Planet A cocoa free chocolate gains major $30 million scale-up funding
The management team of Planet A cocoa-free chocolate. Pic: Planet A
A major boost has been achieved by fast-rising cocoa-free chocolate start-up, Planet A Foods, as it gains $30 million second round of funding to further scale-up its production, reports Neill Barston.
The company, which gained honours at our World Confectionery Conference in recognition of advancing its brands over the past two years, has continued its notable momentum.
Speaking at this week’s Choco Tec event, co founder Dr Sara Marquart observed that there had been a significant volume of work done right across its activities, from research and development, through to securing distribution deals, as it continues to build its profile.
The company, which she founded with her brother Maximilian in 2021, and has seen it undergo several name change evolutions, has gained success in achieving listings for its Choviva brand with supermarkets within Europe that have seen its fortunes rise.
Significantly, the series is made from sunflower seeds, the series offers the rich, indulgent taste and velvety texture that consumers love from chocolate—without the cocoa. This innovation delivers approximately 80% fewer carbon emissions compared to chocolate, supporting the fight against climate change and the environmental challenges of traditional cocoa farming.
ChoViva is featured in over 20 products and trusted by major partners like Lambertz, Lindt, Rewe Group and Deutsche Bahn. The round was co-led by Burda Principal Investments and Zintinus, with participation from World Fund, Bayern Kapital, Cherry Ventures, Tengelmann Ventures, BayWa Venture and Omnes Capital.
Driven by the global push for sustainable food alternatives, Planet A Foods is now setting its sights on dominating the global stage. Following successful product launches in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the company is set to debut in the UK and France in the first quarter of 2025. This latest investment will enable Planet A Foods to scale production from 2,000 to over 15,000 tons annually, leveraging both its own facilities and strategic partnerships to meet surging demand.
Dr. Maximilian Marquart, CEO and co-founder, declared: “This Series B round marks a major milestone for us. With 30 million dollars in fresh funding and an industry-leading product, Planet A Foods is no longer just a startup – we’re now on the way to becoming a leading foodtech player reshaping the sustainable food industry. Our mission remains unchanged: to provide sustainable food ingredients that are decoupled from price volatile and limited resources such as cocoa. This funding will enable us to further expand into new markets, ramp up production, and deliver at scale to global confectionery giants.”
Speaking to Confectionery Production at this year’s Choco Tec. Sara Marquart, CTO and co-founder, expressed her optimism at the company’s continued development, though acknowledged that much work remained in order to take the business to the next level.
Furthermore, she responded to questions at the event over precisely how it its marketed – observing that legal advisers had indicated that its best course of action would be to describe its series as being cocoa-free chocolate.
She said: “At Planet A Foods, we believe the future of food must be sustainable, ethical, and scalable. ChoViva empowers producers to create 100% cocoa-free products, reducing reliance on vulnerable supply chains and making a tangible impact on the environment. This Series B allows us to scale our impact and strengthen our position as the go-to partner for sustainable chocolate innovation.”
