In a significant stride towards sustainable food production, Paris-based foodtech company Standing Ovation recently secured €3 million in funding to kickstart the industrialization of its non-animal casein manufacturing. This funding, a blend of state grants and loans, marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey towards revolutionizing the dairy industry.
Standing Ovation, heralded as a FrenchTech 2030 winner, is at the forefront of the food transition movement. The company is dedicated to creating alternative proteins through precision fermentation, a process that stands to redefine food sovereignty and environmental sustainability in the agri-food sector. The heart of this initiative is the “CASPEX” project, focused on developing a line for purifying proteins (caseins) obtained by precision fermentation. This project aims to facilitate the first industrial-scale production of ingredients for dairy products.
The €2 million state funding, granted as part of the “Agrifood Resilience and Capacity” call of the France 2030 Investment Plan operated by Bpifrance, alongside a €1 million Green Invest EU Investment Loan, underscores the project’s alignment with France’s ambitious goals for healthy, sustainable, and traceable food. The state’s support, covering 60% of the project’s costs, is not just financial but a testament to its commitment to innovative, future-focused food solutions.
Romain Chayot, President and co-founder of Standing Ovation, underscores the impact of this funding. “Standing Ovation’s innovative approach contributes significantly to the food transition, reducing the environmental footprint of the dairy ingredient industry,” he explains. The support from Bpifrance is not just a financial boost but a catalyst for the company’s industrial and commercial expansion, signaling a decisive shift in public policy towards future-ready food solutions.
Key to Standing Ovation’s process is the purification of fermentative casein, a step that enhances productivity, maximizes upstream production efficiency, and reduces equipment and team downtime. This advancement is not just a technological leap; it’s a cost-effective, production-accelerating game-changer that solidifies Standing Ovation’s technological leadership.
Founded in 2020, Standing Ovation has developed a patented process for producing non-animal caseins through precision fermentation. This breakthrough holds immense potential in the realm of alternative proteins. Fermented caseins, mirroring their animal-derived counterparts, pave the way for authentic replicas of dairy products. They retain the essential nutritional and taste qualities of traditional dairy while drastically reducing environmental impact.
By scaling this process to industrial levels, Standing Ovation is not just carving a niche but positioning itself as a key player in precision fermentation. This move resonates with a growing global consciousness around sustainable food production, offering a viable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional dairy production methods.
In essence, Standing Ovation’s journey represents more than just technological innovation; it’s a step towards a future where food production aligns with environmental stewardship and sustainability. As they move into this new phase of industrialization, Standing Ovation stands as a beacon of hope and innovation in the foodtech landscape, offering a glimpse into a sustainable, dairy-alternative future.
