ISRAEL | FoodTech start-up Gavan Technologies, Ltd. has raised USD 8M in A-round funds.
This fresh capital infusion will enable Gavan to enter the European food market with its cutting-edge plant protein-based fat solution, Fatrix.
The funding round was led by MoreVC, a prominent Israeli venture capital firm, with participation from Lever VC, a global leader in food and agri-tech investment; 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 establish a new pilot production facility in Europe and expand Gavan’s commercial presence, focusing on the bakery and dairy sectors. The site, planned to commence operations in April 2025, will feature a state-of-the-art production line for Gavan’s alternative fat solution.
Fatrix has been designed to help food manufacturers achieve a superior nutriscore for their products by reducing total fat, incredibly saturated fat. Using Fatrix as a fat source has reduced dependency on animal fats, awarded exceptional sensory value, and cleaned the label from undesired emulsifiers.
The food-tech visionaries at Gavan developed this multifunctional plant-based fat. It can replace butter in bakery products and dairy alternatives one-to-one. Its all-natural fat formula comprises three simple ingredients: protein isolate, vegetable oil, and water, formulated into a high-performance gel.
Gavan’s patented technology has enabled the protein to perform as an optimal binder for water and oil, resulting in a smooth, stable, and flavourless emulsion. It also has a very low content of saturated fats and zero trans fats, as it is not hydrogenated. Fatrix has already been approved for the market and does not require regulatory approval for novel foods.
“This funding round opens the door for Gavan to enter the European food market, where we can quickly make a positive impact. Our new, fully EU-certified facility is planned to go commercial as early as April next year,” said Itai Cohen, Gavan’s co-founder and CEO.
Fatrix has filled the market gap for a clean-label fat substitute that is crave-worthy, highly functional, and affordable. It has maintained stability and water- and fat-holding capacity even under high heat and physical pressure processing conditions.
It has also added functional value to dairy analogs such as whipping creams, cooking creams, cream cheeses, and puddings without adding thickeners or stabilisers, allowing 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 flavours, elevates textures, and enhances the dining experience in general,” said Rony Patishi-Chillim of MoreVC.
“The food industry is in need of a plant-based fat that can provide the same indulgent flavour and mouthfeel as butter while supporting sustainability and personal well-being. Gavan’s unique fat creation platform is market-ready and has the potential to make a significant contribution to the USD 253B fats and oils market.”
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