Heura Secures €20M EIB Loan to Advance the Future of Plant-Based Nutrition in Europe

Courtesy: EIB

In a move that underscores the European Union’s commitment to building sustainable, health-forward food systems, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €20 million loan agreement with Spanish food tech startup Heura Foods. Backed by the EU’s flagship InvestEU programme, the financing will bolster Heura’s research, development, and innovation (RD&I) capabilities, enabling the company to accelerate the rollout of next-generation plant-based products designed to meet the nutritional needs and ethical values of a rapidly evolving European consumer base.

Founded in Barcelona in 2017 by Marc Coloma and Bernat Añaños, Heura has quickly become one of Europe’s most recognised mission-driven plant-based brands. Its origin story is rooted in activism: born from a desire to challenge the industrial meat system and its consequences for animal welfare, human health, and the planet. What began as a modest effort to bring Mediterranean-inspired plant-based meats to the Spanish market has since evolved into a full-fledged food tech platform, grounded in science, nutrition, and impact.

Last year, Heura underwent a significant strategic pivot. In addition to expanding its product portfolio into new food categories such as cheese, snacks, and pasta, the company has increasingly focused on proprietary technologies to improve nutritional profiles and functional performance. Its platform marked a transition from pure brand-building to a technology-first innovation engine. Through it, Heura aims to tackle some of the sector’s most persistent challenges: reducing additives, boosting protein density, and mimicking the complexity of animal-derived foods using clean, plant-based ingredients.

The new EIB financing marks a significant milestone in that journey. According to the company, the funds will be used to support RD&I efforts across a range of categories—not just meat alternatives, but also plant-based cheeses and hybrid formulations designed for maximum nutrition. The goal is to outpace the market in product quality, aligning with Heura’s ethos of health without compromise. This includes increasing protein levels, minimising ultra-processed elements, and eliminating saturated fats wherever possible. Part of the loan will also be dedicated to equipping Heura’s labs and scaling up its production at co-manufacturers’ facilities in Spain.

Marc Coloma, co-founder and CEO of Heura Foods, described the agreement as a turning point. “Innovation is our tool to live longer and better. We are committed to simple processes, legumes, healthy fats, and science in the service of collective well-being. Our goal is to democratise food that is tasty, nutritious and aligned with today’s challenges,” he said.

The EIB sees the deal as a strategic step toward meeting multiple EU policy objectives—ranging from climate action to competitiveness in agri-food innovation. “This financing agreement with Heura is a clear example of how the EIB is stepping up its support for companies that are at the forefront of the bioeconomy, driving innovation and sustainability across the entire value chain,” said Alessandro Izzo, EIB Director of Equity, Growth Capital and Project Finance. “By investing in the development of new plant-based foods, the EIB is also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable food system in Europe and to the overall food security of the European Union.”

The EIB’s support is made possible through InvestEU, an EU programme aiming to unlock over €372 billion in investments by 2027. It brings together a range of EU financial instruments under a single umbrella to support innovation and sustainability in areas deemed critical for Europe’s future, including the green transition, digitalisation, and the bioeconomy.

“For the European Commission, fostering innovation is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of Europe’s agri-food industry,” added Lucas González Ojeda, Acting Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain. “This operation is a good example of what InvestEU can do to empower businesses to grow, innovate and build a sustainable future.”

For Heura, the agreement is not just about scaling a brand—it’s about building a movement. The company’s activist roots and science-driven strategy align with growing consumer awareness around health, sustainability, and animal welfare. In an era where alternative proteins are entering the mainstream but still face scrutiny over nutrition and processing, Heura’s focus on clean-label innovation and culinary familiarity sets it apart.

The EIB, meanwhile, is intensifying its commitment to projects aligned with the Paris Agreement and Europe’s climate and health ambitions. Nearly 60% of the EIB Group’s financing in 2024 supported initiatives tied to climate change mitigation, environmental health, and technological advancement. In Spain alone, the EIB signed €12.3 billion in financing across more than 100 projects last year.

With this latest investment, Heura joins a growing roster of companies benefiting from a strategic convergence of EU policy, public financing, and private innovation. It marks a new chapter not only for the startup but for the future of food in Europe—one where legumes, lab equipment, and local heritage come together to shape a healthier, more sustainable plate.