Planted Foods raises CHF 17 million to expand internationally and bolster the R&D platform
08.03.2021
Planted announces the successful completion of its Series A financing round. Founded in July 2019, Planted, the ETH Zurich spin-off creates all-natural plant-based meats. The Series A round is Co-Lead by Vorwerk Ventures and Blue Horizon Ventures, joined by Swiss football star Yann Sommer and existing investors including Stephan Schmidheiny, Good Seed Ventures, Gaydoul Group, ETH Foundation and Joyance Partners. The equity round is complemented through a debt facility provided by Credit Suisse. We interviewed Co-Founder Christoph Jenny about his entrepreneurial path and visions for Planted Food.
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For Planted’s Co-Founder Christoph Jenny, this investment represents a milestone for the company on its fast and furious mission to replace animal meat with all clean and natural plant-based meat. “We are delighted to have two Co-Leads on board, who are well-known for their unique track-record working with consumer-centric ventures and have a deep understanding of the food tech market, especially alternative proteins”.
A growing population along with increasing life expectancy and incomes are major drivers for the rise in global meat demand. However, the current scale of the meat industry is beyond sustainable. Planted only uses selected, 100% natural ingredients. No chemicals, no additives. The Planted product ranges, each consisting of different protein sources (peas, oat, sunflowers), include: planted.™ chicken, planted.™ pulled and planted.™."As an athlete, I know the advantages of clean eating. But as a father, I’m also concerned about the environmental sustainability of our planet. That’s why I want to use my voice to raise awareness for plant-based meat substitutes among younger people in particular." says Yann Sommer, goalkeeper of the Swiss National Team.
Planted offers its products in over 3’000 retail locations in Switzerland (Coop & Migros) Germany (Edeka) and Austria (Spar), supplies hundreds of foodservice partners and offers B2C sales through its webshop (shop.eatplanted.com). Success in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria shows, that Planted’s products are in high demand. "It’s fantastic to see how our products resonate with consumers and partners all over Europe. Unique aspects such as our natural, healthy, non-artificial ingredients and incredible taste make all the difference and are being valued by an increasing number of customers. We’re excited to further strengthen our international footprint with the current funding, expanding our product range and extend our partner-network” says Co-Founder Pascal Bieri.
To match the soaring demand for new sustainable food products, the company will make significant investments in R&D. Continuing development of fermentation technologies will enhance product structure and taste. "We will further invest in our structuring and fermentation platforms. Combining structuring technologies with the biochemical toolboxes of natural microorganisms will allow us to create ultimately new products with transformative character - all clean, natural, healthy, and tasty,” says Co-Founder Lukas Böni.
Source: Planted Food Press Release
Planted Food won Venture Kick Stage 3 in 2020 and was elected among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups the same year. We asked Co-Founder Christoph Jenny about this entrepreneurial path, the origins of the Planted Food project, and some advice for foodtech entrepreneurs.
Christoph, you won Venture Kick and Innobooster in 2020. How did it help you lay the foundation for your growth and today's achievement?
These are great platforms to connect with investors. We’ve met two of our investors at a Venture Kick event.
You also were selected among the TOP 100 SwissStartups the same year. How did it leverage your fundraising strategy?
Being selected at the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award gave us great visibility. We met Vorwerk Ventures, our co-lead, at the event.
When, and what, was your inspiration to found Planted?
When the four of us - Eric, Lukas, Pascal, and myself - tried what was on the market and compared it to the early prototypes from Eric, which we found better in terms of taste, texture as well as being a clean label.
What is your advice for the potential foodtech entrepreneurs launching companies in Switzerland today?
Get a great team to found with together. Having a strong founding team is key.
A growing population along with increasing life expectancy and incomes are major drivers for the rise in global meat demand. However, the current scale of the meat industry is beyond sustainable. Planted only uses selected, 100% natural ingredients. No chemicals, no additives. The Planted product ranges, each consisting of different protein sources (peas, oat, sunflowers), include: planted.™ chicken, planted.™ pulled and planted.™."As an athlete, I know the advantages of clean eating. But as a father, I’m also concerned about the environmental sustainability of our planet. That’s why I want to use my voice to raise awareness for plant-based meat substitutes among younger people in particular." says Yann Sommer, goalkeeper of the Swiss National Team.Planted offers its products in over 3’000 retail locations in Switzerland (Coop & Migros) Germany (Edeka) and Austria (Spar), supplies hundreds of foodservice partners and offers B2C sales through its webshop (shop.eatplanted.com). Success in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria shows, that Planted’s products are in high demand. "It’s fantastic to see how our products resonate with consumers and partners all over Europe. Unique aspects such as our natural, healthy, non-artificial ingredients and incredible taste make all the difference and are being valued by an increasing number of customers. We’re excited to further strengthen our international footprint with the current funding, expanding our product range and extend our partner-network” says Co-Founder Pascal Bieri.
To match the soaring demand for new sustainable food products, the company will make significant investments in R&D. Continuing development of fermentation technologies will enhance product structure and taste. "We will further invest in our structuring and fermentation platforms. Combining structuring technologies with the biochemical toolboxes of natural microorganisms will allow us to create ultimately new products with transformative character - all clean, natural, healthy, and tasty,” says Co-Founder Lukas Böni.
Source: Planted Food Press Release
Planted Food won Venture Kick Stage 3 in 2020 and was elected among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups the same year. We asked Co-Founder Christoph Jenny about this entrepreneurial path, the origins of the Planted Food project, and some advice for foodtech entrepreneurs.
Christoph, you won Venture Kick and Innobooster in 2020. How did it help you lay the foundation for your growth and today's achievement?
These are great platforms to connect with investors. We’ve met two of our investors at a Venture Kick event.
You also were selected among the TOP 100 SwissStartups the same year. How did it leverage your fundraising strategy?
Being selected at the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award gave us great visibility. We met Vorwerk Ventures, our co-lead, at the event.
When, and what, was your inspiration to found Planted?
When the four of us - Eric, Lukas, Pascal, and myself - tried what was on the market and compared it to the early prototypes from Eric, which we found better in terms of taste, texture as well as being a clean label.
What is your advice for the potential foodtech entrepreneurs launching companies in Switzerland today?
Get a great team to found with together. Having a strong founding team is key.