Dutch startup Vivici secures €12.5 million EIC backing to scale animal-free dairy proteins
Vivici, a Dutch ingredients startup producing dairy proteins via precision fermentation, has raised €12.5 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. The funds will boost market access and supply of its Vivitein™ protein ingredients and accelerate innovation.
Vivici, a Netherlands-based startup focused on making dairy protein through precision fermentation commercially viable, has secured €12.5 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Programme. The capital will be used to scale market access and supply for its Vivitein™ Ingredient Portfolio of functional protein ingredients, and to accelerate innovation for customers and consumers.
In February, Vivici announced it had raised €32.5 million (approx. $33.7 million) in Series A funding led by APG on behalf of ABP, one of the world's largest pension funds, and Invest-NL. Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici, said the EIC support is a strong endorsement of what the company is building and allows it to move faster toward commercializing precision fermentation.
Founded in 2023, Vivici aims to realize the commercial potential of precision fermentation, a method that combines traditional fermentation with modern biotechnology to produce proteins without animals. The company claims this technology can sustainably meet global protein demand without compromising price, taste, or nutritional quality.
Vivici’s Vivitein™ platform includes functional protein ingredients that enable nutrition innovators to create premium products. The first launched ingredient was Vivitein™ BLG (beta-lactoglobulin), an isolated whey protein. The company has since launched its second ingredient, Vivitein™ LF (lactoferrin), in the US market with self-affirmed GRAS status.
Simon Penfold, Chief Commercial Officer, noted strong customer demand and said the funding will help meet market expectations for supply and pace. The EIC Accelerator is the EU's flagship funding program for high-impact deep tech startups, blending grants and equity investment. Vivici was among 38 startups selected from 87 proposals that reached the interview stage, representing 16 EU and associated countries. Women hold key leadership positions in 21% of these selected companies.
