In Europe, food tech startups are utilizing technology to enhance food production, distribution, and consumption to reduce environmental impact, improve animal welfare, and ensure safe working conditions for growers.

The trend is gradually gaining momentum, as evidenced by the recent approval by the EU to sell frozen, dried, and powdered mealworm beetles and crickets for human use, increasing the number of insects fit for intentional human consumption to eight. Insect restaurants like Berlin’s Entocycle are likely to experience growth due to this trend. However, the focus is not only on insects, as many startups are also changing how food is grown and produced to minimize its environmental impact.

 

Nocoa

Nocoa is a German startup that produces cocoa-free chocolate by fermenting plant-based ingredients like oats. This alternative to traditional chocolate is an effort to combat the environmental impact of cocoa and palm oil production, both of which contribute to deforestation and climate change. Nocoa has a 90% lower carbon footprint than regular chocolate, and the company grows and harvests its crops locally to reduce carbon emissions. The company has raised $6.1 million in funding over three rounds.

 

Better Dairy

Better Dairy is a UK-based startup that uses synthetic biology, precision fermentation, and food science to create sustainable, vegan-friendly dairy products that mimic traditional dairy products’ molecular structure, flavor, and nutritional profiles. This innovative approach reduces carbon emissions and water usage, making Better Dairy a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional dairy products. The company has raised $26.9 million in funding over three rounds.

 

Revo Foods

Revo Foods is based in Austria and produces seafood made entirely from plants. By eliminating the need for fishing, the company helps to reduce overfishing and promote healthier oceans. Their first product, Revo Salmon, was released in November 2021 and is now available in over 20 countries. They have raised €4 million in funding over two rounds.

 

Neggst

Neggst, a startup based in Berlin, is developing the world’s first plant-based egg white and yolk and an eggshell that mimics nature. This innovation allows consumers to enjoy eggs without any ethical or environmental concerns associated with commercial chicken and egg manufacturing. The company secured €5 million in funding in 2022.

 

Yeasty

Yeasty is a company in France working to repurpose the by-product of beer brewing using the natural power of yeast to develop a sustainable, refreshing, and healthy super-ingredient. While it’s still early for the startup, it has secured €1.4 million in funding over two rounds.

 

BioTech Foods

BioTech Foods, a Spanish startup, is at the forefront of the emerging cell-grown meat industry, producing ethical meat in a lab using painlessly harvested animal tissue cells. Despite Europe being slow to approve lab-grown meat sales in supermarkets or restaurants, The company has raised €11.1 million in funding over six rounds, indicating a changing attitude towards this alternative source of meat.