Imagindairy Overview
Imagindairy is trailblazing a new future for the dairy industry by producing sustainable, animal-free dairy proteins that have the same flavor, mouthfeel, functionality, and nutritional properties as those from bovine sources. Imagindairy's proteins, produced by precision fermentation, can be used to create a large array of dairy products that are cholesterol-free, lactose-free, and hormone-free. The company’s innovative core technology utilizes advanced computational and molecular biology to amplify protein expression and develop cost-effective precision fermentation processes.
Cumulative Funding Raised Over Time ($)
$3.0MApr 2023
$4.5MJan 2021
$19.5MMay 2022
$32.5MNov 2021
Latest News
growth-positive
Regulator approves alternative proteins, but you can't try them yet
ImaginDairy, an Israeli company specializing in animal-free whey protein, has received regulatory approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health to market its factory-produced beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). This approval marks a significant step towards commercialization, although the company has yet to bring its products to market. ImaginDairy, founded within The Kitchen Foodtech Hub, has raised approximately $30 million from investors including Target Global and Danone. The company aims to provide environmentally friendly, cholesterol- and lactose-free dairy alternatives. Despite the regulatory approval, ImaginDairy faces challenges in scaling up production and maintaining product stability and pricing. The company is negotiating contracts with several food companies and has set up a production plant, with products like cheeses and yogurt available for tasting in their laboratories.
InvestmentCustomers
growth-positive
"חלב ללא פרה" מגיע לישראל: Imagindairy מקבלת אור ירוק בארץ
Imagindairy, an Israeli food tech company, has received approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health to market its animal-free milk proteins in Israel. This follows an earlier FDA approval for the U.S. market. The company uses precision fermentation technology to produce milk proteins identical to cows milk without using animals, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. The approval allows Imagindairy to expand its operations and offer its products to Israeli consumers, marking a significant milestone for the company and the Israeli food tech industry. The company has raised over $30 million from investors, including Danone and Strauss. This development highlights the growing importance of sustainable food solutions and the potential impact on the food industry.
CustomersPartners
growth-positive
אישור שלישי בישראל לחברה שמייצרת חלבון אלטרנטיבי
ImagineDairy, an Israeli company, received marketing approval from Israels Ministry of Health for its lab-produced milk protein, BLG. This marks the third such approval in Israel for alternative proteins, following ReMilk and Aleph Farms. ImagineDairy, founded by Dr. Eyal Afergan and Dr. Eyal Abu, has raised approximately $30 million from investors including Danone and employs dozens in Haifa. The company aims to offer dairy alternatives without cholesterol or lactose, promoting environmental benefits. Despite not yet having products on the market, ImagineDairy has agreements with food companies and plans for full commercialization in Israel. The company faces challenges in scaling production while maintaining quality and affordability.
InvestmentCustomers
growth-positive
Imagindairy Offices - Haifa | Office Snapshots
Imagindairy, a food tech company pioneering cow-free milk production, has had its Haifa workspace designed by Studio Samuelov to reflect its innovative and forward-thinking ethos. The design integrates laboratory and office spaces to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity. The layout symbolizes the convergence of science and creativity, encouraging spontaneous interactions and idea exchanges between scientists, engineers, and creative professionals. The design approach aims to foster a culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration, supporting Imagindairys goals of transforming the dairy industry and reducing environmental impact.
Expand
Growth-Positive
Imagindairy has been selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the 100 Technology Pioneers for 2024 - Entrée Capital
The World Economic Forum has announced the 100 companies that will join its Technology Pioneers Community for the 2024 cohort. These companies are utilizing advances in AI to develop solutions for various industries, including clean energy, healthcare, biotech, space, and neurotechnology. The 2024 cohort has a strong representation from the largest entrepreneurship ecosystems in the world, namely the United States, China, and India, with India having more start-ups than ever before.
