Planet A Foods
Planet A Foods is a Munich-based B2B ingredient company that makes cocoa-free chocolate alternatives (ChoViva) via proprietary precision fermentation of sunflower seeds, supplying food manufacturers and CPG brands such as Lindt, Nestlé, and REWE Group across confectionery, bakery, retail, and foodservice.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersMunich, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Planet A Foods does
Planet A Foods is a Munich-based B2B sustainable food ingredient company, founded in 2021, that produces cocoa-free chocolate alternatives under the ChoViva brand. Its core technology is a proprietary precision fermentation platform that converts sunflower seeds — sourced through a short East-European supply chain — into chocolate-like ingredients, removing dependence on cocoa and insulating customers from cocoa price volatility. The product line spans ChoViva Milk, Vegan, Semi-Sweet Dark, White, and a No Added Sugar variant (launched June 2026), with ChoViva Butter in development; the platform serves confectionery, bakery, retail, and travel/foodservice end-markets.
The company operates an IFS-certified production facility in Pilsen, Czech Republic, scaling capacity from 2,000 toward 15,000 tons, and sells ingredients on a B2B basis with minimum order quantities (e.g., 12 tons) and multi-year supply contracts. Customers include Lindt, Nestlé (Germany), REWE Group banners (REWE, Lidl, Kaufland), Aeon in Japan, plus foodservice accounts such as Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn and bakery partners Baker & Baker and BÄKO; ChoViva appears in 120+ finished products across 10 countries and 100,000+ stores.
Go-to-market combines direct B2B sales with a long-term commercial partnership with Barry Callebaut (Nov 2025) for global distribution. The company has raised $45.4M in total across a $15.4M Series A (Feb 2024, led by World Fund) and a $30M Series B (Dec 2024, co-led by Burda Principal Investments and Zintinus), and employs approximately 71-75 people as of early 2025, with headcount growth of ~81% supporting ongoing capacity, geographic, and product-line expansion.
Planet A Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Planet A Foods
- Legal name
- Planet A Foods GmbH
- Website
- https://planet-a-foods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Planet A Foods is a Munich-based B2B ingredient company that makes cocoa-free chocolate alternatives (ChoViva) via proprietary precision fermentation of sunflower seeds, supplying food manufacturers and CPG brands such as Lindt, Nestlé, and REWE Group across confectionery, bakery, retail, and foodservice.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Planet A Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cocoa-free chocolate ingredients
- NAICS
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)
- SIC
- Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Ingredients & Bases Manufacturing (Emulsions, Fat Systems, Protein/Starch Bases for B2B) (AFAHAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dairy Alternatives (Plant-Based Milk, Yogurt, Creamers) (CRADACAF)
Keywords
Where Planet A Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Munich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Planet A Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- B2B Ingredient Sales: Planet A Foods sells ChoViva as a B2B ingredient to food manufacturers. Products are sold in bulk (minimum order quantities of 12 tons for some variants like ChoViva Smooth Milk in chips or liquid/tank form). Revenue derived from ingredient sales to confectionery, bakery, snacks, cereals, and ice cream manufacturers.
- Licensing/Royalty: Partner products bearing the ChoViva logo on packaging generate revenue through ingredient supply agreements. ChoViva is described as a registered trademark, suggesting licensing model where partners pay for ingredient usage with brand credentials.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | ChoViva Smooth Milk - standard cocoa-free milk chocolate alternative |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | ChoViva Vegan - plant-based sustainability option |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | ChoViva Semi Sweet Dark |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | ChoViva White |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | ChoViva No Added Sugar - sugar-reduced formulation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Planet A Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Planet A Foods manufactures and sells ChoViva, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from sunflower seeds through a proprietary precision fermentation process that replicates traditional chocolate's flavor, snap, texture, and melt. The product is supplied as a B2B ingredient in multiple variants (Smooth Milk, Vegan, Semi Sweet Dark, White, No Added Sugar) for use by confectionery, bakery, snacks, cereal, ice cream, and seasonal product manufacturers across Europe and Asia. A complementary cocoa-butter alternative, ChoViva Butter, is produced through yeast-based fermentation and is currently in development.
Product overview
Planet A Foods is a B2B food ingredient company offering a portfolio of cocoa-free chocolate and butter alternatives built on a proprietary fermentation platform. The core product is ChoViva, a sunflower-seed-based chocolate alternative available in multiple variants (Smooth Milk, Vegan, Semi Sweet Dark, White, and No Added Sugar). Complementing ChoViva is ChoViva Butter, a yeast-fermented cocoa butter alternative currently in development. Both products leverage the company's scalable fermentation platform technology to create sustainable, cost-efficient ingredients that reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional cocoa-based products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ChoViva: The world's leading cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from sunflower seeds, available in multiple variants including Smooth Milk, Vegan, Semi Sweet Dark, White, and No Added Sugar.
