Nosh Biofoods
Nosh Biofoods is a Berlin-based B2B food technology company producing Koji Protein via biomass fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae. It supplies a clean-label, single-ingredient mycelium protein to European food manufacturers and foodservice operators for meat analogues and hybrid beef products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Nosh Biofoods does
Nosh Biofoods GmbH is a Berlin-based B2B food technology company founded in 2022 by Tim Fronzek and Felipe Lino. It produces Koji Protein, a single-ingredient, non-GMO protein and fiber ingredient made through biomass fermentation of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. The proprietary liquid-state fermentation process is deployable in retrofitted brewery infrastructure — claimed to reduce capital expenditure by more than 80% versus greenfield facilities — completes in under 24 hours, and consumes agricultural side streams such as pea starch and beet molasses. The process naturally yields a fibrous mycelium structure that mimics muscle tissue without extrusion or texturizing additives, enabling clean-label meat analogues.
The company operates a three-product platform: Koji Protein (the foundational ingredient available in frozen, paste, and powder formats), Koji Chunks (a single-ingredient meat analogue launched with Gutfried/Tönnies and Zur Mühlen Group in German retail in September 2024), and Koji-Beef Mince (a hybrid 20–40% Koji blend with beef launched in foodservice via Speisemanufaktur Adlershof in September 2025). R&D is based at the Berlin-Adlershof science and technology park, and a commercial factory near Dresden — opened May 2024 — delivers approximately 1,000 tonnes of annual mycelium protein capacity using a former brewery's 500,000-liter fermentation footprint.
Nosh sells primarily through B2B ingredient supply to food manufacturers and foodservice operators across DACH and Europe, supported by direct field sales, co-development partnerships, and channel partners such as Zur Mühlen Group (Tönnies) for retail distribution. Pricing is volume-based under multi-year contracts and not publicly disclosed; the company positions Koji Protein as a cost-efficient beef substitute with verified 90%+ lower GHG emissions, 98%+ lower water use, and 99%+ lower land use per kg of protein versus conventional beef. Revenue is not disclosed; the company has raised €3.2M in seed funding (April 2023, led by Earlybird) and a subsequent undisclosed round (September 2024) with strategic investor Zur Mühlen Group alongside ApolloCapital, CHECK24 Impact, Earlybird, Grey Silo Ventures, and others.
Nosh Biofoods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nosh Biofoods
- Legal name
- Nosh.bio GmbH
- Website
- https://nosh.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Nosh Biofoods is a Berlin-based B2B food technology company producing Koji Protein via biomass fermentation of Aspergillus oryzae. It supplies a clean-label, single-ingredient mycelium protein to European food manufacturers and foodservice operators for meat analogues and hybrid beef products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nosh Biofoods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Alternative Protein Ingredients
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311), Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing (311991)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fermentation-Derived Proteins (Precision Fermentation, Biomass Fermentation) (AFAJAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mycoprotein & Fungal Proteins (Fusarium/Mycelium-Based) (AFAJAHAE), Fermentation-Derived Alternative Proteins Manufacturing (Precision Fermentation) (AFAKAGAH)
Keywords
Where Nosh Biofoods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Nosh Biofoods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Koji Protein Ingredient Sales: B2B sales of Koji Protein as an ingredient to food manufacturers for use in meat analogues, hybrid products, dairy, bakery, confectionery, sauces, and pet food applications. Revenue is generated through ingredient sales with volume-based pricing for commercial partners.
- Hybrid Product Co-Development: Revenue from co-development partnerships with food manufacturers to create hybrid meat products incorporating Koji Protein, including technical support and formulation services for commercial product launches.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B ingredient sales with customized pricing based on volume and partnership terms |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Nosh Biofoods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nosh Biofoods produces Koji Protein, a sustainable food ingredient manufactured through proprietary biomass fermentation of the fungus Aspergillus oryzae, and sells it B2B to food manufacturers and foodservice operators for use in meat analogues, hybrid meat products, dairy, bakery, confectionery, sauces, and pet food. Its commercial offerings include the Koji Protein ingredient itself, Koji Chunks (a single-ingredient meat analogue launched with Zur Muhlen Group), and Koji-Beef Mince (a hybrid product combining 20-40% Koji Protein with beef for foodservice).
