Cultivated Biosciences, a Zurich-based biotech food startup, has announced a successful seed funding round of $5M (approximately €4.6M). The round was led by Navus Ventures, with participation from a strategic group of investors. This investment will fuel the development of the company’s innovative yeast cream, in collaboration with the food industry, ahead of its planned US market launch in 2025.
Tomas Turner, CEO of Cultivated Biosciences, emphasized the funding’s role in bringing their yeast cream to market. “This funding validates our innovative approach and enables us to introduce our revolutionary yeast cream to the market. We aim to make alternative dairy products appealing to traditional dairy consumers, not just to reduce CO2 emissions from dairy production but also to tap into a multi-billion dollar market opportunity,” Turner stated.
Advertisement
Addressing the Creaminess Challenge
Dairy production contributes to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and while plant-based alternatives are gaining traction, many fail to replicate the creaminess of traditional dairy products. Cultivated Biosciences aims to fill this gap with its patented emulsion from yeast, which improves the texture and stability of dairy-free products, replaces additives, and maintains taste neutrality.
Sustainable and Scalable Production
The company’s production process involves yeast biomass fermentation, a non-GMO, cost-effective, and scalable method. The resulting yeast cream contains fats, proteins, and fibers, all derived from yeast, and features a microstructure that mimics milk fat droplets. This ingredient is intended for use in the gastronomy and food industry, enhancing various products including coffee creamers, milk, and ice cream.
Expanding to the US and European Markets
With successful tests in various products, Cultivated Biosciences plans to introduce its cream to the US market in 2025 and the European market in 2026, pending regulatory approval. The company is transitioning from the research and development stage to market entry, aiming to revolutionize the dairy alternative sector.
Founded in 2021 by Dimitri Zogg, Tomas Turner, and Lucie Rein, Cultivated Biosciences is poised to make a significant impact on the food industry by offering a sustainable, appealing alternative to dairy products, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and meeting the growing demand for plant-based options.
