As the sector of alternative protein emerges from a decade of unmet promises, Edonia’s microalgae-based whole food protein is already making a difference in the food industry. Edonia, creator of a whole food protein ingredient derived from microalgae, announced today a €12 million funding round. Led by Swen Blue Ocean 2, Asterion Ventures and EIT Food, the new investment will fund the industrial scale-up of Edo®, the company’s flagship ingredient, for food manufactures and the foodservice market.
The microalgae answer for an evolving food market
In recent years, plant-based alternatives focused mostly on mimicking meat in taste, look and texture. However, the food market is now facing higher expectations: consumers aren’t just looking for a replacement, but for products that are high in protein, affordable and minimally processed while tasting good. Looking to support conscious manufacturers to address these demands, Edonia proposes a different approach: a new whole food source based on microalgae that goes beyond replicating animal products. Edonia’s flagship ingredient, Edo®, offers a high protein content with a texture and tas that the food processing and food service industries can easily work with, while still limiting the ingredient list. Derived from spirulina, the ingredient serves as an alternative to traditional sources of protein – meat, cheese, fish – while also improving the nutrition value of everyday foods. To create this performing and versatile ingredient, the company introduced Edonization®, a proprietary, patented process developed in partnership with AgroParisTech. Edonization® transforms spirulina, a microalgae bioproduct packed with nutritional richness but mostly known as an unpleasant green powder, into a tasty, tender grain with a carbon footprint up to 27 times lower than meat.
Renewed investments to industrialize at scale
Edonia started industrializing its technology in 2024, with a first funding round supportiing the development of a functional industrial pilot plant. The startup then moved from laboratory work to production, setting up its own supply chain and fulfilling the first orders for its partners, including Newrest and Aliive, an international group present in 50 countries worldwide. With this new funding round, Edonia has secured €12 million in investments from SWEN Blue Ocean 2, Asterion Ventures, and EIT Food, alongside non-dilutive funding from Bpifrance under the France 2030 plan and bank financin Edonia will use these funds to scale-up industrialization with the opening of a dedicated facility, leveraging the relationship with a trusted partner in an existing shared location in France, and to grow its B2B foodservice sales model in Europe, Japan and the United States. Edonia secured €30 million in pre-orders, through around twenty contracts signed with leading industry players.
Today, nutritious, tasty, inexpensive, good-for-the-planet food options are limited, and consumers are stuck needing to compromise on either the environment, health, or taste, depending on what they decide to choose as a protein source. That is why we are delighted to support Edonia, whose innovative microalgae-based ingredients meet all of these demands and could drastically improve the health and sustainability of our food supply.
Julie Peyrache
Investissement Director at SWEN Blue Ocean
From the beginning, the Edonia team built a solid commercial pipeline even before the factory was up and running, a fact that speaks volumes about both the product’s quality and the team’s vision and sales capabilities. We are delighted to continue supporting Edonia in this next phase, alongside SWEN.
Marine Reygrobellet
Partner at Asterion Ventures
We firmly believe that microalgae can feed the world in a different way, and o successful step from pilot to large scale production proves that there are applications far beyond nutraceuticals, particularly in the ready-to-use protein ingredients market. Edonia is developing the new category of nutritious, minimally processed whole foods plant-based proteins. These essential and versatile ingredients can be used by industrial manufacturers on a large scale and at competitive prices. We’ve proven that a whole food protein can outperform the animal on nutrition and compete on price, at real volume, with real clients. This funding gives us the resources to turn our promise into verified proof.
