Greenforce acquires vegan egg startup Neggst ahead of Livekindly takeover

Greenforce has acquired the Berlin-based vegan egg startup Neggst. The deal is directly connected to Greenforce's own impending takeover by the US holding company Livekindly Collective.

Neggst's patented fava bean and pea-based egg alternatives have gained foodservice traction in Germany, France, and Spain. The company, founded in 2021, grew from research by co-founder Dr. Verónica García-Arteaga at Germany’s Fraunhofer IVV institute. It leverages fava beans, yellow peas, and sweet potatoes to produce separate vegan egg white, yolk, and encapsulation components, which are then combined. Its current product range includes vegan poached and scrambled eggs, egg bites, and patties. Neggst claims a European patent portfolio covering formulations for egg white, yolk, shell, poached egg, and liquid mixed egg.

The acquisition and investor transition

Greenforce acquired Neggst with financial backing. The sale was first referenced by law firm Clifford Chance in July, which stated the deal was carried out in connection with a financial investment in Greenforce. Neggst had previously raised €5 million in a 2022 seed round led by Green Generation Fund and reports total funding of around €7 million to date. It also received a loan grant from ZIM and a loan from Rentenbank.

Verónica García-Arteaga confirmed the transaction this week and indicated she is exiting Neggst post-takeover. In a LinkedIn post, she thanked investors, advisors, customers, and partners. "From our strongest position so far, together with our investors, we chose the wiser route for the product," García-Arteaga said. She added, "Neggst is now part of Greenforce, which brings a strong distribution network and a portfolio our products complete." Law firm Clifford Chance advised Green Generation Fund and Neggst’s other shareholders.

Strategic rationale and market context

The deal strengthens Greenforce’s portfolio ahead of its takeover by Livekindly Collective, which seeks profitable growth through mergers and acquisitions. Livekindly, which owns plant-based meat brands Oumph, Like, and Fry’s, announced a deal to acquire Greenforce on July 1. That transaction remains subject to regulatory approval, with the two companies operating independently until it clears. Once official, Neggst will gain access to Livekindly’s industrial manufacturing capacity and global distribution network.

This consolidation occurs against a backdrop of supply pressures in the conventional egg market. Avian flu and Newcastle disease have caused widespread egg shortages in Europe, with prices hitting a decade-long high last year. Meanwhile, demand for plant-based alternatives is growing, particularly in Germany. In 2025, sales of plant-based alternatives in Germany surpassed €1.7 billion, a 3% year-on-year increase. Germany buys more plant-based alternatives than any other European country.

Yet the plant-based egg category remains a tiny, fragmented part of the broader market. Only a handful of players exist in Europe, including Eat Just, The Bridge, and Le Papondu. The sector is undergoing significant consolidation. More than 90 companies in the alternative protein sector have been acquired, merged, fallen into insolvency, or shut down since September 2024. Livekindly Collective itself has been on an M&A spree in recent years and achieved its first month of profitability in September 2025, projecting a further 200% uptick this year. The group is prioritising profitable growth through its acquisition model.

Neggst will gain access to Livekindly’s industrial manufacturing capacity and global distribution network once the Greenforce takeover is officially completed.