Edonia secures €15 million to scale spirulina protein Edo
French food tech startup Edonia has raised €15 million to industrialise its microalgae-based protein ingredient Edo.
Edonia has secured €15 million in funding led by SWEN Blue Ocean 2, Asterion Ventures, EIT Food, and Bpifrance to industrialise its spirulina-based protein ingredient Edo. The French B2B ingredient supplier will use the capital to scale production for foodservice expansion in Europe, Japan, and the United States.
Edo delivers high-protein, low-carbon alternative to meat for foodservice
Edonia's flagship ingredient, Edo, is made via a patented process called Edonization, developed with AgroParisTech Innovation. The process transforms spirulina by cooking it in oil at a controlled temperature, creating a tender, fluffy grain with a texture similar to minced meat. The company says this keeps the ingredient list limited without relying on long lists of additives.
Edo serves as an alternative to meat, cheese, and fish in processed foods. The ingredient is rich in iron and offers high protein content. Edonia claims its carbon footprint is up to 27 times lower than beef.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Protein per 100g | 27g |
| Carbon footprint vs. beef | Up to 27 times lower |
Edonia launches Edo with Newrest and Aliive, targeting B2B expansion
Edonia has already fulfilled first orders for partners including the international catering group Newrest and Aliive. In 2025, the company launched Edo with Newrest, which now uses the ingredient to prepare thousands of meals each month across collective catering sites in France. In the retail market, Dietbon has introduced a range of ready meals using Edo.
According to Edonia, 40% of customers presented with recipes switched from the meat version to the Edo alternative, while satisfaction scores remained comparable with the original meat products. The startup has secured more than €30 million in pre-contracted revenue through around twenty contracts with leading industry players.
CEO Hugo Valentin outlined the next step. "The goal now is simple: make enough of it, and bring it to food manufacturers and foodservice operators across Europe, Japan and the US," he said.
Funding fuels industrial scale-up
The €15 million round includes non-dilutive funding from Bpifrance under the France 2030 initiative, as well as bank financing. Edonia was founded in 2023 by Hugo Valentin, Pierre Mignon, and Nicolas Irlinger. The company started industrialising its technology in 2024, moving from laboratory work to production and setting up its own supply chain.
Julie Peyrache, Investment Director at lead investor SWEN Blue Ocean 2, and Marine Reygrobellet, a Partner at Asterion Ventures, were confirmed as involved in the deal. Edonia will use the funds to scale up industrialisation by opening a dedicated facility and leveraging a trusted partner in an existing shared location in France.