- ChoViva Butter
Products and services
- ChoViva Chocolate Alternative Cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from sunflower seeds via proprietary fermentation that replicates chocolate's flavor, snap, texture, and melt; produced at scale with more than 10,000 tons annually and supplied to food manufacturers for coatings, fillings, bars, biscuits, and seasonal products.
- ChoViva Smooth Milk Standard cocoa-free milk chocolate alternative variant with a creamy mouthfeel; available in chips and liquid (tank) formats with a minimum order quantity of 12 tons and a carbon footprint of 2.8 kg CO2e/kg.
- ChoViva Vegan Plant-based sustainability-focused variant using sunflower flour; vegan recipe available in chips format with a carbon footprint of 1.6 kg CO2e/kg, suitable for vegan, kosher, and halal products.
- ChoViva Semi Sweet Dark 100% smooth dark chocolate alternative variant with earthy notes; available for B2B applications with a carbon footprint of 1.7 kg CO2e/kg.
- ChoViva White White chocolate alternative variant with a creamy aftertaste and nuances of vanilla; supplied to manufacturers with a carbon footprint of 2.9 kg CO2e/kg.
- ChoViva No Added Sugar Cocoa-free chocolate alternative formulated with Maltitol and no added sugar; designed for confectionery and bakery B2B applications targeting health-conscious consumers and sugar-reduced product trends.
- ChoViva Butter (Cocoa Butter Alternative) Yeast-derived food fat produced through precision fermentation, compositionally identical to conventional cocoa butter with customizable fat compositions for confectionery applications; currently in development with benefits including higher line efficiency, robust supply chain, consistent properties, and low price volatility.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% less carbon emissions: ChoViva milk recipe 2.8 kg CO₂e/kg vs standard milk chocolate 10.6 kg CO₂e/kg
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Planet A Foods
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Planet A Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Planet A Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Nestlé GermanyflagshipStrategic partnership to launch NESTLÉ CHOCO CROSSIES Snack Vibes in April 2026, featuring ChoViva as the cocoa-free chocolate coating. Targets Gen Z consumers seeking modern snacking experiences. Three varieties (Classic, Hazelnut, Salted Popcorn Caramel) in 100g snack bags. Marks significant endorsement from major CPG player for cocoa-free chocolate technology.
- Barry CallebautflagshipLong-term commercial partnership announced November 2025 to bring ChoViva to global markets. Barry Callebaut, the world's largest chocolate manufacturer with annual sales of CHF 14.8 billion, will leverage its global footprint, R&D capabilities, and distribution network to scale cocoa-free chocolate alternatives. ChoViva complements Barry Callebaut's traditional cocoa business as a diversified portfolio offering. Partnership enables global expansion while Barry Callebaut maintains focus on traditional cocoa products.
- AeoncoreJapanese retail giant Aeon brings ChoViva to Asia for the first time, launching in September 2025. Three varieties (Cereal Puffs, Plain, Hazelnut) under Aeon's Topvalu private label brand. First market entry outside Europe. Strategic milestone for international expansion into Asian markets.
- BAKER & BAKERcoreLeading European bakery products provider partnered to launch Franzbrötchen with ChoViva and donuts (White and Dark variants) with ChoViva coating. Vegan formulations demonstrating versatility of cocoa-free chocolate in bakery applications.
- BÄKOcoreGermany's leading bakery wholesale cooperative providing exclusive distribution of ChoViva bakery products to artisan bakers and the baking trade. Makes innovative ingredients accessible to traditional bakery sector.
- Treets (Piasten)coreConfectionery company launched vegan peanuts with ChoViva coating in September 2024. Crunchy peanuts with vegan ChoViva coating and crispy sugar shell, exclusively colored with vegan pastel shades.
- Deutsche BahnminorGerman railway company featured ChoViva products in 'Lieblingsgast' edition (favorite guest) onboard offering. Extends reach to travelers and commuters.
- LindtflagshipPremium Swiss chocolate manufacturer. Limited edition product with ChoViva sold out within hours in January 2024, validating market demand for cocoa-free alternatives from premium brands.
- Griesson-de BeukelaercoreMajor German confectionery company and one of the first partners for ChoViva market launch. Collaboration continued through multiple product innovations.
- Peter KöllncoreGerman confectionery company and founding partner for ChoViva. Award-winning product collaboration including bestseller recognition.
- LufthansaminorGerman airline partner providing inflight chocolate offerings with ChoViva.
- REWE GroupcoreMajor German retail group with 9 private label products launched in February 2024. Includes REWE and PENNY store brands featuring ChoViva ingredients.
- LidlcoreGerman discount retailer. Private label innovation partner including Favorina Easter bunny with ChoViva. Pioneer in protein diversification through hybrid products.
- KauflandcoreGerman hypermarket chain. Private label product partner for ChoViva-based confectionery.
- RiegeleincoreGerman confectionery company. Brand partner for chocolate products with ChoViva, including Easter offerings.
