France-based biotech startup Nutropy has raised €7 million ($8.1M) in an oversubscribed round led by Big Pi Ventures and Zero Carbon Capital, with participation from Saudi deep tech investor Beta Lab, Big Idea Ventures, Wyngate, cheese producer Paul Dischamp, Desai Ventures, PVS Investments, and Axel Johnson’s Novax.
Nutropy specializes in producing milk proteins via precision fermentation, enabling the creation of sustainable, animal-free dairy products that deliver on taste, nutrition, and functionality. The startup provides a plug-and-play powdered ingredient for food manufacturers to craft future-ready cheeses and dairy alternatives with minimal environmental impact.
“The funds will be used for scaling up production and providing larger samples to food producers,” said CEO Nathalie Rolland, who co-founded the company in 2021 with CSO Maya Bendifallah.
Nutropy focuses on casein, the key dairy protein responsible for meltability and stretchability in cheese. Using engineered microorganisms, the company creates caseins identical to those found in cow’s milk, which are then processed into a “cheeseable milk” powder.
With plans to launch its commercial product by 2027, Nutropy aims to supply food producers across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, contributing to a more resilient and climate-friendly food ecosystem. The company’s total funding now exceeds $10 million, marking a major milestone in the clean food innovation space.
