What are the latest funding news in the alternative protein market? (May 2026)
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Alternative protein funding in early 2026 was led by fermentation and dairy-style protein technologies, with several companies raising commercial-scale rounds.
Plant-based meat and dairy startups still raised capital, but most larger deals went to companies that can sell ingredients or infrastructure into food manufacturers.
The latest deals show investors backing practical routes to market, including foodservice, B2B ingredients, regulatory work, and manufacturing scale-up.
And if you want to better understand this new industry, you can download our pitch covering the alternative protein market.
Insights
- Fermentation dominated the latest alternative protein market funding news, accounting for 7 of the 12 deals and most of the disclosed capital in the list.
- Dairy alternatives were the clearest investor focus, with casein, whey protein, cheese alternatives and plant-based milk appearing across several recent rounds.
- The largest recent round was The EVERY Company’s $55 million Series D, which shows that some precision fermentation players are still able to raise growth capital.
- Most cultivated meat funding was tied to regulatory readiness and market entry, rather than immediate consumer rollout, which signals a more disciplined commercialization phase.
- Several startups raised for North American expansion, including Standing Ovation, Verley and Those Vegan Cowboys, making the US a key target market for animal-free dairy proteins.
- Alternative protein investors appeared to favor B2B scalability, with Planetary, Verley, Standing Ovation and The EVERY Company all focused on ingredients or platforms.
- Plant-based meat funding was more selective, but Green Rebel Foods showed that regionally tailored products can still attract capital in Southeast Asia.
- Round sizes varied widely, from 1.5 Degree’s $1 million pre-Series A to The EVERY Company’s $55 million Series D, showing a split between early validation and scale-up funding.
As this chart shows, and as featured in our alternative protein market deck, search interest in pea protein has been growing steadily
Summary table of the latest funding deals in the alternative protein market as of May 2026
We define the alternative protein market as all modern technologies that provide protein for human food as a substitute for conventional meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs.
We include plant-based meat, seafood, dairy and egg products, fermentation-derived proteins used in such foods, and cultivated cell-based meat and seafood.
We exclude generic plant staples like beans, lentils, tofu and wheat gluten sold as ordinary foods, as well as insect, algae and other novel proteins, unless they are clearly positioned as meat, seafood, dairy or egg alternatives.
You can also read our detailed analysis to understand how funding activity in the alternative protein market has evolved over the last few years.
We also have a quarter-by-quarter analysis of funding activity in the market here.
Finally, you can check our complete list of fundraising deals for the alternative protein market (we update this list every quarter) as well as our ranking of the most funded startups.
| Name | When | Amount in $ | Round Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The EVERY Company | 4 Nov 2025 | $55.0M | Series D | Fermentation-derived egg alternatives |
| Ripple Foods | 2 Dec 2025 | $17.0M | Strategic financing | Plant-based dairy |
| Those Vegan Cowboys | 18 Dec 2025 | $7.3M | First fundraising | Fermentation-derived dairy alternatives |
| Mosa Meat | 22 Dec 2025 | $17.6M | Undisclosed | Cultivated meat |
| Mö Foods | 30 Jan 2026 | $2.8M | Seed | Plant-based dairy & Cheese alternatives |
| Evergreen Select | 3 Feb 2026 | $6.0M | Open round | Cultivated meat |
| 1.5 Degree | 4 Feb 2026 | $1.0M | Pre-Series A | Plant-based dairy |
| Green Rebel Foods | 6 Feb 2026 | $12.5M | Undisclosed | Plant-based meat |
| Verley | 24 Feb 2026 | $38.0M total, $30.0M equity | Series A | Fermentation-derived dairy proteins |
| Standing Ovation | 31 Mar 2026 | $34.2M total, $28.5M equity | Series B | Fermentation-derived dairy alternatives |
| Planetary | 20 Apr 2026 | $28.0M total, $20.4M equity | Series A + credit | Fermentation protein infrastructure & Ingredients |
| AuX Labs | 22 Apr 2026 | $4.0M | Undisclosed | Fermentation-derived dairy alternatives |
All the latest funding deals during in the alternative protein market as of May 2026
AuX Labs raised $4.0 million in April 2026.
When was it?
The AuX Labs deal was announced on 22 April 2026.
Who are they?
AuX Labs makes precision-fermented casein for melty animal-free cheese products.
Geographical focus?
AuX Labs is focused on Canada and the US, with commercial work aimed at foodservice and consumer partnerships.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
AuX Labs belongs in the alternative protein market because its casein is used to replace dairy proteins in cheese alternatives.
