Oobli and Ingredion collaboration aims to enhance sugar reduction solutions with next-generation sweet proteins

Oobli, the first company to successfully develop a sweet protein platform, has partnered with Ingredion, a global leader in ingredient solutions, to accelerate the availability of healthier, great-tasting, and cost-effective sweetener systems. By combining Oobli’s sweet proteins with natural sweeteners like stevia, the partnership aims to revolutionize sugar reduction in food and beverages.

Ingredion Ventures, Lever VC, and Sucden Ventures have joined existing key investors to close an $18 million funding round, further bolstering Oobli’s expansion in the food and beverage sector.

“Sweet proteins are a long-overdue addition to the toolkit of better-for-you sweeteners,” commented Ali Wing, CEO, Oobli. “Working with Ingredion’s best-in-class teams to pair natural sweeteners with our novel sweet proteins will deliver game-changing solutions in this important, growing, and timely category.”

Unlike traditional sugar alternatives, sweet proteins offer a great-tasting, functional alternative that seamlessly integrates with existing sweetener systems. Their use in sodas, baked goods, yogurts, candies, and other applications allows food manufacturers to achieve optimal sweetness levels, meet nutrition targets, and manage costs efficiently.

“We've long been at the forefront of innovation in sugar reduction solutions, and our work with sweet proteins is an exciting new chapter in that journey,” added Nate Yates, VP and GM Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification, CEO Pure Circle at Ingredion. “Whether we're enhancing existing sweetener systems with sweet proteins or using our established sweeteners to unlock new possibilities, we see incredible synergies across these platforms.”

Oobli and Ingredion recently conducted extensive testing of several co-developed products, gathering valuable consumer feedback that ultimately led to this strategic partnership. Next month, the two companies will showcase some of their innovative sweet protein and stevia-based treats at Future Food Tech in San Francisco on 13-14 March 2025.

This partnership follows Oobli’s recent regulatory milestones, including receiving FDA GRAS “no questions” letters for two sweet proteins, monellin and brazzein. These confirmations validate their safety for use as sweeteners in food and beverage products.

In addition to its regulatory and partnership advancements, Oobli has secured US$18 million in Series B1 funding, with Ingredion Ventures, Lever VC, and Sucden Ventures joining its investor base. Existing investors, including Khosla Ventures, Piva Capital, and B37 Ventures, also participated in the round. The funding will support Oobli’s efforts to scale sweet protein applications, both as a standalone sugar alternative and in combination with other natural sweeteners developed in partnership with Ingredion.