Berlin-based foodtech startup ingarden has secured a €1.2 million seed extension, marking a pivotal step in its mission to combat nutrient deficiencies with its innovative NutriMed™ technology.
The funding round was led by prominent players in the food industry, including Gemüsering Stuttgart GmbH, a notable advocate for fresh and sustainable produce. Other notable investors included the founders of Ankerkaut and Invincible Brands, as well as the CEO of Kitchen Stories. Many existing investors have also reaffirmed their confidence by participating again.
“We are combating nutrient deficiencies with our self-developed and GMO-free NutriMed™ technology,” says Christian Saitner, Co-founder and CEO of ingarden. “With our seed pads, you can grow nutrient-optimized mini-vegetables in automated cultivation systems right in the kitchen.”
Founded in 2021 by Mariana Ferreira & Christian Saitner (CEO) to address the nutritional inadequacies prevalent in industrial agriculture, ingarden focuses on cultivating nutrient-dense sprouts, microgreens, and vegetables directly in consumers’ homes.
The startup’s flagship product is a fully automated mini-garden designed for home kitchens, enabling users to harvest fresh, vitamin-rich produce in just seven days.
According to ingarden, many consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the taste and nutritional quality of industrially farmed produce, a sentiment echoed in alarming statistics from Germany. According to the National Consumption Study II and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, 79% of men and 65% of women in Germany have a vitamin B9 deficiency, while 75% of women suffer from iron deficiencies.
He emphasised that ingarden’s technology ensures seeds are rich in bioavailable nutrients, offering measurable health benefits naturally and sustainably. The system eschews synthetic vitamins and packaging waste, focusing on premium-quality, long-lasting design.
The new funding will accelerate ingarden’s efforts to integrate its nutraceutical and biological expertise into the commercial production of fresh vegetables. The company is also committed to achieving commercialisation standards akin to organic-certified products, a challenging yet essential milestone.
“We still have a lot of work to do before we have demonstrably healthier vegetables, sprouts and herbs commercialised in the same way that products with organic labels are today,” explains Saitner.
With this funding boost, ingarden is poised to scale its direct-to-consumer and omnichannel offerings, expand internationally, and enhance its proprietary technology to offer an innovative alternative to conventional dietary supplements.
The success of this round highlights ingarden’s growing potential to revolutionise urban nutrition while promoting a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
“Today, I’m proud to share a major milestone for ingarden as we welcome Gemüsering Stuttgart GmbH as our new investor and strategic partner. Their decades of expertise in the fresh food industry and their commitment to sustainability and consumer health perfectly align with our vision: bringing fresh, nutrient-maximised greens directly into people’s lives,” added Satiner in a LinkedIn post announcing the investment. “This partnership marks a turning point in our journey as we expand beyond boundaries. With their guidance and robust network, we are empowered to scale our mission.”
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/01/foodtech-ingarden-raises-e1-2-million-to-expand-nutrient-packed-microgreens-tech/
