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

NETHERLANDS – Dutch food biotechnology company Vivici has secured €12.5 million (US$14.4 million) from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Programme to accelerate commercial production of precision-fermented dairy proteins, strengthening its position in Europe’s rapidly growing alternative protein sector.

The blended financing package comprises a €2.5 million (US$2.85M) grant and €10 million (US$11.4M) in equity investment. 

The funding will support the company’s manufacturing scale-up and help meet growing commercial demand for its dairy proteins.

Founded in 2022 by Fonterra and DSM-Firmenich, Vivici develops dairy proteins through precision fermentation. 

The technology enables the production of proteins without livestock while maintaining the functional properties of conventional dairy ingredients.

The company said the investment comes as demand continues to grow for its flagship products, Vivitein BLG and Vivitein LF, with supply agreements already secured and deliveries underway using existing production capacity.

Chief Executive Officer Stephan van Sint Fiet said the funding reflects the company’s rapid commercial progress.

“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,” he said.

He attributed the company’s growth to its technology platform, ingredient expertise and experience commercialising food innovations.

According to AgFunderNews, Vivici recently integrated technology from Danish biotechnology company Enduro Genetics into its production platform. 

The technology has significantly improved protein yields and manufacturing efficiency, enabling higher production volumes while reducing manufacturing costs.

Alongside expanding production, Vivici continues to advance regulatory approvals.

The company received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its precision-fermented beta-lactoglobulin in February 2025. 

It also achieved self-GRAS status for lactoferrin in February 2026, supporting broader commercialisation in the US market.

Vivici is now preparing its regulatory submission to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to seek approval for commercial sales across Europe.

To support future production, the company has established industrial-scale manufacturing partnerships across Europe. 

It has also partnered with Liberation Bioindustries to produce proteins in Indiana, US, while working with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to assess the development of a large-scale alternative protein manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates.

The latest investment is expected to strengthen Vivici’s manufacturing capacity as demand for sustainable dairy ingredients produced through precision fermentation continues to grow across global food and beverage markets.

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