Saudi-based deep-tech venture capital firm Beta Lab has participated in the €7 million ($8.1M) seed funding round for Nutropy, a French food-tech startup specializing in animal-free dairy proteins. The oversubscribed round was co-led by Big Pi Ventures and Zero Carbon Capital, with participation from existing investor Big Idea Ventures and other new backers including Wyngate, Paul Dischamp, and Novax.
Nutropy is tackling the growing gap between global dairy demand and sustainable supply by using precision fermentation to produce milk caseins without animals.
Targeting The Global Dairy Gap
The global dairy industry faces significant challenges, including a sharp decline in the number of farmers and estimates of a potential 30 million-tonne milk shortage by 2030. Simultaneously, many plant-based dairy alternatives, particularly cheese, have struggled to meet consumer expectations for taste, meltability, and texture.
Nutropy aims to solve this by creating bio-identical milk proteins that provide the foundation for animal-free dairy products that match the functionality and nutrition of conventional dairy.
Precision Fermentation For ‘Cheeseable Milk’
Founded in 2021 by CEO Nathalie Rolland and CSO Dr. Maya Bendifallah, PhD, Nutropy uses microorganisms to produce caseins, the key proteins responsible for the stretch and meltability of cheese.
The company has developed expertise in producing functional casein aggregates, or micelles, which are essential for cheese’s texture and mouthfeel. This technology allows them to create a “cheeseable milk” powder, a plug-and-play solution that food manufacturers can mix with water and use with standard dairy-making equipment to create cheese.
The new funds will be used to scale up production, provide larger samples to food producers, and prepare for a commercial launch targeted for 2027. Nutropy is targeting regulatory approval in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Beta Lab’s Deep-Tech Vision
For Beta Lab, the investment aligns with its mission to back visionary founders using deep-tech innovation to solve global challenges. The Saudi VC firm expressed its support for Nutropy’s approach to transforming the food system.
“By producing milk caseins without animals, Nutropy is creating the foundation for a new generation of sustainable, nutritious, and delicious dairy ingredients,” Beta Lab stated. “We’re proud to support their journey toward a more sustainable food system.”
About Nutropy
Founded in 2021, Nutropy is a French food-tech startup that leverages precision fermentation to produce animal-free milk proteins, specifically caseins. The company aims to create sustainable dairy alternatives that offer the same taste, texture, and nutritional value as traditional dairy products, starting with cheese.
About Beta Lab
Beta Lab is a Riyadh-based venture capital firm founded in 2022. It focuses on the intersection between deep tech and traditional sectors, investing in visionary entrepreneurs and creative minds to bring their innovative ideas to life and disturb the status quo.
Source: Green Queen
