Leaft Foods
Leaft Foods is a New Zealand food technology company that commercially extracts Rubisco protein from alfalfa leaves, selling B2B ingredients (Rubisco Protein Isolate for baking/dairy and Alfalfa Protein Concentrate for pet food) plus a direct-to-consumer performance protein shot (Leaft Blade) to food manufacturers, pet food companies, and athletes in NZ, the US, and Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Leaft Foods does
Leaft Foods is a New Zealand-based food technology company that has commercialized the extraction of Rubisco protein — described as nature's most abundant protein — from green leafy crops (primarily alfalfa grown in Canterbury, New Zealand). The company operates a proprietary extraction platform that isolates Rubisco at commercial scale while preserving its functional properties (emulsification, foaming, gelling) that rival or exceed those of whey and egg proteins. Leaft sells across three distinct product lines: a B2B Rubisco Protein Isolate (RPI) for food manufacturers in baking, dairy, and sports nutrition; a direct-to-consumer Leaft Blade protein shot (18g protein, 6mg bioavailable iron per 100ml serving) for performance athletes; and an Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC) for pet food manufacturers. The company emphasizes sustainability metrics (94% lower GHG emissions than NZ whey, 97% less blue water use, 2x more protein per hectare than dairy, 99% lower carbon than beef/lamb) as a core positioning point alongside nutritional and functional benefits.
Leaft operates a 30,000 sq ft commercial-scale manufacturing facility in Canterbury producing approximately one tonne of Rubisco products per week, and employs roughly 45 team members across R&D, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and operations. The business model blends B2B ingredient sales to food and pet food manufacturers (Foodstuffs South Island for bakery egg-replacement, Meateor for U.S. pet food, Lacto Japan for Japanese dairy/baking/sports nutrition) with direct-to-consumer e-commerce for the Leaft Blade brand, including a subscription model offering 30% savings. The company is privately held, was co-founded by Maury Leyland, John Penno (PhD), and Ross Milne (CEO) beginning in 2016, raised a $15.1M Series A led by Khosla Ventures in 2022, and received strategic equity investment from Lacto Japan in 2026. It is supported by NZ government innovation bodies Callaghan Innovation and the NZ Food Innovation Network, and was named Best Ingredient Innovation at the 2026 World Food Innovation Awards.
The company targets three customer segments: food manufacturers seeking egg and whey alternatives amid supply volatility (whey prices up 108% over two years, egg prices elevated by avian flu); premium pet food manufacturers looking to reduce embedded carbon while maintaining protein quality; and performance-focused athletes who consume Leaft Blade via subscription e-commerce. Geographic footprint spans New Zealand (headquarters, retail via Foodstuffs), the United States (Leaft Blade consumer launch and Meateor pet food distribution), and Japan (Lacto Japan partnership), with European expansion planned for 2026 in pet nutrition. The company sits at a pre-revenue-to-early-commercial stage with 2026 explicitly designated as a major expansion year.
Leaft Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Leaft Foods
- Legal name
- Leaft Foods
- Website
- https://leaftfoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Leaft Foods is a New Zealand food technology company that commercially extracts Rubisco protein from alfalfa leaves, selling B2B ingredients (Rubisco Protein Isolate for baking/dairy and Alfalfa Protein Concentrate for pet food) plus a direct-to-consumer performance protein shot (Leaft Blade) to food manufacturers, pet food companies, and athletes in NZ, the US, and Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Leaft Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Alternative Protein Ingredients
- NAICS
- Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant Protein Ingredients Manufacturing (Isolates, Concentrates, Flours) (AFAKAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Plant Protein Ingredients (Soy, Pea, Wheat/Gluten, Rice, Oat, Potato) (AFAJAHAA), Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Powders & Concentrates (Powdered Milks, Creamers, Bases) (AFAHAJAH), Leafy Greens Farming (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Arugula, Chard) (AFAGADAA)
Keywords
Where Leaft Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Leaft Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Rubisco Protein Isolate (B2B Ingredients): Selling functional protein ingredients to food manufacturers for use in dairy, baking, and sports nutrition applications. Revenue from ingredient supply contracts with food companies.
