What is Protealis All About?
Protealis is on a mission to grow more sustainable plant-based proteins right here in Europe. Inspired by the potential of legume crops, this company is all about unlocking their full power. Using innovative breeding technologies and proprietary seed coatings, Protealis is opening new doors for European farmers. The goal? To help tackle Europe’s protein deficit and meet the soaring demand for meat and dairy substitutes among consumers and the food industry. Born in April 2021 as a spin-off from the VIB (Flemish Biotech Institute) and ILVO (Institute of Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research), Protealis has quickly grown into a commercial-stage company. Today, it boasts nine early maturity soy varieties on the market and is based in the biotech cluster of Ghent, Belgium.
The Main Benefit: Empowering Sustainability
At its core, Protealis develops superior seeds and seed technologies tailored for legume crops, making them better suited to Europe’s unique environment. Their mission? To be the top supplier of germplasm for sustainable plant proteins across Europe. Here’s a quick snapshot of what they bring to the table:
- Innovative breeding combined with nitrogen fixation technology
- New opportunities for European farmers to bridge the protein gap
- Local and sustainable supply options for meat producers and dairy alternatives
- Focus on environmental responsibility and sustainable agriculture
Meet the Team Behind Protealis
Protealis was founded by Benjamin Laga and Jonas Aper, two experts with deep roots in plant biotech. Benjamin, the CEO, brings over 20 years of international seed business and innovation experience, having been the Global Head for Plant Biotech Research at BASF. Jonas, the Director of Breeding, has led the soy breeding program at ILVO since 2013. Together, they lead a passionate team of scientists and industry pros who work every day to add value for farmers while protecting the environment. It’s a group that’s as enthusiastic as it is experienced.
Strong Leadership and Board Support
The company benefits from a seasoned board of directors. Chairman David Buckeridge is a seed industry veteran who once led Advanta Seeds, the world’s 5th largest seed company, to a successful exit. Since then, he’s been active in private equity for food and agriculture with Paine Schwartz and holds several advisory roles in biotech and agtech. Adding to this expertise, Hartmut van Lengerich joined the board in April 2024. With a 30-year career at Bayer CropScience, including CEO roles and senior VP positions overseeing billions in sales, he brings invaluable knowledge to Protealis.
Active Memberships and Industry Connections
Protealis isn’t working in isolation. It’s an active member of several important networks like Seed@bel, Donau Soja Organisation, and the German Soy Promotion Association (Deutscher Sojaförderring eV). Since 2022, these collaborations have focused on building a sustainable, safe, and European protein supply. And here’s a cool fact: in October 2024, Protealis was selected for the EIC Scaling Club, an exclusive community of over 120 of Europe’s most promising deep-tech scale-ups. Notably, Protealis was the only Belgian company among the 12 Agri & Food Tech firms chosen. This platform connects top innovators with investors and industry leaders, driving growth and tackling global challenges with cutting-edge solutions.
Protealis’ Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by improving local protein production and food security
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – through advanced breeding technologies
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – promoting sustainable agriculture
- SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing reliance on imported proteins and lowering carbon footprints
- SDG 15: Life on Land – supporting biodiversity through sustainable farming practices
Backing and Financial Strength
Protealis has attracted strong financial support from a broad investor syndicate. The series A round in 2021 raised EUR 12.0 million, backed by V-Bio Ventures, Innovation Industries, Agri Investment Fund (AIF), Korys, PMV, Estari Group, Globachem Group, Thia Ventures, HFT holding, Gemma Frisius Fund, and VIB. Then, in January 2024, a series B round brought in EUR 22.0 million, fully supported by the existing investors. This solid financial foundation fuels Protealis’ growth and innovation, helping it push the boundaries of sustainable plant protein production in Europe.
