Barcelona-based Heura Foods, a startup that produces 100 per cent plant-based, sustainable, and healthy food products, has secured a €20M loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The operation is backed by InvestEU, an EU programme that aims to unlock over €372B in investment by 2027.
It will prioritise the EU’s strategic objectives, such as the European Green Deal, digital transformation, and social projects related to education, health, and housing.
“The EIB’s support for innovation and biotechnology is key to Europe’s technological leadership. With this agreement, we are boosting the dynamism of the startup ecosystem in Spain and Europe and responding to new consumer needs by developing new sustainable food products,” says Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB Group.
Fund utilisation
The funding will support the development and commercialisation of sustainable and healthy food products, 100 per cent plant-based.
The loan will also fund Heura’s R&D&I program to develop plant-based alternatives to meat, cheese, and other animal products, as well as items with a higher protein content than those typically available in supermarkets.
The Spanish company aims to provide healthy alternatives to traditional meat and popular processed foods using protein from legumes and healthy fats.
The loan will help Heura increase its production capacity by funding equipment needed for its labs and co-manufacturers in Spain. Overall, this agreement will support healthier and more sustainable food systems in Europe.
“This financing agreement with Heura is a clear example of how the EIB is stepping up its support for companies that are at the forefront of the bioeconomy sector, driving innovation and sustainability across the entire value chain. By investing in the development of new plant-based food products, the EIB is also contributing to a more sustainable and healthy food system in Europe and the overall food security of the European Union”, says EIB Director of Equity, Growth Capital and Project Finance Alessandro Izzo.
Heura Foods: Revolutionising food system
Founded by activists Marc Coloma and Bernat Añaños in April 2017, Heura Foods is a food-tech company on a mission to revolutionise the food system and eliminate animals from protein production.
The company’s Mediterranean culinary influence is reflected in its products featuring extra virgin olive oil, clean labels, high nutritional values, and rich flavors.
With a global presence in over 22,000 points of sale across 20 countries, Heura Foods claims to be actively contributing to the transition towards a more sustainable protein landscape.
The company is expanding the plant-based category across Europe.
“Innovation is our tool to live longer and better. We are committed to simple processes, legumes, healthy fats, and science in the service of collective well-being. Our goal is to democratize food that is tasty, nutritious, and aligned with today’s challenges”, says co-founder and CEO of Heura Foods, Marc Coloma.
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