The Protein Brewery Raises €30M To Accelerate Global Rollout of Fungi-Based Fermotein®

Courtesy: The Protein Brewery

Dutch innovator strengthens commercial presence in US and Europe while scaling its low-cost, high-impact mycoprotein platform

The Protein Brewery, the Dutch biotech pioneering fungi-based food ingredients, has closed a €30 million Series B round that will supercharge the commercialization of its flagship ingredient, Fermotein®. The round brings together new backers Invest-NL and the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) with existing supporters Novo Holdings, Unovis Asset Management, and Madeli, investors with a track record of betting on the future of sustainable food.

For the Breda-headquartered company, the raise signals more than just fresh capital. It marks a transition from years of groundwork into a decisive push for scale, with plans to expand production capacity at its Mijkenbroek facility, build out sales and applications expertise, and prepare for commercial launches in the US and Europe.

Fermotein®: A Different Take on Mycoprotein

Unlike many alternative protein companies that rely on resource-intensive inputs or struggle with consumer acceptance due to taste and texture, The Protein Brewery positions Fermotein® as both highly versatile and cost-efficient to produce. Made using a proprietary fungal strain and patented process, the ingredient is rich in protein and fiber while being virtually tasteless and odourless. That neutrality allows it to blend seamlessly into a wide range of applications, snacks, baked goods, dairy alternatives, protein shakes, functional bars, and meal replacements.

CEO Thijs Bosch frames this as an inflection point: “With Fermotein®, we are not just offering another protein, we are redefining how food is made: nutritious, sustainable, and scalable at a lower cost. The Protein Brewery is ready to lead the protein and fiber transition.”

The company is also investing in research that explores Fermotein®’s potential benefits beyond nutrition, including its role in satiety and metabolic health through GLP-1 pathways, aligning with growing interest in foods that support weight management and long-term wellness.

Investors See a Defining Moment

For Novo Holdings, which first backed the company in its Series A, the fresh capital reflects confidence in the maturity of the platform. “The Protein Brewery has built the infrastructure, laid the groundwork, and is now positioned to bring biotech-driven food innovation to the global stage,” said Thomas Grotkjær, Partner at Novo Holdings.

New investor Invest-NL sees the company as emblematic of Dutch leadership in sustainable food. “With its unique fermentation-based solution, The Protein Brewery stands out in the alternative protein space,” noted Daan Meijer, Investment Manager. “It sets a new standard in sustainability, a vision we are proud to support.”

The sentiment was echoed by BOM, which has supported the startup since its inception. “The Protein Brewery is a prime example of how local innovation can have global impact. And it’s happening in Brabant, the Scale-Up Plant of Europe,” said Daan van Lange, Senior Investment Manager & Team Lead Climate Tech.

A Growing Mycoprotein Movement

The Protein Brewery’s raise comes at a moment when fungi-based proteins are entering a new growth phase. Long dominated by Quorn, which brought mycoprotein to mainstream consumers decades ago, the category is now seeing a wave of next-generation players. ENOUGH recently opened what it calls the world’s largest mycoprotein factory in the Netherlands, producing its Abunda® protein for major food brands. In the US, Meati has brought whole-cut mycelium products to market, while smaller innovators like MyForest Foods are targeting bacon alternatives.

The Protein Brewery focuses on neutrality, scalability, and cost. By designing Fermotein® to disappear seamlessly into existing formulations, the company avoids some of the sensory hurdles that have slowed other fungi-based proteins. Just as importantly, its patented fermentation process requires far lower capital investment than many competitors, potentially unlocking a more affordable pathway to mass adoption.

Looking Beyond the Netherlands

With commercial launches in the US already lined up for the coming months, The Protein Brewery is preparing for wider global expansion. The company is also establishing a foothold in Singapore, while awaiting EU and UK regulatory approval before entering those markets.

As the alternative protein sector grapples with questions of cost, consumer adoption, and long-term impact, The Protein Brewery’s proposition is striking: a scalable, capital-light fermentation process that delivers both protein and fiber. If the company can successfully deliver on its promises, Fermotein® could become a foundational ingredient in the next chapter of the protein transition.

“Food systems must deliver nutrition, affordability, and sustainability at once,” Bosch said. “This funding ensures we will play a key role in shaping that future.”