The latest Verley funding round marks one of the largest investments in Europe’s precision fermentation protein sector in recent years. Lyon based food technology startup Verley has secured €32 million in Series A funding to scale production of its high performance whey protein ingredients and expand internationally.
The oversubscribed funding round was led by Alven, with participation from Blast, the French Tech Seed fund managed by Bpifrance, and previous investors including Sofinnova, Sparkfood, Captech, and Founders Future. The company also received additional non dilutive financial support from Bpifrance.
This Verley funding round positions the company as a major emerging player in sustainable protein production and precision fermentation technology.
Verley secures €32 million Series A funding round
The €32 million Series A funding represents a major milestone for Verley, which was founded in 2022.
Lead investors and participating funds
The round was led by venture capital firm Alven, a well known investor in European technology startups. Additional participation came from Blast and the French Tech Seed fund, which supports early stage innovation through public funding.
France’s public investment bank Bpifrance also played a key role, providing both equity and non dilutive funding support. This strong investor backing reflects confidence in Verley’s technology and growth potential.
Previous funding and investor backing
Before this Series A, Verley had already secured early support from prominent investors including Sofinnova, Sparkfood, Captech, and Founders Future. These investors helped Verley build its core technology platform and develop its FermWhey product line.
The continued support from existing investors demonstrates ongoing confidence in the company’s leadership and progress. Compared with other European precision fermentation startups, Verley’s €32 million Series A is significantly larger than most recent funding rounds.
Verley leadership team and founder background
Verley’s leadership team brings extensive experience from the dairy, food technology, and biotechnology sectors.
CEO Stéphane Mac Millan’s industry experience
Verley CEO and co founder Stéphane Mac Millan has decades of experience in the dairy industry. His background includes leadership roles in building and scaling companies focused on food and nutrition.
His expertise in dairy supply chains and protein production has helped shape Verley’s strategy. Mac Millan has emphasised that Verley’s mission is to meet growing global demand for high quality nutrition while reducing environmental impact.
Co-founder Hélène Briand’s innovation leadership
Co founder and Chief Innovation and Commercial Officer Hélène Briand plays a key role in product development and commercial strategy. She has focused on developing Verley’s functional protein ingredients to meet real world manufacturing needs.
Her leadership ensures Verley’s products deliver performance, scalability, and commercial viability. Together, Verley’s leadership team combines scientific expertise and industry experience.
What Verley does and why it matters
Verley develops high purity whey protein ingredients using precision fermentation.
Precision fermentation whey protein explained
Precision fermentation uses microorganisms to produce specific proteins. Instead of relying on traditional dairy farming, Verley’s process produces whey proteins through controlled fermentation.
This approach requires fewer natural resources and reduces environmental impact. It also provides consistent quality and scalable production.
FermWhey product portfolio
Verley’s protein ingredients are marketed under its FermWhey brand.
These proteins are designed for food and beverage manufacturers producing high protein products.
Applications include:
- High protein yoghurts
- Protein drinks
- Nutritional supplements
- Functional food products
Verley’s ingredients offer high purity, improved solubility, and strong nutritional performance.
How Verley plans to use the funding
The Verley funding round will support multiple growth initiatives.
Production scale up and US expansion
The company plans to expand production capacity to meet growing demand. It will also enter the US market, one of the largest protein markets globally. This expansion will help Verley reach new customers.
Continued research and development investment
Verley will continue investing in research and development. This will improve protein performance and production efficiency. Innovation remains a key focus for the company.
Why investors are backing Verley
The Verley funding round reflects strong investor confidence in precision fermentation protein technology.
Growing global demand for protein ingredients
- The global protein market continues to grow rapidly.
- High protein nutrition has become mainstream.
- Consumers increasingly demand high quality protein products.
Sustainability and dairy industry challenges
- Traditional dairy production faces environmental challenges.
- Precision fermentation offers a more sustainable alternative.
- Verley’s technology helps address these challenges.
Precision fermentation funding trends in Europe
- Precision fermentation startups across Europe are attracting investment.
- However, most funding rounds remain smaller than Verley’s Series A.
- This highlights Verley’s strong position.
What Verley funding means for the future of protein
Verley’s funding will help accelerate innovation in protein production. Its technology supports sustainable food production. This could transform the global protein industry.
Conclusion
The €32 million Verley funding round marks a major milestone for the French precision fermentation startup.
With strong leadership, investor backing, and advanced technology, Verley is positioned to become a leading player in sustainable protein production.
The company’s growth reflects broader trends in food technology and sustainable nutrition.
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