What is the company stage?
AuX Labs appears to be at pilot-to-commercial launch stage.
How much did they raise?
AuX Labs raised $4.0 million in this round.
What round is it?
AuX Labs did not disclose a named round type.
Why did they raise?
AuX Labs raised to scale manufacturing, grow the team and build foodservice and consumer partnerships.
Planetary raised $28.0 million in April 2026.
When was it?
The Planetary deal was announced on 20 April 2026.
Who are they?
Planetary builds fermentation infrastructure that turns sugar-industry side streams into food-grade proteins.
Geographical focus?
Planetary is based in Switzerland and has a global infrastructure and licensing focus.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Planetary fits the alternative protein market because its platform supports fermentation-derived protein ingredients for food companies.
What is the company stage?
Planetary appears to be in commercialization and growth stage.
How much did they raise?
Planetary raised $28.0 million in total, including $20.4 million in equity.
What round is it?
Planetary raised a Series A round with credit financing.
Why did they raise?
Planetary raised to expand licensing, improve asset-level profitability and broaden its product work.
This chart, featured in our alternative protein market deck, compares the main business model options for alternative protein brands
Standing Ovation raised $34.2 million in March 2026.
When was it?
The Standing Ovation deal was announced on 31 March 2026.
Who are they?
Standing Ovation makes precision-fermented casein from dairy side streams for animal-free dairy products.
Geographical focus?
Standing Ovation is based in France and is preparing launches in North America, then Europe and Asia.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Standing Ovation belongs in the alternative protein market because its casein replaces animal-derived dairy proteins in dairy alternatives.
What is the company stage?
Standing Ovation appears to be at commercialization stage.
How much did they raise?
Standing Ovation raised $34.2 million in total, including $28.5 million in equity.
What round is it?
Standing Ovation raised a Series B round.
Why did they raise?
Standing Ovation raised to launch in North America before expanding into Europe and Asia.
Verley raised $38.0 million in February 2026.
When was it?
The Verley deal was announced on 24 February 2026.
Who are they?
Verley makes precision-fermented beta-lactoglobulin whey protein for high-protein dairy-style foods.
Geographical focus?
Verley is based in France and is targeting the US market as a major commercial priority.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Verley fits the alternative protein market because its fermentation-derived whey protein can replace conventional dairy proteins.
What is the company stage?
Verley appears to be moving from pre-commercial development into commercialization.
How much did they raise?
Verley raised $38.0 million in total, including $30.0 million in equity.
What round is it?
Verley raised a Series A round.
Why did they raise?
Verley raised to enter the US market and scale applications for its beta-lactoglobulin protein.
This chart, featured in our alternative protein market deck, looks at Impossible Foods’ strategy in alternative protein
Green Rebel Foods raised $12.5 million in February 2026.
When was it?
The Green Rebel Foods deal was announced on 6 February 2026.
Who are they?
Green Rebel Foods makes Asian-style plant-based meats, including beefless rendang and satay.
Geographical focus?
Green Rebel Foods is focused on Southeast Asia, with products tailored to regional dishes and foodservice channels.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Green Rebel Foods belongs in the alternative protein market because its products replace conventional meat with plant-based meat alternatives.
What is the company stage?
Green Rebel Foods appears to be in growth and market expansion stage.
How much did they raise?
Green Rebel Foods raised $12.5 million in this round.
What round is it?
Green Rebel Foods did not disclose a named round type.
Why did they raise?
Green Rebel Foods raised to expand products and build more foodservice partnerships.
1.5 Degree raised $1.0 million in February 2026.
When was it?
The 1.5 Degree deal was announced on 4 February 2026.
Who are they?
1.5 Degree builds plant-based dairy products for institutional foodservice customers in India.
Geographical focus?
1.5 Degree is focused on India, especially institutional partnerships and expansion across major Indian cities.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
1.5 Degree fits the alternative protein market because its products substitute conventional dairy with plant-based dairy alternatives.
What is the company stage?
1.5 Degree appears to be at early product-market fit and B2B scaling stage.
How much did they raise?
1.5 Degree raised $1.0 million in this round.
What round is it?
1.5 Degree raised a pre-Series A round.
Why did they raise?
1.5 Degree raised to scale manufacturing, expand institutional partnerships and grow across major Indian cities.
In our alternative protein market deck, we identify pain points entrepreneurs should prioritize
Evergreen Select raised $6.0 million in February 2026.
When was it?
The Evergreen Select deal was announced on 3 February 2026.
Who are they?
