Copenhagen’s REDUCED, a trailblazer in converting food and agriculture by-products into natural food ingredients through fermentation, has successfully raised €6M. This funding round saw contributions from new investor Novo Holdings and the Nordic flavor house Einar Willumsen, alongside continued support from existing investors Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) and Rockstart Agrifood.
Mark Durno, Managing Partner at AgriFood Rockstart, expressed enthusiasm for their fourth investment in REDUCED, praising the company for its innovative approach to creating healthier and more sustainable food solutions. “REDUCED exemplifies our commitment to investing in early-stage agrifood tech startups that are making a significant impact,” Durno stated.
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Revolutionizing Flavor and Sustainability
Founded in 2020 by William Anton Lauf Olsen and Emil Munck de Voss, REDUCED leverages fermentation technology to repurpose side streams from the food and agriculture industries into high-quality, natural food ingredients. The company’s proprietary process not only extracts unique umami flavors at a lower cost but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions.
REDUCED’s product lineup includes organic chicken stock concentrates from retired laying hens and vegetable stock concentrates from produce rejected by supermarkets due to appearance or size standards. Additionally, the company produces fermented umami sauces that elevate the flavor profiles of various foods. Currently, REDUCED supplies over 100 food service businesses and collaborates with leading food ingredient suppliers to distribute its innovative ingredients to manufacturers.
Utilizing Capital for Expansion and Innovation
The newly acquired funds will be directed towards advancing REDUCED’s technology platform, broadening its savory ingredient offerings, enhancing production capabilities, obtaining necessary certifications, and boosting sales and marketing efforts. Co-founder Emil Munck de Voss highlighted the transformative potential of this investment, stating, “This funding will enable us to expand our product range, drawing on our gastronomic heritage to create unique flavors that not only introduce exciting products to the market but also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and optimizing food production side streams.”
Investor Confidence
The investment from Novo Holdings, a company owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, underscores the growing interest in sustainable and health-conscious food production. Novo Holdings, with its extensive portfolio and commitment to improving public health and sustainability, alongside Einar Willumsen’s century-long expertise in flavor solutions, positions REDUCED for significant growth and impact in the food industry.
Rockstart, an early-stage investor focusing on purpose-driven founders, has supported REDUCED’s journey from the beginning, recognizing the company’s potential to disrupt the food sector with its sustainable and innovative flavor solutions.
With this €6M funding, the startup is set to continue its mission of transforming the food industry by creating sustainable, natural food ingredients that cater to the evolving tastes and environmental consciousness of consumers worldwide.
