Vivici, a Dutch ingredients startup, has secured €32.5m in Series A funding to help expand its precision fermentation-derived dairy protein business.
The startup is backed by dairy multinational Fonterra and nutrition, health, and beauty multinational DSM-Firmenich.
The funding round was led by APG, representing ABP, one of the Netherlands’ largest pension funds. Invest-NL and InnovationQuarter also participated. Existing investors DSM-Firmenich and New Zealand-based Fonterra continued their support.
Vivici has secured its first customer offtake agreements for dairy protein made through precision fermentation.
The company will use the funding to expand into new international markets, launch a second dairy protein ingredient, and build long-term manufacturing capabilities.
The startup uses precision fermentation, combining traditional fermentation with advanced biotechnology, to produce dairy proteins without the use of animals. This technology aims to meet global protein demands sustainably, maintaining high quality, taste, and affordability.
Through its proprietary Vivitein protein platform, Vivici seeks to enhance global dairy protein production, helping meet the dietary needs of a growing population with higher protein demands.
Vivici CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet said: “With this investment, we will continue on our path to turning the promise of precision fermentation into a commercial reality.
“This fundraise demonstrates the confidence investors have in both our mission and our capabilities.
“With our Vivitein protein platform, we’re bringing a new standard of protein to the market, one that will become a mainstay of consumer protein products.”
Vivitein BLG, an isolated beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) whey protein, is the first ingredient launched under Vivici’s Vivitein protein platform.
The ingredient enables innovations like clear, water-based protein drinks and vegan-friendly bars with textures similar to animal-derived products.
According to Vivici, this dairy protein offers significant environmental benefits, including an 86% reduction in water usage and a 68% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional dairy protein production methods.
Founded in 2023, Vivici aims to unlock the commercial potential of precision fermentation. The company plans to expand its product range with the upcoming launch of Vivitein LF, a lactoferrin-based ingredient, later this year.
