US-based animal-free dairy company New Culture has strengthened its intellectual property portfolio after securing a second US patent covering cheese made with animal-free casein.

In this instalment of 'Start-up spotlight' – which celebrates smaller, earlier-stage companies and their innovations – we speak to Evie Kemp, founder, physician and research director of Haskapa: a UK-based, science-led nutrition company built around the haskap berry.

New Zealand-based Leaft Foods has received an investment from Japanese dairy group Lacto Japan, supporting the commercialisation of protein products made from its leaf protein ingredient.

Sustainable fats and oils start-up Sun Bear Biofuture has completed its first successful production run at less than 10% of the industry’s average set-up cost.

Upcycling has emerged as a golden opportunity for food and beverage manufacturers to embrace circular economy principles, as reducing waste and minimising environmental footprints remain high priorities.

Green Boy Group has led an early-stage investment in Fudi Protein, a US-based start-up producing alt-protein ingredients from alfalfa.

Food-tech start-up Cosaic has announced a successful $6 million seed funding round, led by DSM-Firmenich’s investment arm, to accelerate scale-up of its yeast fermentation platform.

Swiss food-tech start-up Planetary has successfully raised around $28 million to support the growth of its global fermentation platform.

French plant-based cheese producer Jay&Joy has raised €2 million in funding to support its growth in the UK and Europe.

Italian food-tech start-up Foreverland has raised €6 million in funding to support the international expansion of its cocoa-free chocolate alternative.

This month, our 'start-up spotlight' is on Happy Plant Protein. The Finnish food-tech company's patented technology produces tailor-made plant protein ingredients for use across a wide range of food and beverage applications.

Swedish precision fermentation start-up Melt&Marble has secured self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the US for its MeltyMarble fat solution.