Gavan Technologies, Ltd., a Caesarea, Israel-headquartered startup food technology company, has secured US $8 million in A-round funds. This capital infusion, on top of $2.5 million in seed money previously raised, will enable it to introduce plant protein-based Fatrix to the European food market.
The latest funding round was led by MoreVC, an Israeli venture capital firm, with participation from Lever VC, a food and agri-tech investment specialist; EIT Food, a European Union-supported platform for sustainable food innovations; and DarkBoot Group, a private equity firm involved in Gavan’s incubation.
The proceeds will be used to establish a new pilot production facility in Europe and expand Gavan’s commercial presence on the continent with focus on the bakery and dairy sectors. The site, scheduled to begin operations in April of 2025, will feature a state-of-the-art production line for Fatrix. The alternative fat is designed to help food manufacturers reach a superior nutriscore for products by reducing total fat and especially saturated fat content.
Like Butter
Fatrix can act as a one-to-one replacement for butter in a comprehensive range of bakery products and dairy alternatives. Its natural formula is composed of three simple ingredients: protein isolate, vegetable oil and water, formulated into a high-performance gel.
Gavan’s patented technology enables the protein to perform as an optimal binder for the water and oil. This results in a smooth, stable, and flavorless emulsion. It also has a very low content of saturated fats and zero trans fats as it is not hydrogenated. Fatrix is already approved for market, and does not require novel foods regulatory approval.
“This funding round opens the door for us to enter the European food market, where we can quickly make a positive impact,” said Itai Cohen, Gavan’s co-founder and chief executive officer. “Fatrix is neutral in flavor, odorless, and highly versatile, making it possible to create any texture required. “It maintains stability and water- and fat-holding capacity even under processing conditions of high heat and physical pressure.”
The scalable and cost efficient fat solution that has demonstrated its capacity for creating indulgent buttery sensations across multiple bakery products like brioche and croissants. It adds functional value to dairy analogs such as whipping creams, cooking creams, cream cheeses, and puddings without the need for added thickeners or stabilizers. It also allows for cleaner, more consumer-friendly labels.
Gavan’s zero-waste platform is compatible with a diverse range of plant-based oils and legumes allowing it to provide tailored solutions to meet specific customer preferences or application requirements.
“Fat plays an essential role in the creation of almost all foods. It gives depth to flavors, elevates textures, and enhances the dining experience in general,” stated Rony Patishi-Chillim of MoreVC. “The food industry is in need of a plant-based fat that can provide the same indulgent flavor and mouthfeel as butter, while supporting sustainability and personal well-being. Gavan’s fat creation platform is market-ready and has the potential to make a truly meaningful contribution to the $253 billion fats and oils market.”
About Gavan
Founded in 2018, Gavan Technologies specializes in the development of functional ingredients for the food industry. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the company offers plant-based protein extraction technology as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional animal-derived products. Its flagship product is a multi-texture fat analogue, carefully crafted for the bakery, meat, and dairy markets, offering notable sensorial and nutritional benefits.
