A new influx of investment will empower the Israel-based climate food tech innovator Brevel to enhance its go-to-market strategy while advancing the production of microalgae proteins suitable for various food and beverage applications.
This latest round of financing, totaling $5 million, increases the start-up’s total investments to $25 million. Shareholders include NevaTeam Partners, Siddhi Capital, the European Union’s EIC Fund, Good Protein Fund, The Food Tech Lab, and PVS Investments.
Achieving Microalgae Protein Price Parity
“Our vision as a climate food-tech start-up is to minimize the carbon footprint by producing affordable, flavor-neutral, and functional microalgae protein on a global scale for consumers. It ticks all the boxes: it’s beneficial for individuals, advantageous for our customers, and sustainable for the planet,” stated Brevel CEO and co-founder Yonatan Golan.
Following previous investment rounds, Brevel has launched a “first-of-a-kind” factory, enabling it to scale its technology and achieve production volumes of 5,000 liters.
Brevel’s innovative technology cultivates microalgae by combining light with sugar-based fermentation in indoor bioreactors. This method allows for efficient, large-scale production of nutrient-rich microalgae without genetic modifications.
The company’s downstream process produces a white, flavorless microalgae protein isolate powder, which can seamlessly integrate into meat and dairy alternatives as a functional ingredient, thus addressing current food manufacturing trends.
Applications of Microalgae Protein
Brevel asserts that this innovative ingredient possesses exceptional emulsifying, gelling, and foaming properties, aligning with the latest food and drink industry innovation.
“Our business model resembles that of soy protein,” explains Golan. “Revenue generation must derive from co-products, similar to soy and meat products. Our unique light and fermentation platform enables us to leverage all components of the microalgae, not just the protein segment.”
Furthermore, Brevel’s fermentation process is designed to reduce costs, while the accompanying light system enhances profitability as it produces not only protein but also functional oil with “potent emulsifying” properties. This efficiency reflects the evolving trends in food processing technology and sustainability in the food and drink sector.