Vivici secures $14.4M to scale precision-fermented dairy proteins

Dutch food biotechnology startup Vivici has secured €12.5 million (US$14.4 million) from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Program to expand the production of precision-fermented dairy proteins. The blended financing includes a €2.5 million grant and €10 million in equity investment, providing additional resources to accelerate commercial growth. According to AgFunderNews, the funding reinforces Vivici's strategy to scale industrial production and meet growing customer demand.

Founded in December 2022 by Fonterra and DSM-Firmenich, Vivici has rapidly positioned itself as one of Europe's leading companies developing dairy proteins through precision fermentation. The company has leveraged its founders' expertise in dairy ingredients and industrial biomanufacturing to speed up product development and commercialization.

According to AgFunderNews, Vivici recently integrated technology developed by Danish startup Enduro Genetics into its production platform, significantly improving protein yields and manufacturing efficiency. These advances allow the company to produce larger volumes while reducing production costs.

"We entered the scene as the new kid on the block, and since then, we've leapfrogged a lot of the field and catapulted ourselves to the front," said Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici.

He added: "We have a very strong technology base, a deep understanding of ingredient applications and marketing, and a team with a track record of bringing innovations to market."

The company says commercial demand continues to grow for its flagship proteins Vivitein BLG and Vivitein LF. According to van Sint Fiet, supply agreements have already been signed and are currently being fulfilled using existing production capacity.

"Commercial momentum continues to build for both Vivitein BLG and Vivitein LF. We're seeing strong interest and that is converting into action, with supply agreements now signed and being fulfilled from our current supply. The EIC funding reflects that momentum and will help us further scale supply to new customers," he said.

Vivici has also made significant regulatory progress. According to AgFunderNews, the company obtained FDA GRAS status for its precision-fermented beta-lactoglobulin in February 2025 and achieved self-GRAS status for lactoferrin in February 2026, allowing broader commercialization in the United States.

The company is now preparing its regulatory submission to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and expects the scientific review process to be completed within the agency's standard timeline.

To support future growth, Vivici has established industrial-scale manufacturing partnerships across Europe and signed an agreement with Liberation Bioindustries to produce proteins in Indiana, United States. It has also partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to evaluate the development of a large-scale alternative protein manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates.

According to AgFunderNews, the latest funding is expected to strengthen Vivici's manufacturing capabilities while supporting the broader commercialization of precision-fermented dairy proteins as demand for sustainable food ingredients continues to increase worldwide.