NEW TECH FOODS

Dutch foodtech company The Protein Brewery has closed a €30 million Series B funding round to accelerate the commercialisation of its mycoprotein ingredient, Fermotein, and expand its production capacity.

The round saw participation from new investors Invest-NL and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), alongside existing backers Novo Holdings, Unovis Asset Management and Madeli.

The investment will be used to strengthen sales and application capabilities, support launches in the US and Europe, expand operations at the company’s Mijkenbroek facility and further develop the Fermotein innovation platform.

Thijs Bosch, CEO of The Protein Brewery, said: "This funding is a springboard for global expansion. With Fermotein, we are not just offering another protein – we are redefining how food is made: nutritious, sustainable and scalable at a lower cost."

"The Protein Brewery is ready to lead the protein and fiber transition. We are now entering a defining moment: all building blocks of operation are in place, and we are ready to accelerate."

Founded in 2020, The Protein Brewery uses proprietary fungal strains to produce Fermotein through a patented fermentation process. The company says its approach allows for more cost-efficient scaling compared with other alternative proteins. The ingredient is high in protein and fibre, and can be used across bakery, snacks, dairy alternatives, protein shakes, bars and meal replacements.

The company is preparing to launch Fermotein with customers in the US in the coming months, with further expansion planned in Singapore, the EU and UK, pending regulatory approval.

Investors emphasised the Netherlands’ growing role in sustainable protein innovation. Thomas Grotkjær, partner at Novo Holdings, highlighted: "The Protein Brewery has built the infrastructure, laid the groundwork and is now positioned to bring biotech-driven food innovation to the global stage. This funding fuels its ability to drive real impact in the food industry."

Daan Meijer, investment manager at Invest-NL, emphasised: "With its unique fermentation-based solution, The Protein Brewery stands out in the alternative protein space and strengthens the Netherlands’ leadership in food innovation. As a Dutch company driving the proteintransition, The Protein Brewery is setting a new standard in sustainability, a vision we are proud to support."

Daan van Lange, senior investment manager and team lead climate tech of the BOM, added: "We’ve supported The Protein Brewery since its inception, and seeing it scale from an idea into a full-fledged operation is remarkable. The Protein Brewery is a prime example of how local innovation can have global impact. And it’s happening in Brabant. The Scale-Up Plant of Europe: a leading powerhouse for foodtech scale ups and innovation."

Top image: © The Protein Brewery