On 25 February 2025, Dutch food ingredients startup Vivici has secured €32.5 million of Series A capital to scale its precision fermentation dairy protein business.
The round was led by APG on behalf of pension scheme ABP and Invest-NL, with InnovationQuarter and current shareholders DSM-Firmenich and Fonterra also participating.
Vivici will deploy the investment into new global industries, its second dairy protein ingredient, and establish long-term manufacturing capacities. Vivici has already won its first customers' offtake contracts for its dairy proteins, manufactured with precision fermentation – a biotech-driven process mimicking traditional fermentation but without using animals.
The firm's maiden commercial product, Vivitein BLG, is an isolated whey protein (beta-lactoglobulin) aimed at complementing dairy sector protein manufacturing to meet the increased global demand for high-quality protein. The product boasts of delivering substantial environmental advantages over traditional dairy protein manufacturing methods, such as 86% reduced water use and a 68% reduction in carbon footprint.
Stephan van Sint Fiet, Vivici CEO, stated: "With this investment, we're further along on the path to making the promise of precision fermentation a commercial success. This fundraiser is evidence that investors believe in our mission and ability. With our Vivitein protein platform, we're introducing a new standard of protein to consumers – one that will become ubiquitous in consumer protein products."
Lodewijk Meens, senior portfolio manager of APG Netherlands Energy Transition & Biodiversity fund, also commented: "The Vivitein protein platform is a very attractive package of sustainability, consumer and commercial advantages. This makes it a compelling proposition for food businesses wishing to tap new potential today and in the future."
As per Coherent Market Insights, the precision fermentation industry is anticipated to grow at a rate of 40.8% CAGR during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032 due to rising demand for plant-based and cultured meat substitutes. It is projected to be worth US$ 5.93 Bn in 2025 and anticipated to reach USD 65.07 Bn in 2032.
The precision fermentation sector is poised for rapid growth over the next few years. This new tech enables manufacturers to produce all kinds of foods through fermentation methods with microbes such as yeast and bacteria to grow cellular proteins, fats, and other food ingredients directly without the use of conventional farming states CMI research advisor Yash Doshi.
