Catalysing the protein transition: Pymwymic joins Rival Foods’ Series B
Pymwymic is proud to announce its investment in Rival Foods, a Dutch food-tech company pioneering the next generation of plant-based, whole-cut meat alternatives. Rival Foods has raised a €10 million Series B round with participation from new investors APG, Pymwymic, and ROM Utrecht Region, alongside follow-on funding from existing investor PeakBridge. The fresh capital will enable Rival Foods to double its production capacity, scaling its proprietary manufacturing technology, and driving production costs down to deliver plant-based meat at competitive prices.
The shift to alternative proteins is one of the most powerful ways to reduce food-related emissions – delivering six times the climate impact of eliminating global air travel. Yet plant-based meat still makes up just 5% of meat consumption in Europe, held back by high prices, poor texture and taste, and concerns over ultra-processed ingredients. Rival Foods tackles these barriers head-on with patent-protected technology that transforms simple, recognisable ingredients into clean-label, protein-rich cuts that look, cook and taste like real meat.
“This investment marks a major milestone in our mission to make high-quality plant-based meat mainstream, without compromising on taste, texture, or nutrition,” said Birgit Dekkers, CEO and founder of Rival Foods. “With the backing of world-class investors, we’re ready to scale fast and reshape the future of protein. We’re called Rival for a reason – we’re here to be one.”
Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Wageningen University & Research, Rival Foods combines deep scientific expertise with a sharp commercial focus. CEO Birgit Dekkers, a specialist in protein structuring, has translated years of academic research into a scalable technology with real-world traction. Rather than competing directly on supermarket shelves, the company takes a B2B-first approach, supplying chefs, foodservice providers and consumer brands with high-quality whole-cut products designed to elevate plant-based menus and accelerate mainstream adoption.
“Rival Foods has cracked the code on clean-label, plant-based proteins that truly deliver the taste and texture of meat. With products already matching animal protein on cost, they’re set to accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable, plant-powered future.”
Rogier Pieterse, Managing Partner Pymwymic
With new funding and growing momentum from successful product launches and strategic partnerships, Rival Foods is well positioned to scale its impact and continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable protein innovation – one whole-cut at a time. Rival Foods is the eleventh portfolio company to join Pymwymic’s Healthy Food Systems Impact Fund II.
For questions, please contact Sophie Pickering: Sophie@pymwymic.com
About Rival Foods
Rival Foods develops high-quality, whole-cut plant-based meat alternatives using a proprietary technology platform. The company’s mission is to usher in a new era of plant-based eating, without sacrificing the culinary experience.
About Pymwymic
Pymwymic (Put Your Money Where Your Meaning Is Community) has taken a frontrunner role in the transition towards investing with care for both people and planet since 1994. Backed by over 250 individuals, families, entrepreneurs and angel investors and joined by institutional investors, we have launched two Article 9 compliant impact funds, currently investing through the Healthy Food Systems Impact Fund II. This fund focuses on early-stage AgriFood scale-ups that offer pioneering solutions in areas like sustainable farming, food waste reduction, and regenerative agriculture.
About APG
As the largest pension services provider in the Netherlands APG looks after the pensions of 4.6 million participants. APG provides executive consultancy, asset management, pension administration, pension communication and employer services. We work for pension funds and employers in the sectors of education, government, construction, cleaning, housing associations, sheltered employment organizations, medical specialists, and architects. APG manages approximately €616 billion (December 2024) in pension assets. With approximately 4,000 employees we work from Heerlen, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
About ROM Utrecht Region
ROM Utrecht Region is an impact-driven investor focused on improving access to capital for innovative companies in the Utrecht region. ROM Utrecht Region invests in key transition sectors critical to the future economy: digital, health, and sustainability. To realize these investments, it works with a broad range of partners inside and outside the region. ROM Utrecht Region manages two funds: the Startup Innovation Fund (SIF) and the Participation Fund. The investment in Rival Foods comes from the Participation Fund and is made possible in part by co-financing from the Province of Utrecht and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
About PeakBridge
PeakBridge is a global VC bridging the gap between bold innovation and real-world needs, to transform the future of food. From Seed to Series B, we invest in visionary pioneers with scalable, B2B, protectable technologies and positive impact at their core. Our expert team includes pioneers of FoodTech investing, food industry veterans, scientists, and financiers. 360° experience, tailor-made to support our portfolio companies in making long-term impact on our global food system.
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