FOOD FOUNDERS Studio closes €4 million funding round

FOOD FOUNDERS Studio closed an oversubscribed €4 million funding round. The capital will support the studio's next ventures and its search for viable food technologies.

The funding round was backed by family offices and angel investors. The studio, which is supported by EIT Food, a European Union co-funded initiative, is expanding its technology search to include startups and corporate R&D teams. Corporate R&D submissions can include programs that have stalled or been put on hold.

How the studio builds ventures from science

FOOD FOUNDERS Studio is a Zurich-based venture builder that creates B2B food and beverage technology companies from existing science. Its process starts with problems food and beverage manufacturers want solved. The studio then searches for technology to address those problems.

Technology from startups and corporate R&D is assessed against industrial, technical, and commercial criteria. The studio identifies industry problems, finds relevant technology, and assesses technical performance, commercial case, and IP viability before recruiting leadership and co-founding ventures. It brings together industry needs, technology, founding teams, and industry partners. The studio has drawn on university and research institute science. Its customer is already present, which the studio believes increases the chance of success and impact.

SentiaNova as the first validated venture

SentiaNova is the studio's first venture. It was launched within a year of the studio's founding after scouting more than 100 technologies and advancing nine to validation. The venture is built on neutral plant protein technology licensed from a European university. It removes unwanted off-flavors at the source.

Off-flavors remain a recurring formulation problem for pulse proteins, and large suppliers are competing on taste. SentiaNova has recruited a CEO. The venture made samples available, engaged the market, and is working toward commercial production. It is also closing its own funding round within a year of launch.

Expanding access to stalled and external R&D

The studio is now scouting technologies from startups and corporate R&D teams, including stalled programs. This expanded search aims to address unmet needs in food and beverage manufacturing. The studio aims to secure technologies and put the right team around opportunities meeting tangible industry needs.

The studio is recruiting a CEO and co-founder for its second company while advancing its technology search to include startups and corporate R&D teams with stalled programs.