Delft-based Vivici announced that it has successfully concluded its seed funding round for an undisclosed amount. This funding round was supported by founding investors DSM-Firmenich Venturing and Fonterra.
Vivici focuses on addressing the increasing global demand for sustainable proteins. Using the funds, the company says it will endeavour to bring animal-free dairy proteins produced by precision fermentation to the market.
The company predicts that the world will require almost twice as much protein by 2050. This requirement creates a significant challenge for current protein production methods. Current existing approaches cannot expand sustainably to meet this surge in demand.
Vivici aims to achieve sustainable, efficient and safe global food production. To that end, it offers alternative protein sources as an eco-friendly solution, which also works with traditional farming.
Becoming a precision fermentation leader
Vivici is a B2B ingredient provider. It offers food and beverage companies animal-free dairy proteins crafted through precision fermentation – an innovative blend of traditional fermentation and advanced biotechnology.
This technique is employed in pharmaceuticals and culinary components, such as insulin, bread and cheese production enzymes, natural flavours, essential amino acids, and vitamins.
Through precision fermentation, Vivici can sustainably generate animal-free protein. It ensures a dependable provision of nourishing and proteins. This method serves as a substitute for relying on animal farming for protein production.
Vivici is headquartered at the Biotech Campus Delft. The company operates a dairy protein application lab in the Food Valley at NIZO food research. This strategic positioning allows Vivici to tap into the Netherlands’ resources.
It includes fundamental and practical expertise and production scaling facilities. The company also has access to professional individuals and a promising investment environment.
CEO of Vivici, Stephan van Sint Fiet, envisions the joint effort as a way to become a prominent figure in precision fermentation.
“I’m thrilled to work with such an experienced team that knows what it takes to not only develop but manufacture, register and commercialise great ingredients. Together, we will build Vivici into a precision fermentation leader that contributes to a future-proof food system,” says Sint Fiet.
Pioneering dairy innovation
Fonterra Chief Innovation & Brand Officer, Komal Mistry-Mehta, says the partnership will make the three companies pioneers in dairy innovation.
“Vivici is an exciting opportunity to combine DSM-Firmenich’s world-leading precision fermentation expertise with Fonterra’s world-leading dairy science and technology. This partnership aligns well with the Co-op’s strategy to be a leader in dairy innovation and science,” says Mistry-Mehta.
Echoing Mistry-Mehta’s sentiments, Managing Director of DSM-Firmenich Venturing, Pieter Wolters, also expresses joy in becoming Vivici’s partner.
“We are thrilled to be a founding investor in Vivici BV’s Series Seed capital raise. Vivici has the foundation for success, and builds on multiple years of joint technology and application development, and is now well-positioned as an agile startup company,” says Wolters.
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