Verley, a Lyon-based nutrition ingredient startup specializing in precision fermentation-derived whey proteins, has secured an oversubscribed €32 million Series A round to scale production capacity and support international expansion.
The round was led by Alven, with participation from Blast and the French Tech Seed Fund operated by Bpifrance under the France 2030 programme. Existing investors Sofinnova Partners, Sparkfood, Captech, and Founders Future also reinvested, alongside additional non-dilutive funding from Bpifrance. The financing positions the company among the larger recent European rounds in the precision fermentation and functional protein ingredient sector.
What The Company Does
Founded in 2022, Verley develops high-purity, functional whey proteins using precision fermentation technology rather than traditional dairy production. Its platform is designed to produce proteins such as beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) with strong nutritional and functional performance, tailored for integration into food and beverage manufacturing processes.
The company’s ingredient portfolio, marketed under the FermWhey brand, focuses on functionalised whey proteins engineered for applications including high-protein yoghurts, beverages, and nutritional products. These ingredients are designed to offer high purity, strong solubility, emulsification, and gelling properties, while maintaining optimized nutritional profiles suitable for modern product formulations.
By using fermentation-based production methods, Verley aims to significantly reduce reliance on conventional dairy supply chains and lower the environmental footprint associated with protein manufacturing. Its technology is also structured to integrate into existing industrial value chains, enabling food manufacturers to adopt alternative proteins without major process overhauls.
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Market Context / Industry Background
Demand for high-protein nutrition has expanded rapidly across multiple consumer categories, including functional foods, sports nutrition, and medical nutrition products. The global protein ingredients market continues to grow, driven by shifting dietary preferences, population growth, and increased interest in health-focused consumption patterns.
At the same time, the dairy industry is facing mounting pressure related to resource constraints, sustainability requirements, and supply volatility. Precision fermentation is increasingly viewed as a scalable alternative for producing functional proteins with consistent quality and reduced environmental impact.
Within Europe, most funding in fermentation and functional ingredient startups has historically been concentrated at the seed stage, with comparatively fewer large Series rounds. Verley’s €32 million raise therefore stands out within the regional landscape, where many adjacent companies in fermentation-based ingredients and alternative proteins have secured smaller early-stage financings in recent years.
Additionally, emerging health trends, including the broader adoption of GLP-1 treatments and increased focus on protein intake for metabolic and nutritional support, are contributing to sustained demand for high-quality, easily digestible protein sources across global markets.
Founder / Investor Commentary
CEO and co-founder Stéphane Mac Millan stated that the company’s objective is to address growing global demand for high-quality nutrition while reducing pressure on natural resources and traditional dairy systems. He emphasized that Verley is leveraging established dairy expertise alongside fermentation technology to build a scalable European player in functional protein ingredients.
Co-founder and Chief Innovation and Commercial Officer Hélène Briand noted that the new funding will allow the company to scale both production capacity and the functional performance of its ingredients. She highlighted that Verley’s functionalisation technologies are designed to meet real industrial constraints and application requirements, reinforcing the relevance of precision fermentation for large-scale food manufacturing.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
The €32 million Series A proceeds will primarily be used to expand Verley’s production capacity and support commercial scaling, particularly with a focus on entering the US market and onboarding early customers. The company also plans to continue investing in research and development to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and performance of its fermentation platform.
In parallel, Verley aims to strengthen its industrial capabilities to meet increasing demand from food and beverage brands seeking sustainable, high-performance protein ingredients. By scaling manufacturing and advancing its technology, the company intends to position itself as a key supplier for next-generation high-protein products aligned with evolving consumer and regulatory expectations.
About Verley
Verley is a France-based food and nutrition ingredient company developing functional whey proteins through precision fermentation. Founded in 2022. Headquartered in Lyon, France. The company’s mission is to deliver scalable, high-performance protein ingredients that support sustainable food production and meet rising global demand for high-quality nutrition.
