Third Wave Bioactives

What Third Wave Bioactives does

Third Wave Bioactives is a privately held Wisconsin LLC (founded 2017, 1-10 employees, headquartered in Wauwatosa) that develops and sells fermentation-based food ingredients and natural antimicrobial solutions to B2B customers in the food and pet food industries. The portfolio centers on four branded lines: bioVONTAGE (cultured food ingredients for clean-label applications), proVONTAGE (advanced blends combining fermentates with plant extracts, vinegar, and purified antimicrobials for complex refrigerated foods), reFRESH (a patent-pending platform using fermented whole-food inputs such as onion juice as shelf-life extenders), and Nisin (a fermentation-produced antimicrobial protein approved in over 50 countries). Supporting ingredients include cultured dextrose, cultured sugar, and cultured onion juice. All products are derived from GRAS bacteria, are non-GMO and allergen-free, and the bioVONTAGE line carries Kosher Pareve and Halal certifications.

The underlying technology is controlled bacterial fermentation of food-grade substrates combined with downstream blending and purification, supported by a proprietary microbe library that the company screens annually for commercially useful traits. The company addresses six end-market verticals — meat, dairy, plant-based foods, beverages, culinary/refrigerated prepared foods, and pet food — each with dedicated go-to-market content.

Revenue is generated through a B2B ingredient sales model featuring Technical Account Manager-led field sales (20-30% travel), sample-based selling, quote-based pricing, and multi-year supply contracts. Products are shipped FOB from Wisconsin to a primarily U.S. customer base, with Nisin carrying international regulatory approval across 50+ countries. Distribution is direct to manufacturers rather than through intermediaries, and marketing relies on the company's website, Instagram (@thirdwavebio), industry association memberships (IAFP, IFT, Refrigerated Foods Association, Plant Based Foods Association, Association for Dressings and Sauces), and trade show participation including IFT Chicago Suppliers Day.

Name

Third Wave Bioactives

Legal name

Third Wave Bioactives, LLC

Website

https://thirdwavebio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Third Wave Bioactives is a private Wisconsin-based B2B ingredient supplier that develops fermentation-derived antimicrobials and shelf-life extenders from GRAS bacteria for food and pet food manufacturers across meat, dairy, plant-based, beverage, culinary, and pet food verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Ingredients

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing (31193)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural Antimicrobials & Clean-Label Preservatives (Plant Extracts, Essential Oils, Fermented Extracts) (AFAJAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective Cultures & Biopreservation (Anti-Listeria, Anti-Mold, Shelf-Life Cultures) (AFAJAJAF), Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH)

Keywords

• Fermentation food ingredients
• Clean label preservatives
• Natural food protection
• Cultured food ingredients
• Shelf life extenders

Headquarters

HQ city

Wauwatosa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Food Ingredient Sales: B2B sales of natural food protection ingredients (fermentates, cultured dextrose, nisin, plant extracts) to food manufacturers. Ingredients are incorporated into customer products to extend shelf life, enhance safety, and enable clean label formulations. Sales model includes sample requests, direct sales engagement, and ongoing account management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Third Wave Bioactives develops and supplies fermentation-based, natural food protection ingredients to food and pet food manufacturers. Its portfolio includes cultured food ingredients (bioVONTAGE), advanced fermentate blends (proVONTAGE), patent-pending fermented whole-food shelf-life extenders (reFRESH), and nisin antimicrobial preparations. These ingredients enable manufacturers to extend shelf life, improve food safety, enhance flavor, and meet clean-label formulation requirements.

