claims to be the world’s largest producer of Spanish omelets and string chorizo, has announced a commercial agreement with US biotech firm The Every Company. Following the agreement, Palacios will use the EVERY Egg — said to be the world’s first liquid egg product made using precision fermentation — in its flagship Spanish omelets. The egg alternative will also be incorporated into the research and development of new products. Palacios says it has a “firm commitment to innovation”, adding that the company is at the forefront when it comes to incorporating new innovations into traditional recipes. The EVERY Egg is said to provide a safe and reliable alternative to conventional chicken eggs, whose supply has been affected by issues such …

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Pink Albatross mango ice cream stick

© Pink Albatross

Company News

Spain’s Pink Albatross Announces “New Category” of Ice Creams Following International Growth

Pink Albatross, the Spanish company specialising in 100% plant-based ice cream, has announced what it claims is a new category of ice creams with “creamy ice creams that are 100% natural and scrumptious”. Under the slogan “Ahora vamos de este palo” (a play on words which translates as ‘Now we’re going this way’ but with palo also meaning stick, referring to the ice cream sticks), the new innovations include mango & passion fruit and strawberry & raspberry fruit bars alongside mini Belgian chocolate sticks in double chocolate and hazelnut flavours. Pink Albatross already has a solid presence in the Spanish market; the company secured a presence in 500 new points of sale, including new chains such as Alcampo, Carrefour Market, Dinosol, Upper, Sorli, and Valvi. …

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Taylor Swift Eras tour

©Taylor Swift on Instagram
Fairs & Events

Heura Brings Plant-Based Menu to Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” in Madrid

Taylor Swift will perform two concerts in Madrid on May 29 and 30 as part of her “Eras Tour” at the Bernabéu Stadium. Over 130,000 attendees are expected over the two days. At Swift’s request, the Bernabéu will offer a variety of meat-free dishes provided by Spanish plant-based meat company Heura. Promoting plant-based This initiative aligns with Swift’s history of promoting conscious consumption. In 2023, she showcased vegan clothing made from eco-friendly materials in New York. Last summer, Mexican plant-based startup Propel Foods provided food at her concerts in Mexico City, and she also featured vegan shrimp from the Ish Company at her concerts in Tampa, Florida.  Concertgoers in Madrid can expect a diverse menu featuring items like a burger with pickles, salsa, and vegan …

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Celium cultivated cellulose

© Celium
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Polybion Creates “Entirely New Category” With Global Launch of Celium Cultivated Cellulose

Spanish biomaterials producer Polybion has announced that its cultivated cellulose, Celium, is now available worldwide. The company claims the material is more than a leather alternative, and will create an “entirely new category” due to its unique properties. Celium is grown by feeding bacteria with agroindustrial fruit waste; the cells then self-organize and create a cellulose structure as a metabolic by-product. This structure undergoes a sustainable stabilization process, and the resulting leather-like material can be dyed, embossed, and tanned with chromium-free formulations using existing infrastructure. The material’s properties can be tailored for applications such as fashion, sportswear, and the automotive industry — for example, the thickness of the material can be controlled as it grows. Celium is plastic-free and has a much lower environmental impact …

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