Dutch microalgae producer Phycom secures €9M+ from Invest-NL, others

Dutch microalgae producer Phycom has secured an investment of over €9M from key partners. The investment will allow the company to scale up its production of constant, top-tier quality microalgae on an industrial scale. 

Among the investors are Corbion, Phase2.earth, Invest-NL, and Invest International. According to the company, this fresh capital will help expand marketing activities, and fund technology development.

Getting to know Phycom

Since its founding in 2008, Phycom has provided the B2B food and feed industry with microalgae products and cultivation optimisation services. The company claims to offer innovative algae ingredients that enhance speciality production.

Apart from production, Phycom is involved in projects that study algae’s functionality, market applicability, and product applications. One of its partners is Wageningen University and Research. 

Phycom’s modular system cultivates multiple microalgae species simultaneously, ensuring high-yield output and continuous availability of nutritious food ingredients. The fully closed system minimises environmental impact and guarantees year-round production.

Within the past four years, Phycom has built two production facilities in Veenendaal, demonstrating the scalability and feasibility of its microalgae production technology. 

Support from investors

Ruud Peerbooms, a strategic partner and president of Corbion Algae Ingredients, says his company uses algae fermentation to enhance nutrition while preserving the world’s limited resources. Peerbooms says he looks forward to collaborating with Phycom, given the potential its technology promises.

“We believe combining complementary strengths through this collaborative partnership will help us continue to redefine what’s possible through algae-based technologies,” says Peerbooms.

Boudewijn Poelmann, the founder of investment fund Phase2.earth, shares a similar view. Phase2.earth also believes that microalgae will be a crucial ingredient in future foods.

“Through this investment, Phase2 has taken a step to strengthen our portfolio in the food transition,” Poelmann says.

Invest-NL investment associate Daan Meijer echoes the sentiment. He explains that Invest-NL is proud to add Phycom to its investment portfolio because of the company’s unique technology and large-scale production, which contributes to providing an alternative source of protein for sustainable food systems.

Meanwhile, the head of equity at Invest International, Eelco Benink, talks about how investing in Phycom fits their AgriFood strategy, saying it serves as an example of “Dutch Solutions for Global Challenges.”

“Stepping in this together with Invest-NL, the investment creates direct jobs in the Netherlands, enabling the company to develop an international expansion plan,” Benink says.

Apart from these new investors, all existing shareholders also renewed their support for the company in this funding round.