Ferm Labs secures €3 million to scale bioprocessing ingredient platform

Ferm Labs, a Swiss-Italian startup, has raised €3 million to expand its proprietary bioprocessing platform for B2B food ingredients, according to the company. The funding round, led by CDP Venture Capital through its Green Transition Fund and supported by other European investors, aims to accelerate Ferm Labs’ capacity to serve the rapidly growing global market for clean-label ingredients.

The company, based in Zug, Switzerland, specializes in high-yield bioprocessing technology designed to help food manufacturers reduce costs and improve sustainability. Founded in 2025 by Stephanie Lüpold and Mattia Baroni, Ferm Labs has focused on clean-label solutions that address consumer demand for natural, minimally processed ingredients in industrial food production.

Ferm Labs’ core technology enables manufacturers to replace conventional ingredients with high-performance alternatives. Its flagship product, Kokumesan, can cut industrial cheese use from 20% to less than 1% in recipes, delivering reported cost-in-use savings of 75% for manufacturers. The company is targeting the US and European industrial cheese market, which is valued at €68 billion.

The new capital will be used to scale up Ferm Labs’ bioprocessing capacity and expand its European B2B sales force. According to Stephanie Lüpold, CEO, the company aims to accelerate market entry and broaden its product portfolio, positioning itself as a disruptive force in the ingredient supply chain. The support from CDP Venture Capital’s Green Transition Fund, part of the NextGenerationEU initiative, underscores the strategic focus on sustainable innovation in European food production.

Investors point to the potential for Ferm Labs’ platform to reshape supply chains by providing cost-effective, clean-label ingredients that align with regulatory and consumer trends. Enrico Filì, Head of Green Transition Fund at CDP Venture Capital, described the investment as a step towards “accelerating the green transition in the food industry.”

However, the startup faces competition from established suppliers and must navigate potential regulatory challenges related to food safety and labeling standards. Market observers note that Ferm Labs’ progress will depend on its ability to scale production and secure partnerships with food industry leaders such as Loacker.

The investment highlights growing European interest in food tech startups focused on sustainability and efficiency. As the clean-label ingredient market expands, Ferm Labs’ bioprocessing technology could play a key role in enabling manufacturers to meet new consumer expectations while improving operational margins.