PartnersExpand
| Sector | Agriculture & Food Technologies |
Funding
| Total funding | $33.46M |
| Last funding | $960K |
| Stage | Seed |
| Rounds | 5 |
| Investors | 13 |
Team Members
7
Employees: 11-50
Web & Social Links
| Website | imagindairy.com/ |
| Careers | Careers page |
Locations
Haifa, Israel
Photos & Videos
1 item(s)
Imagindairy Business
Business models
B2B
Product stage
R&D
Employees
11-50
Sector
Climate TechFood & Land UseSustainable ProteinsAgriculture & Food TechnologiesFood TechNovel Food & IngredientsTarget Customer
Agriculture & FoodLivestockDairyCore Technology
BiologicalsCellsArtificial IntelligenceTags (6)
proteinsclimate-techfoodtechbiotechnologyalternative-proteinartificial-intelligenceImagindairy Financials
$33.46M
Total funding
Undisclosed
Capital raised
$960K
Last funding
Seed
Funding stage
5
Total rounds
13
Investors
Cumulative Funding Raised Over Time ($)
$3.0MApr 2023
$4.5MJan 2021
$19.5MMay 2022
$32.5MNov 2021
Private Equity Funding
Undisclosed Round
Apr 2023
$3M
Danone Manifesto Ventures (Lead)
,
Entrée Capital
Seed
May 2022
$15M
Target Global (Lead)
,
Strauss Investments, PeakBridge , Green Circle Foodtech Ventures, Entrée Capital, New Climate Ventures, Collaborative Fund
Seed
Nov 2021
$13M
MoreVC (Lead), Entrée Capital (Lead)
,
The Kitchen FoodTech Hub, New Climate Ventures, S2G Investments, Unovis, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures
Pre-Seed
Jan 2021
$1.5M
Entrée Capital, Strauss Investments, PeakBridge , CPT Capital
Non-Equity Funding
GrantEvent
Jan 2024
$960K
BIRD Foundation
Imagindairy Lifecycle
Cumulative Funding Raised Over Time
$3.0MApr 2023
$4.5MJan 2021
$19.5MMay 2022
$32.5MNov 2021
All Events
Undisclosed Round
Apr 2023
$3M
Danone Manifesto Ventures (Lead)
,
Entrée Capital
Seed
May 2022
$15M
Target Global (Lead)
,
Strauss Investments, PeakBridge , Green Circle Foodtech Ventures, Entrée Capital, New Climate Ventures, Collaborative Fund
Seed
Nov 2021
$13M
MoreVC (Lead), Entrée Capital (Lead)
,
The Kitchen FoodTech Hub, New Climate Ventures, S2G Investments, Unovis, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures
Pre-Seed
Jan 2021
$1.5M
Entrée Capital, Strauss Investments, PeakBridge , CPT Capital
GrantEvent
Jan 2024
$960K
BIRD Foundation
Imagindairy News
17 articles
growth-positive
Regulator approves alternative proteins, but you can't try them yet
ImaginDairy, an Israeli company specializing in animal-free whey protein, has received regulatory approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health to market its factory-produced beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). This approval marks a significant step towards commercialization, although the company has yet to bring its products to market. ImaginDairy, founded within The Kitchen Foodtech Hub, has raised approximately $30 million from investors including Target Global and Danone. The company aims to provide environmentally friendly, cholesterol- and lactose-free dairy alternatives. Despite the regulatory approval, ImaginDairy faces challenges in scaling up production and maintaining product stability and pricing. The company is negotiating contracts with several food companies and has set up a production plant, with products like cheeses and yogurt available for tasting in their laboratories.
InvestmentCustomers
growth-positive
"חלב ללא פרה" מגיע לישראל: Imagindairy מקבלת אור ירוק בארץ
Imagindairy, an Israeli food tech company, has received approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health to market its animal-free milk proteins in Israel. This follows an earlier FDA approval for the U.S. market. The company uses precision fermentation technology to produce milk proteins identical to cows milk without using animals, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. The approval allows Imagindairy to expand its operations and offer its products to Israeli consumers, marking a significant milestone for the company and the Israeli food tech industry. The company has raised over $30 million from investors, including Danone and Strauss. This development highlights the growing importance of sustainable food solutions and the potential impact on the food industry.
CustomersPartners
growth-positive
אישור שלישי בישראל לחברה שמייצרת חלבון אלטרנטיבי
ImagineDairy, an Israeli company, received marketing approval from Israels Ministry of Health for its lab-produced milk protein, BLG. This marks the third such approval in Israel for alternative proteins, following ReMilk and Aleph Farms. ImagineDairy, founded by Dr. Eyal Afergan and Dr. Eyal Abu, has raised approximately $30 million from investors including Danone and employs dozens in Haifa. The company aims to offer dairy alternatives without cholesterol or lactose, promoting environmental benefits. Despite not yet having products on the market, ImagineDairy has agreements with food companies and plans for full commercialization in Israel. The company faces challenges in scaling production while maintaining quality and affordability.
