REDUCED raises €4m Series A extension to industrialise fermentation-based flavour platform

Copenhagen-based foodtech company, REDUCED, scales fermentation platform that upcycles food side streams into high-performance savoury ingredients

Copenhagen – 20 February 2026 – REDUCED has raised an additional EUR 4 million in a Series A extension, bringing its total Series A financing to EUR 12 million.

The round, co-led by Delphinus Venture Capital alongside Novo Holdings, ECBF VC and EIFO, will support the industrial scale-up of REDUCED’s fermentation-based platform, which converts food side streams into natural, clean-label savoury ingredients for large-scale food manufacturers.

With the new funding, the company aims to expand production capacity, strengthen quality systems and supply chain integration, and deepen commercial partnerships across Europe and beyond.

Industrialising next-generation savoury ingredients

The global savoury ingredients market represents a multi-billion-euro opportunity, driven by increasing demand for natural alternatives. At the same time, food manufacturers face mounting pressure to reformulate products with clean-label ingredients while maintaining taste, functionality and cost efficiency. Existing natural flavour solutions often rely on HVP’s or meat and yeast  extracts that lack the complexity, depth and top notes required in customer relevant applications.

To address this challenge, REDUCED has developed a proprietary fermentation platform that converts underutilised food processing side streams into high-value, clean-label ingredients at industrial scale. By combining solid state fermentation with controlled reaction processes, the company consistently generates complex flavour profiles tailored to the needs of multinational food producers and food service operators.

Unlike conventional clean-label alternatives, REDUCED’s platform produces a broad spectrum of naturally derived flavour compounds, including umami, kokumi and Maillard reaction notes, delivering roasted character, depth and sensory complexity comparable to traditional flavour systems. By valorising side streams from the food industry, the company also contributes to a more circular and resource-efficient food system.

From technology development to full industrial deployment

The Series A extension marks a decisive step in REDUCED’s transition from technology development to full industrial supply. The capital will be used to expand the company’s ingredient portfolio, scale production to meet growing demand from multinational customers, and further strengthen commercial capabilities.

Over the past year, REDUCED has doubled its industrial partnerships and expanded its product portfolio across multiple application categories, underlining the increasing market traction of its fermentation-based flavour platform. With this funding, the company is positioning itself as a long-term ingredient partner to global food and ingredient producers seeking high-performance, clean-label flavour solutions.

Emil Munck de Voss, co-founder and CEO, REDUCED, said:

“2026 will be focused on continuing the industrialisation of our core technology, and this investment enables us to accelerate that journey. We are seeing strong momentum with industry and food service partners across Europe, and our ambition is to deepen these collaborations. Being well capitalised, with strong backing from both new and existing investors, is an important step in achieving this."

A strong investor syndicate to support next growth phase

The expanded investor group strengthens REDUCED’s capital base as the company scales its ingredient platform and increases its focus on industrial customers and large-scale production.

Mathias Brink Lorenz, Managing Partner, Delphinus Venture Capital, said:

“We are very pleased to join the strong investor group backing REDUCED and look forward to being part of the scaling journey in industrial food ingredients. REDUCED has the rare combination of a strong commercial founding team coupled with a solid technical platform to scale from. A perfect match for the investment focus of our fund.”

Thomas Grotkjær, Partner, Planetary Health Investments, Novo Holdings, said:

“Reduced has built a compelling enzyme- and fermentation-based platform for producing high-value, natural savoury ingredients. This financing will help strengthen quality systems, scale production, and accelerate progress with key industrial partners. We are pleased to continue supporting Reduced as the company advances into its next phase of growth.”

Jowita Sewerska, Investment Director, ECBF, adds:

“Industrial food ingredient production must become both more sustainable and more resilient. REDUCED’s scalable fermentation platform demonstrates how circular bio-based technologies can deliver competitive, high-performance solutions to global food manufacturers.”  

Sara Færch Hansen, Senior Associate, EIFO, said:

“We see a robust technological foundation, strong market need, and a highly capable team at REDUCED. Their approach shows how innovative Danish foodtech can deliver both sustainability and high‑value industrial ingredients. We are pleased to contribute to the company’s continued development as it scales its platform and strengthens its collaborations with major industry partners”

About REDUCED
REDUCED has developed unique fermentation processes that deliver flavour solutions with low carbon impact by repurposing side streams and provide cost-effective, natural, and flavour-rich food ingredients.

About Delphinus Venture Capital
Delphinus Venture Capital is a Danish evergreen venture capital fund investing in research-driven innovation and deeptech with the potential to create global impact.

About Novo Holdings
Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk and Novonesis and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seed, Venture, Growth, Planetary Health Investments and Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development. As of year-end 2024, Novo Holdings had total assets of EUR 142 billion.

About EIFO
As Denmark’s national promotional bank and official export credit agency, EIFO works to open doors for global business, drive the green transition, advance innovative technologies, and contribute to Denmark’s security. With total commitments exceeding EUR 22 billion and activities in more than 100 countries, EIFO provides financial solutions to Danish companies and their global partners. EIFO is also Denmark’s largest venture investor, investing in both startups and funds. In 2024, EIFO made 78 investments in companies and 16 in funds. 

About ECBF
ECBF is a specialist venture capital investor dedicated exclusively to the bioeconomy and circular economy. Launched in 2020 and backed by €300 million in committed capital, ECBF supports high-growth companies that turn breakthrough science into scalable businesses. Combining deep scientific expertise with a rigorous, impact-driven investment approach, the fund partners with outstanding entrepreneurs to build global category leaders that reduce pressure on planetary boundaries while delivering competitive, market-rate returns. www.ecbf.vc

Press contact | ECBF Management GmbH
Cornelia Mann | pr@ecbf.vc| +49.160.892.774.4