Product overview

Third Wave Bioactives offers a portfolio of fermentation-based food ingredients and natural food protection solutions. The core offerings include: bioVONTAGE (cultured food ingredients for clean-label trends), proVONTAGE (advanced blends combining fermentates with plant extracts, vinegar, and purified antimicrobials for complex food protection), reFRESH (patent-pending fermented whole food shelf-life extenders), and Nisin (time-tested natural antimicrobial preparation). Supporting products include cultured dextrose, cultured sugar, and cultured onion juice — all clean-label fermentates that extend shelf life and enhance flavor profiles. The company also provides technical support, training, and research services to help customers implement these solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• bioVONTAGE: Cultured food ingredients - fermentation-based ingredients helping food manufacturers capitalize on natural and clean-label trends. Allergen-free, non-GMO, enhances flavor profile, Kosher Pareve & Halal, accepted by all major retailers.
• proVONTAGE
• reFRESH
• Nisin Preparation

Quantifiable outcome

• Nisin approved in over 50 countries
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Association for Dressings and SaucesminorOthersIndustry association membership supporting the dressings and sauces segment of the food industry. Third Wave Bioactives is listed as a supporter, indicating alignment with this industry vertical.
• Refrigerated Foods AssociationcoreOthersIndustry association focused on refrigerated foods. Third Wave Bioactives is listed as a supporter, aligning with their primary focus on fresh and refrigerated food protection solutions.
• Plant Based Foods AssociationminorOthersIndustry association supporting plant-based food companies. Third Wave Bioactives is listed as a supporter, supporting their vertical focus on plant-based food applications.
• International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)coreOthersLeading global food safety association. Third Wave Bioactives is listed as a supporter, demonstrating commitment to food safety standards and industry leadership in this area.
• Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)minorOthersProfessional organization for food science and technology professionals. Third Wave Bioactives is listed as a supporter, supporting their R&D focus and industry credibility.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Handary: Smaller specialty ingredient company focused on natural antimicrobials (e.g., antimicrobial cheese coatings and protective cultures) targeting meat, dairy, and prepared food manufacturers. Similar size, scope, and GRAS/antimicrobial positioning as Third Wave Bioactives.

Broad incumbents

• DSM-Firmenich: Global nutrition and health ingredient company with food preservation and taste portfolios serving the same CPG and food service accounts. Overlaps on natural antimicrobial systems and shelf-life extension technologies.
• ADM: Global nutrition and ingredient company with fermentation and natural preservation capabilities (e.g., the ADM/BioHarvest collaboration and broader ingredient platform). Operates as a large incumbent across clean-label food protection categories.
• IFF (Danisco Food Ingredients): Large diversified ingredient supplier with a Danisco portfolio covering cultures, enzymes, and natural preservatives (e.g., the MicroGard line). Comparable as a broader incumbent competing across meat, dairy, beverages, and prepared foods with fermentation-based solutions.
• Cargill: Diversified global agribusiness with a food ingredients segment offering natural and fermentation-based ingredient solutions to the same meat, dairy, and beverage customers. Broad incumbent competing against Third Wave across multiple segments.

Direct peers

• Lallemand: Fermentation-focused company producing cultures, probiotics, and natural food protection ingredients for meat, dairy, and prepared foods. Closely matched business model of microbial-solution provider serving food manufacturers worldwide.
• Kerry Group: Global taste and nutrition company with a dedicated clean-label preservation and shelf-life solutions portfolio serving the same food manufacturer customers as Third Wave Bioactives. Direct overlap in natural fermentation-based preservatives for meat, dairy, and prepared foods.
• Kemin Industries: Family-owned ingredient manufacturer with proprietary natural antimicrobial and shelf-life extension solutions (e.g., BactoCEPS, NaturCEPS) sold into meat, dairy, beverage, and pet food. Direct comparable on clean-label fermentation-derived products and pet food exposure.
• Ingredion: Clean-label ingredient supplier offering cultured dextrose, vinegar-based systems, and natural preservative solutions to food manufacturers. Direct overlap on cultured dextrose and clean-label fermentation-derived ingredient platforms.
• Chr. Hansen (now Novonesis): Microbial and fermentation platform with bioprotection cultures (e.g., FreshQ) and natural food protection offerings targeting the same refrigerated and clean-label food manufacturer segments. Closely aligned on fermentation-derived, GRAS-based ingredient positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/thirdwavebio

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Third Wave Bioactives