Clean-label dairy alternatives innovator Yofix Probiotics has raised $2.5 million in series A funding. The new infusion of funding provides the startup with significant leverage for attaining global expansion of its current portfolio of award-winning plant-based yoghurts.
The funding also allows the company to accelerate development of its tech platform to launch more innovative soy-free dairy alternatives in additional categories.
“In the fast-growing dairy alternative space, Yofix offers a unique range of quality products, both in terms of flavour and texture,” noted Benjamin Bugl, Managing Director of Muller Ventures. “With no artificial ingredients, its clean-label solution is a powerful differentiator for consumer awareness and acceptance.”
Functional yoghurt
Last year, Yofix launched a new generation of clean-label yoghurt alternatives based on its proprietary zero-waste production process. The unique fermented formula is soy-free and composed of a short list of natural and highly nutritious ingredients, including oats, lentils, and sesame.
The formula was carefully crafted to deliver the classic flavour and probiotic functionality of dairy yoghurts without the dairy ingredients, serving the lactose-intolerant and dairy-allergic population as well as offering a plant-based solution for the growing vegan and flexitarian markets.
“The rise of flexitarianism has led to strong, growing demand for plant-based products worldwide,” added Fatine Layt, French Head of new investor, of LionTree. “Yofix has a unique positioning, offering 100% clean-label plant-based yoghurt and a promising platform for delivering not only yoghurts and drinkable yoghurts, but a complete portfolio of real dairy replacements. More importantly, they hit all the desired organoleptic marks. We are enthusiastic to witness its next steps and facilitate its growth through our global network.”
Yofix’s journey
Since the launch of its line of yoghurt alternatives, the startup has been awarded the final $100,000 grant from the PepsiCo 2018 Nutrition Greenhouse programme, and more recently was elected as one of the 50 most innovative companies at Anuga 2019 in Cologne.
Steve Grun, CEO of Yofix. “This fresh influx opens the door to new possibilities. Over the next few years, we will focus strategic efforts on expanding our line of dairy alternatives — which also includes oat yoghurt shakes — into the global market.”
“The support will also boost the advancement of our efforts toward developing more clean-label plant-based offerings that extend into alternative cheeses, frozen desserts, and milk alternatives — the prospects are boundless,” enthused Grun.