Brewing the Future: Farmless Secures €4.8M to Redefine Alternative Proteins
Farmless, a dynamic Dutch startup pioneering alternative protein through cutting-edge fermentation technology, has secured a robust €4.8 million in seed funding, marking a pivotal step on its journey toward groundbreaking alternative protein products. This significant infusion follows closely on the heels of a €1.2 million pre-seed round just seven months ago.
The fresh capital injection is earmarked for establishing a pioneering pilot brewery in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. This strategic move positions Farmless to forge ahead in the development of its inaugural range of products poised to revolutionize the landscape of meat, dairy, and eggs.
Adnan Oner, the visionary founder and CEO, embarked on this venture in 2021 with a distinctive approach to fermentation-based food production. Unlike conventional methods relying on sugar, Farmless utilizes a unique liquid blend comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, and renewable energy. This innovative process circumvents the need for vast agricultural land and empowers Farmless to craft proteins with an astonishingly minuscule land footprint, up to 5,000 times less than beef.
One emphasizes the global reach of this approach, stating, “This allows for production anywhere in the world, so we can produce our feedstock wherever energy is most sustainable, affordable, and abundant.” The liquid form facilitates seamless transportation to local breweries, ensuring a streamlined supply chain and bolstering food security.
In 15 months, Farmless achieved notable milestones, including assembling a talented team of eight, establishing a compact R&D facility, and uncovering a versatile microorganism for diverse food applications.
The undisclosed valuation seed round, co-led by World Fund and Vorwerk Ventures, with participation from Revent and a cohort of angel investors, positions Farmless strategically for its next phase. Beyond the brewery, funds will fuel advancements in fermentation technology, recruitment initiatives, regulatory approvals, and the setup of a test kitchen for culinary exploration.
“Farmless is now working toward the commercialization of our first product,” declares Oner, underscoring the imminent collaborations with food companies keen to incorporate their innovative product. Navigating regulatory hurdles is a priority, and the insights gained from the pilot brewery will pave the way for their pioneering brewery.
Farmless joins the ranks of innovative companies securing new funding, reflecting the continued enthusiasm for alternative protein technology. Despite a decrease in deals, Farmless round, concluding in September within a remarkable two-month timeframe, underscores the persistent excitement in the sector.
Dr. Nadine Geiser, Principal at World Fund, lauds Farmless’s groundbreaking approach: “Moving away from sugar as a feedstock for fermentation represents a significant opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions of fermentation-based food production.” She emphasizes the pivotal role in addressing global emissions, as the farming and land use category receives just 12% of venture funding for climate despite contributing 22% of global emissions. Farmless stands as a beacon, poised to drastically reduce land use and enhance biodiversity on a global scale.
