Vivici raises €32.5 million in Series A funding to scale precision fermentation dairy protein platform

Vivici, a Dutch food ingredients startup specializing in precision fermentation dairy proteins, has secured €32.5 million (approximately US$33.7 million) in Series A funding. The round was led by APG on behalf of ABP, one of the world's largest pension funds, with participation from Invest-NL and InnovationQuarter. Existing shareholders dsm-firmenich and Fonterra also continued their support in the funding round.

The new capital will support Vivici’s plans to expand its presence in international markets, establish long-term manufacturing capabilities, and launch its second precision fermentation-derived dairy protein ingredient later in 2025. The company’s first commercial product, Vivitein BLG, is an isolated whey protein (beta-lactoglobulin) developed using precision fermentation. This technology enables the production of dairy proteins without the use of animals, offering significant sustainability benefits compared to conventional dairy production methods.

With the funding now secured, Vivici will focus on scaling up production and expanding its market reach. The company has already secured initial customer offtake agreements for Vivitein BLG, which targets the active nutrition category. The global active nutrition market was valued at US$28.4 billion in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 8.5% expected to continue in the coming years.

Vivici’s upcoming product, Vivitein LF, a lactoferrin ingredient, is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2025. The introduction of Vivitein LF is part of Vivici's broader strategy to expand its protein portfolio and cater to growing consumer demand for high-quality, sustainable protein alternatives.

Vivici’s approach to dairy protein production is based on precision fermentation, a technology that merges traditional fermentation techniques with modern biotechnology. This process allows for the production of specific proteins, such as beta-lactoglobulin, without relying on animal agriculture.

Compared to conventional dairy protein production, Vivitein BLG offers notable sustainability advantages. According to Vivici, the product uses 86% less water and results in a carbon footprint that is 68% lower than traditional dairy production methods. These reductions in resource consumption and emissions could play a key role in addressing the environmental impact associated with conventional dairy farming.

The company’s Vivitein platform is designed to complement existing dairy protein production rather than replace it entirely. By providing animal-free dairy proteins with similar taste, texture, and nutritional properties to those derived from milk, Vivici aims to meet the increasing demand for diverse protein sources while contributing to more sustainable food systems.

APG, representing ABP, led the Series A round, citing the strong alignment between Vivici’s mission and the fund’s sustainability objectives. Lodewijk Meens, senior portfolio manager at APG Netherlands Energy Transition & Biodiversity fund, noted that Vivici’s Vivitein protein platform offers a compelling combination of sustainability, consumer appeal, and commercial potential.

Invest-NL and InnovationQuarter also joined the round, reflecting growing institutional interest in precision fermentation as a means to address food sustainability challenges. The continued involvement of dsm-firmenich and Fonterra, both founding shareholders, highlights ongoing confidence in Vivici’s long-term business strategy and technology.

Vivici was founded in 2023 with the goal of realizing the commercial potential of precision fermentation for dairy proteins. The company’s leadership team, headed by CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet, includes experienced professionals with backgrounds in ingredient applications and food biotechnology.

Van Sint Fiet stated that the latest funding round demonstrates investor confidence in Vivici’s ability to bring precision fermentation dairy proteins to market. “With this investment, we will continue on our path to turning the promise of precision fermentation into a commercial reality. Our Vivitein protein platform brings a new standard of protein to the market—one that we believe will become a mainstay of consumer protein products,” he said.

Vivici’s first product, Vivitein BLG, is specifically aimed at the active nutrition sector, where there is growing demand for protein-rich products such as clear protein drinks and vegan-friendly protein bars. The company’s technology allows for the creation of these products with taste and texture profiles comparable to those made with animal-derived ingredients.

Looking ahead, Vivici is preparing for the launch of Vivitein LF later in 2025, further diversifying its product portfolio. The introduction of lactoferrin is expected to open additional market opportunities, particularly in segments where immune-supporting and functional dairy ingredients are in demand.

(Main image shows the production of Vivici's protein at one of its partners, BBEPP (Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant) in Gent, Belgium)