Plant-based collagen alternative brand VeCollal has secured an investment from Seventure Partners to expand the roll-out of its solution internationally.

The collaboration combines Pow.Bio’s continuous fermentation technology with Bühler’s engineering and deployment expertise, supported by advanced model-driven control software.

Solar Foods has partnered with Pothos, a nutritional supplements company based in Texas, US, to integrate its vegan-friendly Solein ingredient into Pothos’ protein powders.

Danone North America is tapping into the protein boom with the launch of Silk Protein, the latest addition to its plant-based drink portfolio.

As natural ingredients and health benefits move higher among consumers’ purchasing priorities, the plant-based functional beverages market is poised to reap the benefits of shoppers’ evolving preferences.

Fermenta, a health and performance nutrition start-up, is set to introduce protein bars made with Solein in the US market, with consumer availability planned for Q1 2026.

Kääpä Biotech, a Finnish start-up specialising in functional mushroom ingredients, has successfully secured a €9 million strategic investment.

This month, our start-up spotlight is on Lasso, the newly launched broader food-tech company from the team behind plant-based meat brand Tender Food. Mike Messersmith, Lasso's CEO, tells us more about the company's journey so far.

British functional drinks brand The Turmeric Co has launched what it claims is a first-of-its-kind innovation: a raw turmeric shot containing VeCollal, a plant-based collagen alternative ingredient.