BettaF!sh
BettaF!sh (wunderfish GmbH) is a Berlin-based food technology company founded in 2020 that produces plant-based seafood analogues — TU-NAH (tuna) and SAL-NOM (salmon) — from European seaweed and plant proteins, distributed through European retail, foodservice wholesale, hospitality partnerships, and B2B ingredient licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BettaF!sh does
BettaF!sh (legal entity: wunderfish GmbH) is a Berlin-based food technology company founded in 2020 that develops and manufactures plant-based alternatives to canned tuna (TU-NAH) and smoked salmon (SAL-NOM). The core technology combines European-sourced brown algae from Irish and Norwegian waters with plant proteins derived from fava beans and peas to deliver authentic seafood flavor without methyl cellulose, GMOs, soy, wheat, or artificial flavor enhancers. Finished products are heat-resistant up to 400°C and packaged in 140g cans with a 12-month ambient shelf life, with foodservice formats extending to 1kg pouches and 8kg bag-in-box packaging. The company is led by founder Deniz Ficicioglu and operates with a headcount in the 11–50 range.
The business model spans four revenue streams: (1) one-time product sales through retail listings at REWE, Billa, Müller, Coop, and Rossmann; (2) one-time wholesale product sales to foodservice distributors including Metro, Transgourmet, Chefs Culinar, Rungis, and Selgros; (3) licensing royalties from co-branded menu activations with hospitality chains such as L'Osteria (170+ locations), Pizza Hut Deutschland, Deutsche Bahn Bord-Gastronomie, and Aramark; and (4) licensing royalties from B2B ingredient partnerships and seaweed ingredient supply to food manufacturers. Direct-to-consumer e-commerce via bettafish.de operates alongside these channels, and the company is co-funded by the EU through the EIT Food Rising Food Stars program and participates in the ALGOBOOST research project with TU Berlin, Charité, and HUT.
Commercial traction to date includes 21,000+ TU-NAH dishes sold through the L'Osteria Veganuary 2023 campaign over seven weeks, distribution into 1,300+ BILLA stores in Austria carrying seven TU-NAH SKUs, and reported cumulative impact metrics of 191 tons of tuna substituted, 194 tons of bycatch avoided, and 16 tons of seaweed utilized. The company targets three end-customers: (a) mainstream grocery shoppers seeking sustainable protein alternatives, (b) professional kitchens and contract caterers seeking plant-based seafood ingredients, and (c) food manufacturers seeking branded or ingredient supply under co-branding or licensing arrangements.
BettaF!sh firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BettaF!sh
- Legal name
- wunderfish GmbH
- Website
- https://bettafish.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BettaF!sh (wunderfish GmbH) is a Berlin-based food technology company founded in 2020 that produces plant-based seafood analogues — TU-NAH (tuna) and SAL-NOM (salmon) — from European seaweed and plant proteins, distributed through European retail, foodservice wholesale, hospitality partnerships, and B2B ingredient licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BettaF!sh industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plant-based seafood alternatives
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710)
- SIC
- Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant-Based Seafood Alternatives (Analog Fish & Shellfish) (AFANAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAD)
Keywords
Where BettaF!sh is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BettaF!sh business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Retail product sales: Direct-to-consumer and retail sales of packaged TU-NAH (tuna alternative) and SAL-NOM (smoked salmon alternative) products through grocery stores and online shop
- Foodservice wholesale: B2B sales of bulk formats (1kg pouches, 8kg bag-in-box) to wholesalers and professional kitchens including restaurants, hotels, and institutional caterers
- Co-branding and ingredient licensing: Partnership with food manufacturers to use TU-NAH as an ingredient in their products, enabling brands to modernize portfolios with plant-based options
- Seaweed ingredients B2B: Sale of seaweed as a basic ingredient to other food industry players, positioning BettaF!sh as the leading partner for European brown algae ingredients
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail consumer pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Foodservice bulk formats |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
BettaF!sh product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BettaF!sh manufactures and sells 100% plant-based fish alternatives—TU-NAH (a canned tuna substitute) and SAL-NOM (a hot smoked salmon substitute)—made from European seaweed and plant proteins derived from fava beans and peas. The company sells these products via retail cans to consumers through grocery chains and its own online shop, and in bulk 1kg pouches and 8kg bag-in-box formats to foodservice operators, wholesalers, restaurant chains, and food manufacturers for use as branded or co-branded ingredients.
