Israeli startup Plantopia raises $9 million to make dairy proteins without cows
Israeli food-tech startup Plantopia has raised $9 million to scale the production of plant-based dairy proteins using molecular farming. The company aims to produce casein identical to cow's milk to meet rising demand for high-protein, lactose-free alternatives.
Why it matters
Advancements in molecular farming could significantly reduce the environmental impact of the dairy industry while addressing consumer health trends and protein shortages.
Israeli food-tech company Plantopia has raised $9 million in a funding round led by dairy producer Schreiber Foods and food investment firm Siddhi Capital, as it prepares to move from research and development into commercial production of plant-based dairy proteins. Full list of Israeli high-tech funding rounds in 2026 The company said the funding will support the launch of its manufacturing facility at Kibbutz Sdot Yam, which is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of this year. Plantopia develops dairy proteins through molecular farming, a technology that uses plants to produce complex proteins traditionally derived from animals. The company's first product is casein, the main protein responsible for the structure and functionality of cheese.
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