Ferm Labs, a Swiss-Italian startup developing bioprocessing solutions for clean-label food ingredients, has secured €3 million in Series A funding to expand its manufacturing operations and strengthen its presence across Europe.
The round was led by CDP Venture Capital, with participation from Fund F, Redstone, Euregio+, Alpine VC, and Loacker. The capital injection comes as the company, founded in 2025 and headquartered in Zug, aims to scale its deep-tech platform that produces sustainable flavour ingredients through advanced bioprocessing methods.
Expansion Plans
Ferm Labs plans to deploy the fresh capital across three primary objectives. The company will expand bioprocessing capacity at its production facility in Bolzano, South Tyrol, while simultaneously growing its European B2B sales team and increasing research and development headcount to develop new product categories.
The investment reflects growing investor appetite for sustainable ingredient solutions in the food sector, particularly as manufacturers seek alternatives to traditional synthesis methods and consumers demand cleaner product labels.
Enrico Filì, representing the lead investor, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory. “Ferm Labs has built an extraordinary DeepTech platform that redefines efficiency, sustainability, and flavour performance,” he stated. “We are thrilled to lead this round and support Stephanie, Mattia, and the team as they scale manufacturing and drive European expansion.”
Market Opportunity
The clean-label food ingredients market has become increasingly competitive as major food manufacturers face pressure to reformulate products and eliminate artificial additives. Bioprocessing technologies offer potential advantages over conventional chemical synthesis, including reduced environmental impact and alignment with consumer preferences for naturally derived components.
Ferm Labs’ positioning at the intersection of Switzerland’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem and Italy’s food production heritage positions the company to serve a diverse base of European food and beverage manufacturers seeking ingredient solutions that meet both regulatory requirements and market demands.
The company’s selection of investors signals the round’s strategic focus. The participation of Loacker, an established South Tyrolean confectionery company, suggests potential collaboration opportunities and market access within the broader food industry. Regional development funds Euregio+ and Alpine VC indicate support from local economic development initiatives, while the broader investor syndicate demonstrates confidence in the company’s European growth potential.
As European food manufacturers continue navigating complex regulations and consumer expectations around ingredient transparency, companies developing alternative production methods for widely-used components represent a significant market opportunity. Ferm Labs’ funding success underscores investor recognition of bioprocessing as a credible pathway to sustainable food ingredient innovation, positioning the startup within a broader wave of deep-tech companies reshaping how Europe’s food industry sources and manufactures essential components.