Arborea, an Anglo-Portuguese startup pioneering in the development of multi-functional proteins and nutritious ingredients through a new microalgae production system, has successfully secured a €5 million funding round. The round was led by Indico Capital Partners with the support of Banco Português de Fomento (BPF).
The fresh capital will fund the preparation of Arborea’s first facility for commercial-scale protein production, utilizing its cutting-edge Biosolar Leaf technology. This revolutionary approach enables the creation of high-value, nutrient-rich food products with a carbon-negative footprint, offering a much-needed sustainable solution to the global food supply challenge and climate change mitigation. Abrorea was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in London.
One of the main advantages of the Biosolar Leaf system is its ability to cultivate any of the 50,000 species of photosynthetic microorganisms (such as marine microalgae) and other microscopic plants cost-effectively and in a carbon-negative manner, without the need for agricultural land or agriculture-deriving feedstock. This not only reduces pressure on arable
land but also allows cultivation to take place on diverse settings, including in urban surfaces. Additionally, by capturing CO2 and using sunlight as an unlimited raw feedstock, the system effectively contributes to mitigating climate change, while releasing oxygen during the photosynthesis process.
Through this approach, Arborea is leading the way in creating innovative solutions for the food industry, offering natural and sustainable products such as net-zero nutrititive proteins and other highly functional ingredients.
These ingredients hold great potential to improve global nutrition, addressing the needs of a growing population without increasing pressure on the environment. Furthermore, the Biosolar Leaf technology can transform food production systems by enabling lands currently used for agriculture to be returned to nature.
Julian Melchiorri, Founder and CEO at Arborea stated: “This funding marks a pivotal step in our mission to revolutionize food production through our Biosolar Leaf™ technology. By sustainably and carbon-negatively producing multifunctional protein—clean in taste, color, and adaptable to diverse food applications—we are tackling two of the world’s most pressing challenges: food security and climate change. We are proud to partner with Indico
Capital Partners and Banco Português de Fomento to scale innovative, nature-positive solutions that will transform the future of food and restore balance to our planet.”
Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners, added: “We believe that the investment in Arborea will have a transformative impact on the food industry, particularly in replacing animal protein. The Biosolar Leaf™ cultivation system from microalgae enables the production of a higher quantity of protein compared to any other food production method, including agriculture and animal production. This investment will be crucial in consolidating Arborea’s position as a leader in creating innovative solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.”
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/12/carbon-negative-protein-production-startup-arborea-raises-e5-million/