Evergreen Select produces cultivated beef for blended products and beef supply stability.
Geographical focus?
Evergreen Select is focused on the US and Singapore, with a B2B market-entry strategy.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Evergreen Select belongs in the alternative protein market because its cultivated beef is designed to replace part of conventional beef supply.
What is the company stage?
Evergreen Select appears to be at regulatory and pre-commercial stage.
How much did they raise?
Evergreen Select raised $6.0 million in this open round.
What round is it?
Evergreen Select raised an open round of funding.
Why did they raise?
Evergreen Select raised for regulatory work and B2B market entry.
Mö Foods raised $2.8 million in January 2026.
When was it?
The Mö Foods deal was announced on 30 January 2026.
Who are they?
Mö Foods makes oat-based cheese alternatives using Finnish oats.
Geographical focus?
Mö Foods is based in Finland and is working toward international expansion.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Mö Foods fits the alternative protein market because its oat-based cheese products replace conventional dairy cheese.
What is the company stage?
Mö Foods appears to be at early commercialization stage.
How much did they raise?
Mö Foods raised $2.8 million in this seed round.
What round is it?
Mö Foods raised a seed round.
Why did they raise?
Mö Foods raised to scale its cheese-making technology and expand internationally.
This market map, featured in our alternative protein market deck, highlights top companies and startups in the alternative protein market
Mosa Meat raised $17.6 million in December 2025.
When was it?
The Mosa Meat deal was announced on 22 December 2025.
Who are they?
Mosa Meat develops cultivated beef burgers made from animal cells instead of slaughtered cattle.
Geographical focus?
Mosa Meat is based in the Netherlands and is preparing for broader market entry.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Mosa Meat belongs in the alternative protein market because its cultivated beef is a substitute for conventional meat.
What is the company stage?
Mosa Meat appears to be at regulatory and commercialization preparation stage.
How much did they raise?
Mosa Meat raised $17.6 million in this round.
What round is it?
Mosa Meat did not disclose a named round type.
Why did they raise?
Mosa Meat raised to extend runway, develop its platform and prepare for market entry.
Those Vegan Cowboys raised $7.3 million in December 2025.
When was it?
The Those Vegan Cowboys deal was announced on 18 December 2025.
Who are they?
Those Vegan Cowboys makes precision-fermented casein for animal-free cheese.
Geographical focus?
Those Vegan Cowboys is based in Europe and is preparing to launch animal-free casein in the US.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Those Vegan Cowboys fits the alternative protein market because its casein replaces dairy protein in cheese alternatives.
What is the company stage?
Those Vegan Cowboys appears to be in late development and market-entry stage.
How much did they raise?
Those Vegan Cowboys raised $7.3 million in this first fundraising round.
What round is it?
Those Vegan Cowboys described the deal as a first fundraising, similar to a seed-style round.
Why did they raise?
Those Vegan Cowboys raised to commercialize casein and launch in the US.
This chart, featured in our alternative protein market deck, shows annual funding in alternative protein startups
Ripple Foods raised $17.0 million in December 2025.
When was it?
The Ripple Foods deal was announced on 2 December 2025.
Who are they?
Ripple Foods makes pea-protein plant-based milks and shakes.
Geographical focus?
Ripple Foods is focused mainly on the US, with retail and foodservice growth priorities.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
Ripple Foods belongs in the alternative protein market because its pea-protein products replace conventional dairy milk and shakes.
What is the company stage?
Ripple Foods appears to be a growth-stage company with a stronger focus on profitability.
How much did they raise?
Ripple Foods raised $17.0 million in this strategic financing.
What round is it?
Ripple Foods raised a strategic financing round.
Why did they raise?
Ripple Foods raised to expand products, retail presence and foodservice channels.
The EVERY Company raised $55.0 million in November 2025.
When was it?
The EVERY Company deal was announced on 4 November 2025.
Who are they?
The EVERY Company makes precision-fermented egg proteins for food manufacturers.
Geographical focus?
The EVERY Company is based in the US and is working toward national rollout and broader manufacturing scale.
Why do we include them in the alternative protein market?
The EVERY Company fits the alternative protein market because its egg proteins replace conventional egg ingredients in food products.
What is the company stage?
The EVERY Company appears to be at growth and scale-up stage.
How much did they raise?
The EVERY Company raised $55.0 million in this round.
What round is it?
The EVERY Company raised a Series D round.
Why did they raise?
The EVERY Company raised to expand manufacturing, move toward profitability and support national rollout.
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- A complete overview of funding deals in alternative proteins
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