InvestmentCustomers
growth-positive
Imagindairy Offices - Haifa | Office Snapshots
Imagindairy, a food tech company pioneering cow-free milk production, has had its Haifa workspace designed by Studio Samuelov to reflect its innovative and forward-thinking ethos. The design integrates laboratory and office spaces to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity. The layout symbolizes the convergence of science and creativity, encouraging spontaneous interactions and idea exchanges between scientists, engineers, and creative professionals. The design approach aims to foster a culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration, supporting Imagindairys goals of transforming the dairy industry and reducing environmental impact.
Expand
Growth-Positive
Imagindairy has been selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the 100 Technology Pioneers for 2024 - Entrée Capital
The World Economic Forum has announced the 100 companies that will join its Technology Pioneers Community for the 2024 cohort. These companies are utilizing advances in AI to develop solutions for various industries, including clean energy, healthcare, biotech, space, and neurotechnology. The 2024 cohort has a strong representation from the largest entrepreneurship ecosystems in the world, namely the United States, China, and India, with India having more start-ups than ever before.
PartnersExpand
growth-positive
Imagindairy acquires industrial-scale precision fermentation lines for animal-free whey: 'This will allow us to support mass-market adoption'
Israeli startup Imagindairy has acquired industrial-scale precision fermentation production lines at an undisclosed location and expects products containing its animal-free whey protein to launch in the US this year. The company has received a “no questions” letter from the FDA affirming the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status of its whey. Imagindairy has raised just over $30 million to date from backers including Danone. The company plans to bring the whey protein beta-lactoglobulin to the US market and is also working on a range of other milk proteins. Imagindairys customer pipeline spans small companies to multinationals looking to meet ESG goals by replacing some whey from cows with whey made by microbes.
AcquisitionExpand
growth-positive
Foodtech startup Imagindairy receives FDA approval for animal-free milk proteins | CTech
Imagindairy, an Israeli foodtech startup specializing in animal-free milk protein development, has received FDA approval for its products. The approval signifies the safety of its products for consumer use and allows the company to explore commercial collaborations, market its products, and engage in sales with a diverse range of food companies in the American market. Imagindairys technology enables the production of a broad spectrum of dairy analogs, from raw milk to cheese, without involving animals. The company has raised over $30 million to date and plans to collaborate with food giants such as Danone and Strauss.
CustomersPartnersInvestment
Israeli foodtech startup secures US regulatory nod for cow-free dairy protein
growth-positive
"מהפכה בשוק החלב": החברה שמפתחת חלבונים הזהים לאלו מהפרה
Imagindairy, a FoodTech startup, is developing proteins identical to those found in cows milk, which can be used as raw materials in the food industry. The company, founded in 2020 with the support of Strausss FoodTech incubator, The Kitchen, is currently advancing its development towards marketing its first products. The companys production method is based on precision fermentation, combined with innovative technology. This allows the company to produce large quantities of proteins in the most efficient and economical way, bringing tasty and nutritious products to the market at a competitive price for the consumer.
InvestmentExpand
Imagindairy Obtains Self-Affirmed GRAS Status in the US for Animal-Free Protein, Inaugurates Headquarters
growth-positive
Danone invests in animal-free dairy startup Imagindairy
Danone Manifesto Ventures has taken a minority stake in Imagindairy, an Israeli startup that produces animal-free dairy proteins through precision fermentation. This move marks Danones entry into the animal-free dairy space. Imagindairy plans to bring beta-lactoglobulin (whey protein) to the US market and is also working on other milk proteins. The company has raised $28 million to date and aims to reach cost parity and beyond through efficient fermentation processes. Animal-free dairy products offer sustainability and ethical benefits without relying on industrialized animal agriculture. Other players in the animal-free dairy space include Perfect Day, Remilk, Change Foods, New Culture, All G Foods, Formo, Those Vegan Cowboys, Daisy Lab, and molecular farming players. The market for animal-free dairy is still in its early stages, with big players like General Mills, Starbucks, Mars, Nestlé, Bel Brands, and Unilever testing the waters.
