Prolupin announces the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund as an additional investor in its growth financing round

PORTFOLIO NEWS
eCAPITAL portfolio company Prolupin, the innovative plant-based protein company based in Grimmen, Germany, today announced the closing of the current financing round with the investment of the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund.

In addition to the existing investors, Munich Venture Partners and eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS, the renowned investors Capricorn Partners and Novax have already participated in the financing round in spring.

Since the launch of its vegan brand Made with LUVE in 2015, Prolupin has enjoyed exceptional annual growth. The new financing now enables the company to address the mass market for further growth and international expansion.

The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) is a new pan-European fund that invests in growth companies in the bioeconomy and circular bioeconomy with equity and mezzanine financings. The ECBF is backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) as the cornerstone investor and by Hauck & Aufhäuser Fund Services S.A. administered in Luxembourg. Backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and managed by Hauck & Aufhäuser Fund Services S.A. in Luxembourg, ECBF is the first growth-fund fund exclusively dedicated to the bioeconomy in Europe that focus on catalyzes sustainable innovations.

The Capricorn Partners, Novax, and ECBF investment brings a broad mix of technology expertise and trade network resources to Prolupin as it seeks to grow its plant-based offerings from lupines both B2B and B2C, including the non-dairy yoghurts, milks, ice creams and cream cheeses on the European market under the vegan Made with LUVE brand.

The ECBF funding will make an important contribution to accelerate the growth of Prolupin within B2B and B2C. The research & development, marketing and distribution we are now able to deploy over the coming years will put our unique Lupine Protein Isolate (LPI) as well as the vegan Made with LUVE brand center stage for customers and consumers aiming for a healthy, sustainable ingredient and lifestyle.

Malte Stampe (CEO, Prolupin GmbH)

Reiner Kuester, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Prolupin, stressed: “We are pleased to welcome the ECBF and the expertise it brings to the Advisory Board. With its international network and its focus on sustainability, the ECBF can significantly contribute to strengthening Prolupin’s position as a strong player in the fast-growing market of plant-based foods.

Bernd Arkenau, Partner at eCAPITAL, adds: “With the ECBF we have another strong partner on board, who will support the further internationalization of the company”.

Michael Brandkamp, Managing Partners at ECBF, says: ” Prolupin is a fast-growing plant-based protein company with its successfully established dairy-alternatives brand made with LUVE. The growth in consumer demand for healthier food with a reduced environmental footprint will be long-lasting. With its lupine-based protein Prolupin is well positioned to capture a significant share in this market and to contribute to making our societies more sustainable.”

The investment bank Bryan, Garnier & Co was appointed as exclusive financial advisor for the transaction.

About Prolupin
Prolupin is a spin out from the  Fraunhofer-Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung (IVV) in Munich with deep scientific expertise and a patent protected process for producing protein isolates from lupines. The company produces and markets a range of purely plant-based non-dairy alternatives to yoghurts, milks, ice creams and cream cheeses to address the growing demand for tasty plant-based foods for consumers focused on health and sustainability. For further information contact Malte Stampe, CEO at ms@prolupin.de or www.prolupin.com and madewithluve.de

About European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)
ECBF is the first equity fund exclusively dedicated to the bioeconomy in Europe. Founded in 2019 and established in Luxemburg, ECBF aims to stimulate private and public capital investment into growth-stage ventures where favorable returns and sustainable impact is a winning formula. With a total target size of €250 million and having the European Investment Bank (EIB) as anchor investor, ECBF catalyzes sustainable innovations bringing Europe’s circular technologies and bio-products to market. ECBF is able to provide mezzanine financings as well as typical venture capital investments to the EU-27 associated countries and relies on the experienced investment team of ECBF Management GmbH and robust networks to fuel business growth. Find more information under http://www.ecbf.vc

About eCAPITAL
eCAPITAL is a venture capital firm that provides early to growth stage funding to technology companies in the fields of software & information technology, cybersecurity, industry 4.0, new materials and cleantech. Founded in 1999, eCAPITAL has a history of supporting entrepreneurs determined to build companies with lasting significance. Partnering with eCAPITAL means joining an international network of business leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists and potential partners. eCAPITAL is located in Germany, currently manages funds with over EUR 220 million under management and was lead investor of some very successful German exits like sonnen or Novaled. Find more information under http://www.ecapital.vc.

Contact
Prolupin GmbH
Malte Stampe
Tribseeser Chaussee 1
18507 Grimmen, Germany
eMail: ms@prolupin.de
www.prolupin.com

eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS AG
Bettina Schäfer
Hafenweg 24
48155 Münster, Germany
Tel.: +49 251 70 37 67 0
eMail: info@ecapital.vc
www.ecapital.vc