What Nukoko does

Nukoko is a UK-based food technology company that produces cocoa-free chocolate alternatives from European-grown fava beans using a proprietary fermentation and processing platform. Founded in 2023 by Kit Tomlinson, Ross Newton, and Professor David Salt, the company developed a patent-pending process that combines biotechnology and traditional cocoa processing techniques — fermentation, roasting, winnowing, and grinding — to recreate the sensory profile (flavour, texture, mouthfeel, snap, aroma) of conventional chocolate. The product portfolio comprises four ingredients: Nukoko Dark, Nukoko Milk, Nukoko Vegan, and Nukoko Powder, all engineered as 1:1 drop-in replacements for traditional chocolate across confectionery, bakery, ice cream, beverages, fillings, and moulded applications, validated through industry-standard triangle tests, descriptive analysis, and consumer acceptance studies.

The company operates exclusively as a B2B ingredients supplier, targeting food manufacturers including confectioners, bakers, ice cream producers, and beverage companies. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, event-driven demand generation (notably at ISM & ProSweets 2025), content marketing, and earned media coverage aimed at procurement managers, R&D directors, and technical decision-makers. Following its acquisition by Döhler in June 2026, Nukoko now operates as a subsidiary within Döhler's global ingredients group, gaining access to over 50 production sites and distribution reach across more than 160 countries, plus Döhler's application centres for technical support and sensory validation.

The business model centres on ingredient sales to food manufacturers addressing the structural cocoa supply crisis — cocoa prices surged over 200% in 2024 to an all-time high of $12,931 per metric tonne, with a 478,000-tonne supply deficit in 2023-2024 wiping out approximately 10% of global supply. Nukoko positions its platform on sustainability credentials (up to 90% lower carbon emissions versus traditional chocolate, regenerative fava bean agriculture, European sourcing) and functional equivalence claims validated by a three-year sensory testing programme. Pricing is negotiated directly with manufacturing partners; sample availability across confectionery, bakery, cereals, and ice cream applications is planned from August 2026. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Nukoko

Legal name

Nukoko Limited

Website

https://nukoko.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nukoko produces cocoa-free chocolate alternatives from European-grown fava beans for B2B food manufacturers. Founded in 2023 and acquired by Döhler in June 2026, the company offers a 1:1 drop-in ingredient platform spanning confectionery, bakery, ice cream, and beverage applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Chocolate Ingredients

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Ingredients & Bases Manufacturing (Emulsions, Fat Systems, Protein/Starch Bases for B2B) (AFAHAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant-Based Milk & Creamer Processing (Oat, Soy, Almond, Coconut, Blends) (AFAHAJAA), Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Powders & Concentrates (Powdered Milks, Creamers, Bases) (AFAHAJAH)

Keywords

• Cocoa-free chocolate
• Alternative chocolate ingredients
• Fava bean chocolate
• Plant-based confectionery
• Sustainable food ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Guildford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. B2B ingredient sales to food manufacturers: Nukoko generates revenue by selling cocoa-free chocolate ingredients (fava bean-based dark, milk, vegan, and powder formats) directly to food manufacturers for use in their confectionery, bakery, ice cream, and other chocolate-based product lines. Sample availability planned from August 2026 across multiple applications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nukoko manufactures and supplies cocoa-free chocolate alternative ingredients (Nukoko Dark, Nukoko Milk, Nukoko Vegan, Nukoko Powder) made from European-grown fava beans, designed as 1:1 functional drop-in replacements for traditional cocoa chocolate in confectionery, bakery, ice cream, beverage, and filling applications. The company sells these B2B ingredients to food manufacturers, with availability of samples across applications from August 2026 via direct sales and Döhler's global distribution network.

