Foreverland, a FoodTech company, has secured €6 million in a new funding round to accelerate the European expansion of its cocoa-free chocolate alternative, Choruba.
The investment brings the company’s total funding to €9.4 million, with participation from existing investors Kost Capital and Maia Ventures, alongside new backing from CDP Venture Capital, Linfa agrifoodtech fund managed by Riello Investimenti SGR, and Newtree Impact. The funding will support commercial growth and production scale-up as demand for alternative ingredients increases.
What The Company Does
Founded in 2022 by Massimo Sabatini, Riccardo Bottiroli, Giuseppe D’Alessandro, and Massimo Brochetta, Foreverland develops food ingredients designed to replace critical raw materials with more sustainable and regionally sourced alternatives.
Its core product, Choruba, is a cocoa-free chocolate substitute made from Mediterranean crops such as carob. The product is formulated to replicate the taste, texture, and functionality of conventional chocolate while reducing reliance on cocoa, a commodity increasingly affected by supply volatility and environmental constraints.
Foreverland operates an IFS-certified production facility in Italy, where it processes locally sourced ingredients into industrial-grade chocolate alternatives. The company produces Choruba in multiple formats, including chips, drops, and liquid, with an annual capacity of up to 500 tonnes.
According to the company, its production process significantly reduces environmental impact compared to traditional chocolate, using substantially less water and generating lower carbon emissions while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.
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Market Context / Industry Background
The global cocoa supply chain is facing increasing pressure due to climate change, price volatility, and geopolitical factors affecting major producing regions. These challenges are driving food manufacturers to explore alternative ingredients that can ensure supply stability while meeting sustainability targets.
At the same time, regulatory and consumer demand for environmentally responsible products is pushing the food industry toward lower-impact sourcing and production methods. This is particularly relevant in confectionery, where cocoa production is associated with high water usage and carbon emissions.
Cocoa alternatives remain an emerging category, with limited industrial-scale solutions available. Companies that can offer functional substitutes compatible with existing production systems are positioned to address both sustainability requirements and supply chain resilience.
Founder / Investor Commentary
Massimo Sabatini, co-founder and CEO of Foreverland, highlighted the brands’ positioning as both an innovator and an industrial partner within the food sector. He noted that the latest funding reflects confidence in the company’s ability to deliver scalable solutions to confectionery manufacturers.
“This round validates our execution, not just as a FoodTech innovator, but as a reliable industrial partner for confectionery manufacturers. With IFS Food certification in place and demand accelerating, we’re scaling commercial growth across Europe, strengthening key partnerships and bringing in senior talent from the cocoa and chocolate industry to support manufacturers at scale,” he said.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
The newly raised capital will be used to expand Foreverland’s presence across key European markets, including Germany, France, and Italy. The company plans to strengthen partnerships with confectionery manufacturers and increase its role as a supplier of alternative ingredients at an industrial level.
In parallel, the organization is expanding its product portfolio with a dedicated organic line of Choruba, targeting growing demand for certified organic food products. The company states that it is currently the only producer offering an organic cocoa-free chocolate alternative at industrial scale.
The funding will also support team expansion, particularly in senior commercial roles, as the company seeks to scale operations and support manufacturers integrating its products into their supply chains.
About Foreverland
Foreverland is a FoodTech company developing sustainable alternatives to traditional food ingredients. Founded in 2022 and based in Italy, the company produces cocoa-free chocolate using Mediterranean-sourced raw materials such as carob. Its mission is to reduce dependency on vulnerable supply chains while offering environmentally lower-impact solutions for the food industry.
