French Sustainable Ingredient Startups
Fungu'it Raised €4 Million to Scale its Production
Colin Smith — June 19, 2025
Fungu'it, a French FoodTech startup based in Dijon, has raised €4 million to scale its natural flavor production capabilities through a patented solid‐state fermentation process. The funding round, led by Asterion Ventures with contributions from Evolem and UI Investissement via Oser BFC, will be used to construct an industrial pilot plant. Founded in 2022, the company specializes in using filamentous fungi to convert agricultural by-products—such as flaxseed and sunflower press cakes—into natural flavorings, including a meaty umami note designed for plant-based products and a sustainable chocolate flavor that can reduce cocoa usage by up to 25%. This investment supports Fungu'it's efforts to accelerate commercialization and expand its production capacity in a market that increasingly values sustainable, resource-efficient technologies.
Fungu'it's innovative approach leverages a circular methodology by transforming waste materials into high-value ingredients while lowering both water and energy consumption relative to conventional production methods. The technology is positioned as a disruptive solution within the natural flavoring market, addressing the growing demand among manufacturers for healthier and more sustainable ingredients. By upcycling under-utilized raw materials, Fungu'it contributes to broader industry trends aimed at reducing environmental impacts and promoting resource efficiency in the agro-food sector.