- Leaft Blade Consumer Products: Direct-to-consumer sales of Leaft Blade protein shots via e-commerce. Subscription model offering 30% savings for recurring customers. Targets performance athletes and health-conscious consumers.
- Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (Pet Nutrition): B2B sales of Alfalfa Protein Concentrate as an ingredient for pet food manufacturers. Distribution partnership with Meateor Pet Food Ingredients covering U.S. market with European expansion planned for 2026.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Leaft Blade subscription - Subscribe & Save 30% |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Leaft Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Leaft Foods extracts Rubisco protein from green leafy crops (primarily alfalfa) using a proprietary commercial-scale technology platform, producing functional protein ingredients for food manufacturers (Rubisco Protein Isolate), pet nutrition products (Alfalfa Protein Concentrate), and consumer performance nutrition shots (Leaft Blade).
Product overview
Leaft Foods is a New Zealand-based food technology company that has developed the world's first commercially scalable process to extract Rubisco protein from green leaves. The company operates a multi-product portfolio consisting of: (1) Leaft Blade, a consumer-facing performance nutrition shot containing 18g rubisco protein per serving; (2) Rubisco Protein Isolate (RPI), a B2B food ingredient for baking and dairy applications that replaces egg and outperforms animal proteins; and (3) Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC), a sustainable pet nutrition ingredient. All products are powered by the company's proprietary Leaft Technology Platform that extracts rubisco from alfalfa grown in Canterbury, New Zealand, delivering 99% lower carbon emissions than conventional protein sources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Leaft Blade: Consumer protein shot product delivering 18g of Rubisco protein per serving, marketed as daily performance fuel for athletes.
- Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC)
Products and services
- Rubisco Protein Isolate (RPI) A B2B food ingredient extracted from green leaves that provides exceptional functionality (superior emulsion stability, high foaming capacity, impressive gelling), clean taste, best-in-class nutrition with a complete amino acid profile, and bioavailable iron with the lowest embedded carbon footprint of any known protein. Replaces whole egg in baking, enhances dairy applications (yogurt, plant-based milks, ice cream), and outperforms animal proteins in many formulations. Sold to food manufacturers for dairy, baking, and sports nutrition applications.
- Leaft Blade Protein Shots A direct-to-consumer performance nutrition product delivering 18g of Rubisco protein and 6mg of bioavailable iron per 100ml shot, made from over 50,000 leaves per serve. Designed for rapid digestion during athletic performance, supporting gut health, immunity, circulation, hormonal balance, and skin and hair health. Sold via leaftblade.com with a subscription model offering 30% savings and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Targets athletes and performance-focused consumers.
- Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC) A pet food ingredient combining high-quality protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, essential vitamins (including vitamin K), antioxidants (beta-carotene and lutein), and key minerals. Available in versatile frozen block format for blending with premium meats. Provides 99% lower carbon emissions than beef and lamb. Sold to pet food manufacturers and adopted by customers including Hitowan (Japan), GoodNoze (NZ), and Fourflax (NZ).
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% lower carbon emissions than beef and lamb
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Leaft Foods
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Leaft Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Leaft Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Foodstuffs South IslandcoreDistribution deal signed with Foodstuffs South Island to use alfalfa-derived Rubisco protein as egg replacer in baked goods. Major retail partnership in New Zealand for bakery applications amid soaring egg prices due to avian flu.
- Meateor Pet Food Ingredients New ZealandcoreDistribution partnership for Alfalfa Protein Concentrate (APC) covering U.S. market with European expansion planned for 2026. Enables pet food manufacturers to access sustainable leaf protein ingredients.
- Callaghan InnovationminorSupported by Callaghan Innovation for developing the world's first leaf protein concentrate. Government agency support for R&D and innovation.
- New Zealand Food Innovation NetworkminorSupported by New Zealand Food Innovation Network for scaling production from laboratory to pilot plant to commercial-sized facility.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Leaft Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Burcon NutraScience: Burcon develops and commercializes plant-based protein ingredients (pea, canola, sunflower) with proprietary extraction technologies, selling B2B to food and beverage manufacturers. Highly comparable as a specialty protein ingredient innovator competing on functionality and sustainability vs animal proteins.
