Planetary SA, a Swiss fermentation company, has secured approximately $27.5 million in a Series A funding round. The financing consists of roughly $20 million in equity and $7.5 million in credit, bringing the company's total funding to date to about $40 million. This investment will fuel the expansion of its technology designed to create a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
Strategic Investment Fuels Growth
The round was co-led by Radikal Capital and Oetker Ventures, attracting a diverse group of new and existing investors. Participants included Royal Cosun, arc investors, and the Green Generation Fund, alongside previous backers like Astanor Ventures and XAnge. This broad support from venture capital, food corporations, and family offices highlights strong market confidence in Planetary's integrated strategy.
This successful capital raise comes at a time when securing funding outside of specific tech sectors has become increasingly difficult. David Brandes, CEO and co-founder of Planetary, noted that resilience is key, emphasizing that recent geopolitical and commodity instability strengthens the case for a sovereign food system. He affirmed the company's commitment to building a valuable and lasting enterprise despite the challenging environment.
Pioneering a Circular Fermentation Platform
Planetary operates a proprietary full-stack platform that manages the entire process from bioprocess design to industrial-scale manufacturing. The company's WIPO GREEN listed BioBlocks™ system enables partners to efficiently bring new fermentation-based food ingredients to market. This comprehensive approach positions Planetary as a key enabler for the rapidly growing bioeconomy.
A core element of the company's strategy is the global licensing of its technology to agro-industrial partners, particularly sugar producers. This model facilitates the upcycling of low-value agricultural side streams into high-value proteins, fibers, and enzymes. By doing so, Planetary is helping to unlock a new circular economy that reduces waste and creates sustainable food sources.
Market Success and Global Expansion
The company has already demonstrated significant commercial momentum with the nationwide launch of its mycoprotein filet in partnership with ALDI Suisse. This product notably achieved price parity with conventional alternatives, signaling strong consumer and retail acceptance. The success serves as a powerful proof of concept for the company's production and commercialization capabilities.
Building on this success, Planetary is now expanding its B2B brand, Libre®, with additional product launches across Europe. These ingredients are being integrated into alternative meat and dairy products, meat hybrids, and items requiring protein or fiber fortification. This expansion showcases the versatility of the company's fermentation-derived ingredients for a wide range of food applications.
Planetary is also focused on extending its sugar-to-protein upcycling technology on a global scale. Key initiatives include establishing partnerships in sucrose-rich and protein-deficient regions like India to enable ultra-low-cost mycoprotein production. The company aims to drive the cost below $1 per kilogram, making sustainable protein more accessible worldwide.
With industrial production already operational in Aarberg, Switzerland, and a growing pipeline of licensing deals, Planetary is solidifying its role as a central technology layer for the fermentation economy. The company is actively seeking new talent and mission-aligned investors for a potential second closing of the round later this summer. This strategic funding and expansion underscore Planetary's commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable global food system.