Key Takeaways:
- REDUCED, a Copenhagen-based company, has raised €6M to innovate natural food ingredients from food and agricultural side streams through fermentation.
- The funding round included contributions from Novo Holdings, Einar Willumsen, EIFO, and Rockstart Agrifood, marking Rockstart Agrifood’s fourth investment in REDUCED.
- REDUCED focuses on creating sustainable, umami-rich ingredients, including organic chicken and vegetable stock concentrates, and fermented umami sauces.
- The investment will fuel technology advancement, product range expansion, production capabilities, certifications, and sales and marketing efforts.
Pioneering Sustainable Food Solutions
REDUCED, established in 2020 by entrepreneurs William Anton Lauf Olsen and Emil Munck de Voss, has successfully secured €6M in funding to enhance its proprietary fermentation technology. This technology transforms food and agriculture industry byproducts into high-quality, natural food ingredients, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional ingredient sourcing.
A Vision for Future Food Production
The company’s innovative approach aims to extract unique umami flavors more cost-effectively and with a smaller CO2 footprint. REDUCED’s product lineup showcases the potential of overlooked resources, featuring items like organic chicken stock from retired laying hens and vegetable stock from produce rejected by supermarkets due to aesthetic standards.
Broad Industry Impact
Currently serving over 100 food service businesses and collaborating with leading food ingredient suppliers, REDUCED is poised for significant expansion. The fresh funding will support technological advancements, broaden the savory ingredient selection, enhance production facilities, and bolster the company’s market presence.
Commitment to Environmental and Gastronomic Excellence
Co-founder Emil Munck de Voss emphasizes the transformative potential of the investment, aiming to extend their product range and reinforce their commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and optimizing food production side streams. This ambition aligns with REDUCED’s goal to influence the food industry positively by offering unique and sustainable flavor solutions.
Investor Confidence and Support
The funding round showcases the strong backing from notable investors, including Novo Holdings, a significant player in sustainable investment, and Einar Willumsen, a century-old Nordic flavor house with a rich history in taste innovation. Rockstart Agrifood’s continued support underscores REDUCED’s impact and potential in the agrifood tech startup ecosystem.
Image provided by REDUCED
