Solar Foods is emerging as one of the most exciting innovators in Europe’s food technology sector. By producing protein directly from air, water, and renewable electricity, the Finnish startup is redefining how sustainable nutrition can be created. In this article, you’ll learn about Solar Foods’ founders, funding journey, the science behind the technology, its product development, competitors, and the transformative potential it holds for the European food industry.
The Founders and Origins of Solar Foods
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Solar Foods was co-founded by Pasi Vainikka and Juha-Pekka Pitkänen, along with Sami Holmström, Jero Ahola, Jari Tuovinen, and Janne Mäkelä, visionaries committed to decoupling protein production from conventional agriculture.
- Pasi Vainikka: CEO, drives the strategic and operational vision of the company.
- Juha-Pekka Pitkänen: CTO, Partner, and Founder at Solar Foods, oversees the scientific and technological development of the Solein protein process.
The company’s origins stem from a research project aimed at developing novel protein production methods using minimal environmental resources. The team bootstrapped initial development before attracting venture funding, scaling the concept from laboratory innovation to a commercial-ready product.
Solar Foods’ Funding Journey: Fueling Innovation
Solar Foods has attracted significant investor attention, reflecting confidence in its disruptive potential:
| Date | Amount raised | Investors Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | ~€15M | Breakthrough Energy Ventures, EQT Ventures, NordicNinja VC |
| 2023 | €30M debt + equity financing | European Investment Bank (EIB), private investors |
| 2024–2025 | Ongoing fundraising | Industry partnerships, EU innovation grants |
This trajectory highlights strong validation from both private and institutional investors, emphasizing Solar Foods’ position as a front-runner in alternative protein technology.
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Technology: From Air to Protein
At the core of Solar Foods’ innovation is Solein, a protein produced through microbial fermentation using only:
- Carbon dioxide from air
- Water
- Renewable electricity
This process is both carbon- and resource-efficient, requiring minimal land and significantly less water compared to traditional animal or plant-based protein sources.
Key Technological Features of Solar Food
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Microbial Fermentation | Bacteria convert CO₂ and hydrogen into protein biomass |
| Scalable Production | Modular units enable production independent of soil or climate |
| Environmental Efficiency | Up to 95% lower carbon footprint than beef |
| Food-Grade Protein | Neutral flavor and odor, versatile in beverages, powders, and meat alternatives |
| EU Regulatory Compliance | Fully aligned with Novel Food regulations in Europe |
By producing protein in a controlled, modular, and environmentally sustainable way, Solar Foods is pioneering a new paradigm for protein supply chains.
Products, Partnerships, and Industry Impact
Product Development
Solar Foods’ Solein® protein is marketed as a neutral ingredient for use in:
- Protein powders and shakes
- Functional food products
- Meat and dairy alternatives
- Nutritional bars and beverages
The company is actively engaging with food manufacturers across Europe to integrate Solein® into commercial products.
Solar Foods Share Price
Competitors of Solar Foods
Deep Branch (acquired by Aerbio 2024):
Deep Branch Biotechnology, a company focused on producing sustainable protein from carbon dioxide, was acquired in 2024 through a management buyout and has been relaunched under the new name Aerbio. The new company, headquartered in Denmark, is building on the foundations laid by Deep Branch. Their core technology, called the (R)evolve™ platform, utilizes aerobic gas fermentation to convert simple molecules like carbon dioxide and hydrogen into high-value products.
Their primary product is Proton™, a single-cell protein with a nutritional profile comparable to fishmeal, which they aim to commercialize for use in animal and human nutrition. Aerbio has retained the core management and technical team from Deep Branch and is focused on scaling up production, with plans to build a test factory and a demo factory in Denmark.
The company has acquired Deep Branch’s intellectual property and its piloting facilities in the Netherlands. While no specific recent funding announcements were found for Aerbio, the company’s focus is on rapid growth and scaling its technology to bring Proton™ to market.
MeEat Food Tech Oy:
MeEat Food Tech Oy is a Finnish food technology company that specialises in producing plant-based meat alternatives. As a spin-off from a traditional meat processing company, MeEat’s core business model and technology revolve around converting existing meat production facilities into plant-based food factories. The company’s vision is to make plant-based eating both easy and delicious, and to help the food industry transition to more sustainable production without building new factories.
MeEat’s product line, sold under the brand name “MUU,” utilises a proprietary technology that includes the fermentation of fava beans and the use of pea protein. This approach aims to create products that mimic the taste, texture, and mouthfeel of traditional processed meat products, making it easier for consumers to switch to plant-based alternatives. The company has a wide portfolio of over 50 products, including mince, sausages, and nuggets.
In terms of funding, MeEat Food Tech Oy raised an €8 million Series A funding round in May 2022. This funding, co-led by Swiss venture capital firm Emerald Technology Ventures, Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd), and Finnish KVKI Capital, was aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the growing plant-protein market and accelerating its international expansion into key European markets like Germany, Denmark, and the Benelux countries. The company has been recognised for its innovation, winning awards such as “Best New/StartUp Business” at the World Food Innovation Awards.
Industry Impact: Food Tech
The implications for Europe’s food system are significant:
- Environmental Sustainability: Dramatically reduces reliance on farmland and mitigates carbon emissions.
- Food Security: Independent production from air and water enables protein availability regardless of agricultural constraints.
- Innovation in Manufacturing: Modular, scalable production facilities allow for flexible deployment near urban centers or manufacturing hubs.
- Market Transformation: Enables food companies to create high-protein, sustainable products without relying on traditional animal or plant protein supply chains.
Future Outlook: Scaling and Expansion
With increasing investor support and growing interest from food manufacturers, Solar Foods is focused on:
- Industrial Scale-Up: Deploying larger fermentation units to meet commercial demand.
- Market Partnerships: Collaborating with European food brands to introduce Solein® into consumer products.
- Global Expansion: Preparing to enter markets beyond Europe as regulatory approvals and production scale permit.
The company’s ambition is clear: to make air-derived protein a mainstream ingredient that is accessible, sustainable, and commercially viable.
Solar Foods exemplifies the intersection of European innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. By transforming air into protein, the company is not only pioneering a revolutionary food technology but also creating tangible business opportunities for food manufacturers, investors, and the wider food ecosystem.
In a world seeking sustainable and scalable protein solutions, Solar Foods is turning a once futuristic idea into a real, market-ready, and impactful technology.