- LambertzcoreGerman confectionery and baked goods manufacturer. Brand partner for seasonal products with ChoViva.
- AbteyminorFrench chocolate company. Eight new products launched in March 2025 for French market distribution through Auchan, Carrefour, Intermarché, and other retailers.
- WAWI (Schokoladen-AG)minorGerman confectionery company producing UK Easter products with ChoViva for British market.
- Biscuit InternationalminorEuropean biscuit manufacturer. Strategic partner for ChoViva applications in biscuits and baked goods.
- Dan CakeminorEuropean bakery and cake manufacturer. Partner for baked goods applications.
- Ludwig SchokolademinorGerman chocolate manufacturer. Brand partner for ChoViva products.
- Stella BernrainminorSwiss chocolate company. Brand partner listed on company website.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Planet A Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Perfect Day: Perfect Day is a precision-fermentation company producing animal-free dairy proteins. It is comparable as a fermentation-platform competitor seeking B2B food-ingredient applications, though its product category (dairy proteins) differs from Planet A's chocolate-alternative focus.
Broad incumbents
- Barry Callebaut: The world's largest chocolate manufacturer (CHF 14.8B annual sales) and Planet A's flagship global distribution partner. Operates broadly across cocoa products, food manufacturers, and ingredient supply, with chocolate alternatives as a complement to its traditional cocoa portfolio.
- The Hershey Company: Major US chocolate manufacturer with growing interest in alternative-cocoa sourcing. Represents a potential large customer comparable to Nestlé and Lindt, alongside broader competitive overlap in confectionery.
- ofi (Olam Food Ingredients): ofi is a leading global cocoa processor and supplier of sustainable cocoa ingredients. It overlaps with Planet A as a B2B ingredient supplier to confectionery manufacturers pursuing supply-chain resilience.
- Nestlé: One of the largest CPG companies globally and a recent Planet A partner via CHOCO CROSSIES Snack Vibes. Operates a massive traditional chocolate/confectionery portfolio and represents both a customer and a long-term competitive incumbent in cocoa-alternative adoption.
- Mondelēz International: Global snacks and chocolate powerhouse (Cadbury, Toblerone) pursuing cocoa sustainability initiatives such as Cocoa Life. It is a comparable B2B chocolate buyer and a potential anchor customer/competitor in cocoa-alternative ingredients.
- Cargill: Cargill is one of the largest cocoa processors and food ingredient suppliers globally, with a portfolio that includes cocoa alternatives and sustainable ingredient programs that overlap with Planet A Foods' market.
Direct peers
- Celleste Bio: Celleste Bio develops cell-cultured cocoa ingredients aimed at replicating real chocolate flavor without conventional farming. It is an emerging competitor targeting the same cocoa-alternative opportunity as Planet A Foods.
- California Cultured: California Cultured produces cocoa via plant cell culture, offering another cocoa-free alternative path targeted at chocolate manufacturers. It competes for the same B2B supply contracts and addresses the same cocoa supply-chain vulnerabilities.
- Voyage Foods: Voyage Foods is the closest direct competitor in cocoa-free chocolate alternatives, using plant-based inputs (e.g., grape seeds, sunflower) to produce chocolate-like ingredients for B2B food manufacturers. It targets the same supply-chain-resilience and sustainability pain points as Planet A Foods.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Planet A Foods social profiles
Digital presencePlanet A Foods compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Planet A Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Planet A Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Planet A Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Planet A 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 Planet A Foods
What does Planet A Foods do?
Planet A Foods manufactures and sells ChoViva, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from sunflower seeds through a proprietary precision fermentation process that replicates traditional chocolate's flavor, snap, texture, and melt. The product is supplied as a B2B ingredient in multiple variants (Smooth Milk, Vegan, Semi Sweet Dark, White, No Added Sugar) for use by confectionery, bakery, snacks, cereal, ice cream, and seasonal product manufacturers across Europe and Asia. A complementary cocoa-butter alternative, ChoViva Butter, is produced through yeast-based fermentation and is currently in development.
Is Planet A Foods a public or private company?
Planet A Foods is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Planet A Foods founded?
Planet A Foods was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Planet A Foods based?
Planet A Foods is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Planet A Foods make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. B2B Ingredient Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing/Royalty.
Who are Planet A Foods's main competitors?
Perfect Day is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Barry Callebaut, The Hershey Company, ofi (Olam Food Ingredients), Nestlé, Mondelēz International and Cargill. Direct peers are Celleste Bio, California Cultured and Voyage Foods.
Does Planet A Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Planet A Foods.
What industry is Planet A Foods in?
Planet A Foods's product category is Cocoa-free chocolate ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAHAJAI, Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Ingredients & Bases Manufacturing (Emulsions, Fat Systems, Protein/Starch Bases for B2B), with a secondary code of CRADACAF, Dairy Alternatives (Plant-Based Milk, Yogurt, Creamers). Its NAICS code is 3113 and its SIC code is 2060.