PartnersInvestment
growth-positive
Imagindairy extends Seed round to $28 million for animal-free dairy solution CTech
Imagindairy, a foodtech startup, has secured an additional $15 million in its extended Seed-round, bringing the total investment capital to $28 million. The funding was led by Target Global and joined by existing investors, including Strauss Group and Emerald Technology Ventures. Imagindairy uses proprietary precision-fermentation technology to create animal-free milk proteins from microorganisms, allowing the production of dairy analogs without involving animals. The companys dairy proteins are non-GMO, cholesterol-free, and have the same flavor, texture, functionality, and nutritional value as cow-based counterparts. The funding will help advance Imagindairys vision of making true dairy alternative products a day-to-day reality.
Investment
growth-positive
Imagindairy targets 2023 launch for animal-free dairy after successful funding round
Imagindairy has developed a new technological approach to produce dairy proteins without cows, using precision fermentation. The company aims to bring its cow-free, sustainable milk and dairy products to market by 2023. Investors in Imagindairy include MoreVC, Strauss Group, Entrée Capital, S2G Ventures, Collaborative Fund, New Climate Ventures, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures, Emerald Technology Ventures, and Pierre Besnainou. The company is focused on B2B markets and is collaborating with dairy companies to offer dairy-free proteins. Imagindairys technology feeds microorganisms instead of cows, resulting in highly functional milk proteins that are indistinguishable from animal-based dairy. The companys approach is seen as a solution for creating more sustainable and animal-free dairy products.
CustomersPartnersInvestment
growth-positive
Imagindairy closes $13m seed round to create cow-free dairy proteins
Israeli alt-milk startup Imagindairy has raised $13 million in seed funding. The company uses precision fermentation techniques to create milk proteins and offers its technology to manufacturers in the food industry. The funding will be used to grow the team, expand headquarters, and boost R&D capacity.
InvestmentExpand
growth-positive
Don't have a cow: Imagindairy introduces animal-free dairy products
Israeli startup Imagindairy has developed technology to create animal-free versions of whey and casein proteins found in milk. The company aims to offer the same flavor, texture, functionality, and nutritional value of regular milk without the use of animals. Imagindairy has raised $1.5 million in seed funding led by The Kitchen FoodTech Hub, with contributions from the Israeli Innovation Authority, CPT Capital, New Crop Capital, and Entrée Capital. The company plans to enter its A round funding series soon.
Investment
growth-positive
Cutting out the middlecow: Israeli start-up Imagindairy on why lab-made milk will prove tastier and healthier than the real thing
Israeli company Imagindairy is developing lab-grown milk using bioengineered yeast. The company aims to create dairy products that are identical to those made from animal milk, but with superior health and environmental benefits. Imagindairys technology involves precision fermentation and gene expression to produce proteins from another organism. The company claims to have algorithms that can increase protein expression up to 200 times compared to existing technologies. By eliminating cholesterol, lactose, and somatic cells, Imagindairys lab-grown milk is expected to be more efficient and cheaper to produce than conventional milk. The companys goal is to provide consumers with an alternative to dairy products that is tasty, healthy, and nutritious.
CustomersInvestment
growth-positive
https://www.jpost.com/health-science/israeli-researchers-working-to-produce-affordable-cows-milk-from-yeast-654132
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have established a startup called Imagindairy, which aims to produce cows milk without cows using yeast. The startup claims that its milk and cheese products will be healthier than animal-produced milk, as they wont contain cholesterol, lactose, or somatic cells. The challenge lies in creating a product that retains the nutritional values, taste, aroma, and texture of cows milk. The team at Imagindairy is using a decade-long research on gene expression and biophysical simulations to engineer yeast cells to produce milk proteins. The ultimate goal is to make yeast cells efficient factories for producing milk proteins on an industrial scale. The process is still in development and requires further steps before becoming operational.
InvestmentExpand
Imagindairy Team
Employee Info
| Employees (range) | 11-50 |
| Exact count | 32 |
| Team members | 8 |
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Imagindairy Internal
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Admin Info
| Confidence | 100/100 |
| Missing | markets |
| BI Verification | Ortal Wein |
| Registrar ID | 516186582 |
| Crunchbase | imagindairy |
| Creator | Hilla Gorokhovsky |
| Creator email | hilla.gorokhovsky@sncentral.org |
| Last updater | Ortal Wein |
| Updater email | ortalw@sncentral.org |
| Last update | 2024-07-07T00:00:00.000Z |
| Created | 2020-10-04T00:00:00.000Z |
| Claimed | Yes |