The French start-up La Vie, specialist in plant-based substitutes for pork and industrial charcuterie, announces a new record fundraising of €25 million, bringing its total funds raised to €50 million in just three years.
This is “a real feat in a complex economic context, marked by a 36% drop in investments in the FoodTech sector”, underlines Nicolas Schweitzer, CEO and founder of La Vie. It’s a new chapter that opens in the hypergrowth of La Vie, supported by its shareholders and new specialized investors, including Zintinus and Sparkfood, from the largest crowdequity campaign in France (more than 3,000 investors). “This new fundraising is much more than financial support, it is a recognition of our ability to remove the barriers of plants and to disrupt the food codes of tomorrow. With the support of our investors, we will pursue our mission and continue to innovate, without compromising on taste. At La Vie, we have always focused on pleasure and, today, we are ready to take a new step by strengthening our presence in our current markets and accelerating the expansion of our range”, explains Nicolas Schweitzer.
Animal fat reproduced in plants
Created in 2019 by Nicolas Schweitzer and Vincent Poulichet, La Vie has developed a patented French technology capable of reproducing animal fat, but 100% plant-based. Three years of R&D in their Parisian laboratory made it possible to develop this revolutionary innovation. La Vie today displays exceptional performance. With retail growth of 192% over the last twelve months, and a targeted turnover of €19 million in 2024 (against 7,€6 million in 2023), the French brand establishes itself as a real success. Its plant-based substitutes for pork and industrial cold meats have enabled it to find a place in more than 8,200 points of sale and partner restaurants in Europe.. Already present in 10 countries, the brand has been adopted by food service giants such as Burger King and brands such as Carrefour, E.Leclerc and Intermarché.
Target audience : bending over
La Vie also conquered the market by winning 24 awards for its now iconic vegetable bacon.. Its products appeal to a wide audience, including the younger generations, particularly sensitive to ecological issues and animal welfare. With this new fundraising, La Vie intends to continue its rise by, in particular, accelerating its distribution and accessibility in France and the United Kingdom., its two main markets. In parallel, the brand continues to invest in innovation to enrich its product portfolio and facilitate the adoption of plants and the transition of consumers, especially flexitarians, towards a more sustainable diet. In addition to these efforts, La Vie invests heavily in awareness and sampling campaigns, aiming to strengthen its image and introduce its plant-based solutions to an ever-wider audience.