- Cosucra: Cosucra produces Pisane pea protein isolates and chicory inulin for food manufacturers seeking plant-based protein functionality. Comparable specialty plant protein ingredient producer selling B2B into bakery, dairy alternatives, and nutrition applications.
- Tereos: Tereos, a major sugar and ethanol producer, has developed plant-based protein ingredients from sugar beet co-products (e.g., Pulpey) for food and nutrition applications. Comparable as a co-product protein extractor turning agricultural raw materials into B2B functional protein ingredients.
Broad incumbents
- Roquette: Roquette is one of the world's largest plant-based ingredient manufacturers, with a leading pea protein isolate (NUTRALYS) serving food, nutrition, and dairy-alternative applications globally. Comparable as an established B2B ingredient supplier targeting the same functional protein use cases Leaft addresses with Rubisco.
- Cargill: Cargill is a global agribusiness and food ingredient giant offering plant proteins (pea, soy, specialty) under brands like Puris alongside oils, sweeteners, and texturizers. Directly comparable as a B2B ingredient supplier competing for the same food manufacturer R&D budgets and sustainability-driven procurement decisions.
- ADM: ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) is one of the largest global ingredient suppliers, with a broad plant protein portfolio and significant alternative protein investments. Comparable as a broad incumbent selling functional protein ingredients and competing on scale, sustainability, and formulation support.
- Ingredion: Ingredion supplies specialty starches, plant proteins, sweeteners, and texturizers to food and beverage manufacturers worldwide. Comparable as a broad ingredient incumbent serving similar B2B customer needs around functionality, clean label, and sustainability in baking, dairy, and nutrition categories.
- BENEO: BENEO (a Südzucker subsidiary) supplies functional ingredients including plant-based proteins, prebiotic fibers, and specialty carbohydrates to food and pet food manufacturers. Comparable as a specialty ingredient supplier with overlapping customer segments (food, beverage, pet nutrition) and a focus on functional, label-friendly inputs.
- AAK: AAK specializes in plant-based oils and fats for food, dairy alternatives, and personal care, with strong sustainability positioning. Comparable as a specialty ingredient supplier whose plant-based specialty ingredients compete for the same food manufacturer slots that Rubisco Protein Isolate targets.
Emerging players
- Australian Plant Proteins: Australian Plant Proteins extracts protein isolates from faba bean and other pulses, selling B2B to food manufacturers in Australia and Asia. Comparable as an early-stage, emerging specialty plant protein ingredient producer targeting the same functional and sustainability-driven applications as Leaft.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Leaft Foods social profiles
Digital presenceLeaft Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Leaft Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Leaft Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds11 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Leaft Foods M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Leaft Foods
What does Leaft Foods do?
Leaft Foods extracts Rubisco protein from green leafy crops (primarily alfalfa) using a proprietary commercial-scale technology platform, producing functional protein ingredients for food manufacturers (Rubisco Protein Isolate), pet nutrition products (Alfalfa Protein Concentrate), and consumer performance nutrition shots (Leaft Blade).
Is Leaft Foods a public or private company?
Leaft Foods is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Leaft Foods founded?
Leaft Foods was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Leaft Foods based?
Leaft Foods is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Leaft Foods make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Rubisco Protein Isolate (B2B Ingredients) is the primary driver. The others are leaft Blade Consumer Products and alfalfa Protein Concentrate (Pet Nutrition).
Who are Leaft Foods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Burcon NutraScience, Cosucra and Tereos. Broad incumbents are Roquette, Cargill, ADM, Ingredion, BENEO and AAK. Australian Plant Proteins is listed as an emerging player.
Does Leaft Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Leaft Foods.
What industry is Leaft Foods in?
Leaft Foods's product category is Alternative Protein Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAGAF, Plant Protein Ingredients Manufacturing (Isolates, Concentrates, Flours), with a secondary code of AFAJAHAA, Plant Protein Ingredients (Soy, Pea, Wheat/Gluten, Rice, Oat, Potato). Its NAICS code is 3114 and its SIC code is 2000.