Product overview

Nukoko offers a portfolio of cocoa-free chocolate alternatives made from European-grown fava beans using a proprietary fermentation and processing technology. The product line includes four offerings: Nukoko Dark (rich and complex), Nukoko Milk (smooth and creamy), Nukoko Vegan (dairy-free alternative), and Nukoko Powder (cocoa reducer/replacer). All products are designed as 1:1 drop-in replacements for traditional chocolate across confectionery, bakery, ice cream, coatings, fillings, and beverage applications. The company was acquired by Döhler in 2026 to enable industrial-scale production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nukoko Dark
• Nukoko Milk Smooth and creamy milk chocolate alternative made from fava beans, designed as a 1:1 replacement for traditional milk chocolate across confectionery, bakery, ice cream, and beverage applications without requiring equipment or process changes.
• Nukoko Vegan
• Nukoko Powder Cocoa reducer or replacer powder made from fava beans, serving as a direct 1:1 cocoa alternative for confectionery, bakery, cereals, ice cream, and beverage applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional chocolate
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DöhlercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 18 June 2026Döhler, a German global ingredients group, acquired Nukoko in June 2026 for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition builds on a prior fermentation support partnership established in 2024. Döhler's global ingredients portfolio, 50+ production sites, 75 offices, and customer relationships spanning 160+ countries will be used to scale Nukoko's cocoa-free chocolate technology globally. Sample availability for confectionery, bakery, cereals, and ice cream applications is planned from August 2026. The acquisition signals Nukoko's transition from a UK startup to a globally scaled ingredient business.
• DöhlercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2024Döhler and Nukoko announced a strategic partnership in October 2024 to scale up production of Nukoko's cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from fava beans. The collaboration aimed to enable full industrial-scale fermentation processes by 2025, addressing challenges in the global cocoa supply chain. Döhler committed to industrializing Nukoko's fermentation technology, reducing emissions, and offering a healthier alternative with less sugar and more nutrients.
• EIT Food Accelerator NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2024Nukoko was selected into the EIT Food Accelerator Network 2024 cohort, gaining access to European food technology acceleration resources, mentorship, and industry connections to support development and scaling of its cocoa-free chocolate technology.
• DöhlercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDöhler's partnership enables Nukoko to offer manufacturing partners unprecedented scale and reliability. The collaboration combines Nukoko's biotechnology platform with Döhler's flavour expertise and global customer partnerships to transform Nukoko from pilot-scale production into industrial-level manufacturing. The partnership was a precursor to Döhler's acquisition of Nukoko in 2026.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Nestlé: World's largest food company with major chocolate brands (KitKat, etc.) and a customer of Nukoko. Listed as a manufacturing partner and represents the type of strategic CPG enterprise customer Nukoko is built to serve.
• Givaudan: Global flavours and fragrances leader supplying food and beverage manufacturers. Comparable as a flavour and ingredient systems supplier with the established manufacturer relationships and application expertise to enter or compete in the cocoa-free chocolate space.
• Döhler: German global ingredients and flavour group that acquired Nukoko in June 2026. Parent company and primary commercialization channel; operates 50+ production sites and serves manufacturers across 160+ countries, making Döhler both the owner and the most important commercialization partner for Nukoko.
• Mars: Global chocolate and confectionery major (Mars, Snickers, Galaxy, M&M's, Dove). Comparable as both a potential large-volume customer and a potential competitor developing its own alt-chocolate R&D.
• Barry Callebaut: World's largest chocolate and cocoa manufacturer serving industrial and artisanal customers globally. A broad incumbent whose customer base overlaps significantly with Nukoko's target confectionery and bakery manufacturers, and which is also pursuing alt-cocoa strategies.
• Cargill: Global food ingredients and agricultural commodities giant with a major cocoa and chocolate business. Directly comparable as a B2B ingredient supplier to food manufacturers and as a scaled player with the resources to enter the cocoa-free chocolate category.

Direct peers

• Voyage Foods: US-based company developing cocoa-free chocolate from upcycled grapeseeds and other alternative inputs. Competes directly with Nukoko in creating sustainable, supply-chain-resilient chocolate alternatives for B2B food manufacturers.
• Planet A Foods: Germany-based startup producing cocoa-free chocolate (ChoViva) from oats and sunflower seeds. Most direct competitor to Nukoko in the European cocoa-free chocolate B2B ingredients space, targeting the same confectionery and bakery manufacturers with a plant-based alternative.

Emerging players

• Kokomodo: Israel-based startup producing cell-cultivated cocoa as a sustainable alternative to traditional cocoa. Comparable as an emerging alt-cocoa player addressing the same supply crisis and targeting B2B chocolate manufacturers.
• NotCo: Chile-based plant-based food technology company using AI-driven ingredient formulation to recreate animal-derived products. Comparable as an emerging player in plant-based food tech with B2B licensing ambitions and similar sustainability positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/89647885

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nukoko