Product overview
Nosh Biofoods is a B2B food technology company offering Koji Protein as a platform ingredient solution. The core product portfolio consists of Koji Protein (the foundational fermented fungi ingredient), Koji-Beef Mince (a hybrid product blending 20-40% Koji Protein with beef for foodservice and manufacturers), and Koji Chunks (single-ingredient meat analog). The company sells to food manufacturers across verticals including meat analogues, bakery, seafood analogues, dairy, confectionery, sauces, beverages, pet food, and health & wellness. All products are non-GMO, clean-label, and produced through proprietary biomass fermentation using the fungus Aspergillus oryzae.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Koji Protein A non-GMO, sustainable food ingredient produced through proprietary biomass fermentation of the fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Rich in protein and fiber with natural umami flavor and a fibrous structure resembling muscle tissue, suitable for meat analogues, dairy, bakery, confectionery, sauces, and pet food applications. Available in frozen, paste, and powder formats for food manufacturers.
- Koji Chunks Single-ingredient meat analogue made from fermented koji fungus mycelium grown in bioreactors, developed in partnership with Gutfried (Tonnies). Contains only one ingredient with no additives, stabilizers, or flavor enhancers, and is positioned for both vegans and committed meat consumers.
- Koji-Beef Mince Hybrid minced meat product combining 20-40% Koji Protein with beef, offering better margins, meat-like taste and texture, improved nutrition, and approximately 90% lower environmental impact compared with 100% beef. Available in frozen format for foodservice operators and food manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90.7% lower GHG emissions, 98.7% lower water consumption, 99.4% lower land use compared to beef production
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Nosh Biofoods
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Nosh Biofoods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Nosh Biofoods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- Premium Food Group ApS & Co. KGminorDanish food company launched hybrid minced meat product combining 80% beef with 20% Koji protein for European foodservice market, demonstrating commercial adoption of hybrid meat solutions.
- Speisemanufaktur AdlershofcoreFoodservice partner operating canteen at Berlin-Adlershof science park (Germany's largest). One-week collaboration launching Koji-Beef Mince in burgers, meatballs, and lasagna with press tasting on September 17, 2025. Demonstrates ingredient adaptability for large-scale food production.
- Gutfried (Tönnies Group)coreDevelopment partnership with German meat brand owned by Tönnies to create Koji-based meat alternative products. Tönnies is also an investor in Nosh.bio. Product 'Koji Chunks' developed for supermarket and discount retailer shelves.
- Zur Mühlen Group (ZMG)flagshipSubsidiary of German meat giant Tönnies Group. First commercial partner for Koji Protein integration, joint launch of Koji Chunks product, and investor in Nosh.bio's funding round. ZMG joined Nosh.bio's latest fundraising alongside ApolloCapital, Earlybird Ventures, and Grey Silo Ventures.
- ClimatePointminorConducted external life cycle assessment (LCA) of Nosh Protein comparing environmental impact to conventional beef production, verifying CO2 emissions, water use, and land use data.
- BarillaminorSelected as winning startup in Barilla's Good Food Makers 2023 food innovators program, providing mentorship and industry exposure.
- Fungi Protein AssociationminorIndustry association membership supporting the fungi protein sector and promoting alternative protein adoption.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Nosh Biofoods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Quorn: Global leader in mycoprotein (Fusarium venenatum) for meat alternatives, sold across retail and foodservice. Closest direct comparable to Nosh — both produce fungal protein ingredients via fermentation targeting meat-analogue and hybrid-meat applications.
