Vivici Raises €34 Million to Innovate in Precision Fermentation

2025-02-26 bio

Amsterdam, Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
Dutch startup Vivici’s recent funding round aims to enhance sustainable dairy protein production, reducing environmental impact with 86% less water usage and a 68% lower carbon footprint.

Sector and Innovation Approach

Operating at the intersection of foodtech and agritech, Vivici specializes in precision fermentation technology to produce dairy proteins without animals. Based in Leiden, Netherlands [3], the company develops sustainable alternatives to traditional dairy production through a refined brewing process where microbes are cultivated to create animal proteins [1]. The startup’s flagship product, Vivitein™ BLG, has already demonstrated remarkable environmental benefits, achieving 86% reduction in water usage and a 68% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional dairy protein production methods [2].

Market Position and Expansion Plans

The Series A funding round, led by APG on behalf of ABP and Invest-NL, with participation from InnovationQuarter and existing shareholders dsm-firmenich and Fonterra [3], positions Vivici to target the global active nutrition market, currently valued at US $28.4 billion as of 2023 [2]. The company has successfully tested its process in a 75,000-liter fermenter at the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant in Ghent, Belgium [5], demonstrating its capability for industrial-scale production. CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet emphasizes the market potential, stating that ‘the whey protein market, which is our closest proxy, that’s a $13 billion market already’ [1].

Product Pipeline and Future Developments

Following the successful launch of Vivitein™ BLG in the United States [1], Vivici is now preparing to introduce its second product, Vivitein™ LF (lactoferrin), scheduled for launch in the second half of 2025 [5]. The lactoferrin market currently represents a half-billion-dollar opportunity [5], with applications extending beyond food and beverages to personal care and cosmetic uses. The company has already secured its first customer offtake agreements [2] and obtained self-GRAS status for beta-lactoglobulin [5], marking significant milestones in its commercialization journey.

Strategic Impact and Industry Position

Since its founding in 2023 [2], Vivici has rapidly established itself as a significant player in the precision fermentation space. The company’s technology promises to sustainably meet the protein needs of the world’s growing population without compromising on price, taste, or nutritional quality [3]. Lodewijk Meens, senior portfolio manager at APG Netherlands Energy Transition & Biodiversity fund, validates this approach, noting that ‘The Vivitein™ protein platform offers a compelling package of sustainability, consumer, and commercial benefits’ [2].

Bronnen

food technology protein innovation