Product overview
BettaF!sh is a plant-based seafood company producing fish alternatives from European seaweed and plant proteins. The company offers two core products: TU-NAH (a plant-based tuna alternative) and SAL-NOM (a plant-based smoked salmon alternative). Both products are 100% plant-based, free from soy and wheat, made with European seaweed and plant proteins from fava beans and peas. TU-NAH is available in multiple B2B and B2C formats (cans, pouches, bag-in-box) targeting retail, food service, and food industry customers. The products are designed for foodservice applications including pizza, pasta, canapes, sushi, and convenience foods, with heat resistance up to 400°C.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TU-NAH: 100% plant-based alternative to canned tuna made from European seaweed and plant proteins from fava beans and peas. Soy and wheat-free, source of protein and fibre.
- SAL-NOM
Products and services
- TU-NAH TU-NAH is a 100% plant-based alternative to canned tuna made from European seaweed and plant proteins from fava beans and peas. It is soy-free, wheat-free, and a source of protein and fibre. Available in 140g ambient cans (12-month shelf life), 1kg IQF frozen pouches, and 8kg IQF frozen bag-in-box formats. Heat-resistant up to 400°C and suitable for retail, food service, and food industry use in pizza, pasta, canapés, sushi, and convenience foods.
- SAL-NOM SAL-NOM is a 100% plant-based alternative to hot smoked salmon made from European seaweed and plant proteins from fava beans and peas. It is wheat-free, soy-free, and a source of Omega-3 fatty acids, designed to look and taste like the original smoked salmon product.
Quantifiable outcome
- 191 tons of tuna fish saved (not caught)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use BettaF!sh
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BettaF!sh technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
BettaF!sh partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- REWEcoreMajor German retail chain offering BettaF!sh products through their online shop and physical stores across Germany.
- BillacoreAustrian supermarket chain with 1,300+ stores. Successfully launched 7 innovative plant-based TU-NAH products in a 7-week partnership campaign.
- L'OsteriaflagshipMajor restaurant brand with 170+ locations across Europe. Partnership included successful Veganuary 2023 campaign with over 21,000 TU-NAH dishes sold. TU-NAH used in pizzas and ravioli.
- Deutsche Bahn Bord-GastronomiecoreRailway dining service partnership for Veganuary campaign. Proven success demonstrating sustainable indulgence achievable in transportation foodservice.
- Pizza Hut DeutschlandcoreVeganuary campaign partnership helping Pizza Hut refresh brand image and reach new generation of pizza lovers while improving sustainability performance.
- MüllerminorGerman drugstore and retail chain offering BettaF!sh products in their stores.
- CoopminorSwiss retail cooperative offering BettaF!sh products in their stores.
- RossmannminorGerman drugstore chain offering BettaF!sh products.
- MetrocoreMajor international hospitality wholesaler. TU-NAH available through METRO wholesale channels for professional kitchen customers.
- TransgourmetcoreEuropean foodservice wholesale partner for BettaF!sh TU-NAH distribution to professional kitchens.
- RungiscoreFrench international market and foodservice wholesaler distributing BettaF!sh products.
- SelgrosminorEuropean cash and carry wholesaler offering BettaF!sh products.
- Milano VicecoreVeganuary campaign partner offering plant-based pizza options using TU-NAH.
- FoodjiminorFood delivery service partner offering BettaF!sh products.
