Pitch: a startup, initially created as a joint venture between Fonterra and DSM-Firmenich, producing dairy proteins through precision fermentation for food and nutrition applications.

Source: Vivici

ID card

• HQ: Netherlands
• Founded: 2022
• Funding: €44.5M
• Last Funding: €12.5M (including €10M equity financing) (06/2026)
• Partnerships: Ginkgo Bioworks (strain engineering), Liberation Bioindustries (commercial-scale manufacturing)
• Innovations: Precision fermentation to produce whey protein (beta-lactoglobulin) and lactoferrin
• Competitors:
  • Whey proteins: Perfect Day (US), Remilk (Israel), Verley (France), Those Vegan Cowboys (Netherlands), Imagindairy (Israel)
  • Lactoferrin: De Novo FoodLabs (UK), All G (Australia), ****Helaina (US), TurtleTree (Singapore), Pinnacle Food Group (Canada)
• Regulation:
  • “No questions letter” from the US FDA for its whey protein (Vivitein™ BLG)
  • self-affirmed GRAS status in the US for its bovine lactoferrin (Vivitein™ LF)

More insights

• Vivitein™ BLG (whey protein), its first commercial ingredient, targets active nutrition and sports applications.
  • Vivici developed high-protein shot concept products showcasing the functional performance of Vivitein™ BLG for potential B2B customers.
• Vivitein™ LF, launched in 2026, expands Vivici’s portfolio into lactoferrin for gut health, immune support, women's health and performance recovery.
  • An FDA notification is planned, with the first commercial products expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
• Rather than building its own production facilities, Vivici relies on manufacturing partnerships, including with:
  • Liberation Bioindustries to produce its whey protein at a 600,000 L facility in the US.
  • The EVERY Co (egg proteins) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to explore a proposed 4M-litre multi-tenant precision fermentation facility in the UAE.

For Symrise

Why did we select the startup?

Vivici is one of the leading startups producing dairy proteins through precision fermentation, with a portfolio that includes whey proteins and lactoferrin for nutritional applications. Its portfolio is particularly relevant for Symrise's health, nutrition and functional ingredient activities.

It is also a unique model, more solid than other startups, as it is more of a joint venture of large companies, including Fonterra and DSM. Beyond a partner, it could also be an inspiration.

Why now?

Vivici is clearly seeking partners to enter the market as it is in parallel scaling its production, supported by recent manufacturing partnerships and €12.5M in EIC funding.

Source: Vivici