Wageningen University & Research: Rival Foods takes the next step in developing plant-based foods

Rival Foods is a technology spin-off of Wageningen University & Research, focused on developing quality plant-based protein products. Recently, Rival Foods announced a six-million-euro investment in the business, enabling them to upscale and further develop their protein technologies and new formulas.

Consumers increasingly demand plant-based products that are equally tasty, nutritious and affordable as animal meat products. Almost half (45%) of the flexitarians say the range in supermarkets and restaurants leaves much to be desired. One of the main blind spots in alternative proteins is the expertise and technology required to develop thicker, three-dimensional products that can adequately mimic animal products such as cold cuts.

Investment offers new opportunities
Rival Foods can transform a wide variety of plant-based ingredients such as soja, peas, wheat, fava, sunflower- and rapeseed into products with an excellent texture, rich mouth-feel and juiciness. This provides consumers and the food industry with a future-proof proposition.

The six-million-euro investment announced by Rival Foods is led by PeakBridge and joined by Roquette Ventures. The spin-off will use this funding to expand its operational capabilities, scale up its unique technologies and develop new formulations with new protein sources. Moreover, Rival Foods expects to bring its first products to market in the second half of 2023.

Collaboration with leading chefs
Aside from technology, Rival Foods also works with leading chefs, food professionals and industry players. In these collaborations, Rival Foods explores opportunities to create exciting eating experiences in keeping with local food culture and make animal products redundant.