- The Better Meat Co. US-based fungal-protein company producing mycelium ingredients (Rhizopus) for hybrid meat blends and clean-label applications. Highly comparable on B2B ingredient model, fungal fermentation, and hybrid-meat GTM.
- MycoTechnology: Fermentation platform using mycelium (including Aspergillus oryzae — same organism as Nosh) to produce food ingredients for clean-label, taste-modulation, and protein applications. Direct competitor in fermentation-derived fungal ingredients.
- Enough (formerly 3F BIO): Scotland-based mycoprotein producer using biomass fermentation of fungi to create 'Abunda' mycoprotein ingredient for meat alternatives. Comparable on fungal-biomass fermentation, B2B ingredient model, and European/UK market presence.
- The Protein Brewery: Dutch fermentation company producing fungal protein (FungtProof) using a proprietary brewing-like process for meat and dairy alternatives. Direct peer on fungal biomass fermentation, EU base, and B2B ingredient commercialisation.
Emerging players
- Solar Foods: Finnish company producing Solein via gas fermentation (electrolysis-derived hydrogen and CO2). Comparable as a fermentation-derived alternative protein play with EU regulatory approval, though feedstock and technology differ from biomass fermentation.
- Air Protein: US-based producer of single-cell protein using gas fermentation and hydrogen-oxidising bacteria. Comparable as a fermentation-derived protein ingredient company targeting meat-analogue applications with sustainability narrative.
Broad incumbents
- Beyond Meat: Category-defining plant-based meat brand with global retail and foodservice presence. Broader incumbent in the alternative meat space; relevant for category dynamics and competitive context even though Nosh is fermentation-based and B2B rather than consumer-plant-based.
- Impossible Foods: Major plant-based meat brand using soy/heme technology with extensive retail and foodservice penetration in the US. Adjacent incumbent for alternative-meat category dynamics, though differs on technology platform (plant protein vs. fermentation) and consumer-brand model.
Others
- Benson Hill: US food-tech ingredient company using proprietary genomics and processing to produce plant-based protein ingredients (soy, pea). Adjacent comparison as a vertically integrated food-ingredient platform pursuing clean-label and functional-protein applications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nosh Biofoods social profiles
Digital presenceNosh Biofoods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nosh Biofoods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Nosh Biofoods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nosh Biofoods 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 Nosh Biofoods
What does Nosh Biofoods do?
Nosh Biofoods produces Koji Protein, a sustainable food ingredient manufactured through proprietary biomass fermentation of the fungus Aspergillus oryzae, and sells it B2B to food manufacturers and foodservice operators for use in meat analogues, hybrid meat products, dairy, bakery, confectionery, sauces, and pet food. Its commercial offerings include the Koji Protein ingredient itself, Koji Chunks (a single-ingredient meat analogue launched with Zur Muhlen Group), and Koji-Beef Mince (a hybrid product combining 20-40% Koji Protein with beef for foodservice).
Is Nosh Biofoods a public or private company?
Nosh Biofoods is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Nosh Biofoods founded?
Nosh Biofoods was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Nosh Biofoods based?
Nosh Biofoods is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Nosh Biofoods make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Koji Protein Ingredient Sales are the primary driver. The others are hybrid Product Co-Development.
Who are Nosh Biofoods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Quorn, The Better Meat Co., MycoTechnology, Enough (formerly 3F BIO) and The Protein Brewery. Emerging players are Solar Foods and Air Protein. Broad incumbents are Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. Benson Hill is listed as an others.
Does Nosh Biofoods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nosh Biofoods.
What industry is Nosh Biofoods in?
Nosh Biofoods's product category is Alternative Protein Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAHAH, Fermentation-Derived Proteins (Precision Fermentation, Biomass Fermentation), with a secondary code of AFAJAHAE, Mycoprotein & Fungal Proteins (Fusarium/Mycelium-Based). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2000.