FUDI Protein Raises Capital to Scale Alfalfa-Based RuBisCO Protein Production for Next-Generation Food Ingredients
FUDI Protein, a Madison, Wisconsin-based food technology company developing a new generation of plant-based protein ingredients, has raised capital through a combination of an institutional investment round and an equity crowdfunding campaign to accelerate the commercialization of its alfalfa-derived RuBisCO protein. The company said the financing will support the transition from laboratory-scale extraction to pilot production, customer sampling, intellectual property development, and regulatory efforts for human food applications. The institutional round was led by Green Boy Group, a global supplier of plant-based food ingredients.
Founded by Udi Lazimy, FUDI Protein is focused on unlocking RuBisCO, a naturally occurring protein found in green leaves, as a scalable alternative protein ingredient. The company extracts RuBisCO from regenerative alfalfa and is developing the ingredient as a functional replacement for traditional animal-derived proteins, including egg white protein and dairy proteins. FUDI Protein says its ingredient offers a complete amino acid profile, neutral taste, white color, and functional properties suitable for applications such as baking, beverages, and other food products.
The company’s latest financing effort combines institutional backing with a community investment campaign hosted through WeFunder. Through the crowdfunding campaign, FUDI Protein has opened the opportunity for individual investors to participate in the company’s growth as it works toward scaling production. The company’s WeFunder campaign highlights its goal of commercializing a complete and regenerative protein source derived from one of the world’s most widely cultivated crops.
Green Boy Group’s investment represents a strategic alignment between an emerging ingredient developer and an established supplier in the plant-based food sector. Green Boy Group has positioned itself as a supplier of plant-based ingredients and has backed FUDI Protein’s approach of using alfalfa to produce RuBisCO at scale. The investment will help FUDI advance its supply chain model, which connects directly with agricultural producers and aims to add value to existing alfalfa farming operations.
FUDI Protein’s technology centers on RuBisCO, an abundant plant protein that the company believes has significant potential as a food ingredient. While many alternative proteins rely on crops such as soy, peas, or other dedicated protein sources, FUDI is using alfalfa, a crop already grown extensively for agricultural purposes. The company’s approach focuses on extracting protein from alfalfa leaves while returning the remaining biomass to farmers for additional uses, creating what it describes as a more efficient and sustainable production model.
The company is targeting growing demand for stable, functional protein ingredients as food manufacturers look for alternatives to traditional animal-derived inputs. Rising interest in protein-rich foods, supply chain challenges, and demand for sustainable ingredients have increased attention on new protein technologies. FUDI Protein believes RuBisCO can address several limitations of existing plant-based proteins by offering strong functionality and broad application potential.
The new capital will support FUDI Protein’s efforts to move beyond laboratory development and toward commercial production. The company plans to retrofit its first manufacturing facility on a farm in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, with production targeted for 2027. The facility is expected to help demonstrate the company’s decentralized processing model and provide the capacity needed for customer sampling and market development.
FUDI Protein’s fundraising comes as alternative protein companies continue exploring new biological sources and production methods to meet changing consumer and industry needs. By focusing on RuBisCO, the company aims to create an ingredient that can function similarly to conventional proteins while offering advantages related to sustainability, supply chain resilience, and agricultural integration.
The company’s leadership team includes food technology professionals with experience in the alternative protein sector. FUDI Protein says its team includes former executives and leaders from companies such as Eat Just, Beyond Meat, and Ripple Foods, bringing experience in developing and commercializing innovative food products.
With support from Green Boy Group and community investors through WeFunder, FUDI Protein is working to bring its alfalfa-derived RuBisCO ingredient closer to commercial availability. The company’s goal is to establish RuBisCO as a widely used protein ingredient for food manufacturers seeking functional, sustainable, and scalable alternatives to conventional protein sources. As the alternative protein industry continues evolving, FUDI Protein is positioning its technology as a potential pathway toward a more resilient and diversified global protein supply.