- AramarkminorInternational food services provider offering BettaF!sh TU-NAH to their hospitality clients.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BettaF!sh competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Good Catch Foods: US-based plant-based seafood brand offering tuna, salmon, and crab alternatives made from a blend of legumes and algae. Direct competitor in the alt-seafood category with similar target customers (flexitarian/vegan consumers) and retail/foodservice GTM motion.
- Sophie's Kitchen: Plant-based seafood company producing fish fillets, shrimp, crab cakes, and tuna alternatives for North American retail. Operates in the same plant-based seafood category and competes for the same shelf space in natural and mainstream grocery channels.
- Ocean Hugger Foods: Pioneer of plant-based tuna alternatives (Ahimi) made from tomato and other plant ingredients. Most directly comparable on the canned tuna-substitute use case that TU-NAH targets, though distribution has been more US-focused.
Emerging players
- New Wave Foods: Plant-based shrimp alternative company using seaweed and plant protein. Comparable as a fellow alt-seafood startup using seaweed as a hero ingredient and targeting foodservice channels.
- Wildtype: Cultivated (cell-based) salmon company. Same end-product category (salmon alternative) and sustainability-driven narrative, though different production technology — signals the broader competitive set BettaF!sh will face as alt-seafood matures.
- Finless Foods: Plant-based and cultivated seafood company focused on tuna and other finfish alternatives. Competes for the same canned-tuna-substitute shopper BettaF!sh targets with TU-NAH.
- Plantcraft: European alt-seafood startup developing plant-based fish products. Comparable as a smaller regional competitor emerging in the same category BettaF!sh is trying to lead in Europe.
Broad incumbents
- Quorn: Global mycoprotein-based alternative protein brand with a much broader portfolio (chicken, mince, etc.). Relevant as a broad incumbent in alternative protein that could expand into seafood analogues and compete for foodservice and retail listings.
- Greenforce: German plant-based food company offering meat and dairy alternatives with broad retail distribution across DACH. Comparable as a European plant-based incumbent using similar retail/foodservice channels that could extend into seafood analogues.
Others
- Atlantic Sea Gardens: Seaweed cultivation and ingredient supplier from Nordic/Atlantic waters. Comparable as a supplier/partner for zero-input seaweed farming — adjacent to BettaF!sh's sourcing story rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BettaF!sh social profiles
Digital presenceBettaF!sh financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BettaF!sh leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
BettaF!sh funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BettaF!sh 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 BettaF!sh
What does BettaF!sh do?
BettaF!sh manufactures and sells 100% plant-based fish alternatives—TU-NAH (a canned tuna substitute) and SAL-NOM (a hot smoked salmon substitute)—made from European seaweed and plant proteins derived from fava beans and peas. The company sells these products via retail cans to consumers through grocery chains and its own online shop, and in bulk 1kg pouches and 8kg bag-in-box formats to foodservice operators, wholesalers, restaurant chains, and food manufacturers for use as branded or co-branded ingredients.
Is BettaF!sh a public or private company?
BettaF!sh is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BettaF!sh founded?
BettaF!sh was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BettaF!sh based?
BettaF!sh is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does BettaF!sh make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail product sales are the primary driver. The others are foodservice wholesale, co-branding and ingredient licensing and seaweed ingredients B2B.
Who are BettaF!sh's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Good Catch Foods, Sophie's Kitchen and Ocean Hugger Foods. Emerging players are New Wave Foods, Wildtype, Finless Foods and Plantcraft. Broad incumbents are Quorn and Greenforce. Atlantic Sea Gardens is listed as an others.
Does BettaF!sh have an API?
No public API is recorded for BettaF!sh.
What industry is BettaF!sh in?
BettaF!sh's product category is Plant-based seafood alternatives. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANAKAK, Plant-Based Seafood Alternatives (Analog Fish & Shellfish), with a secondary code of AFAKACAD, Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 31171 and its SIC code is 2092.