Arborea Raises €5 Million to Advance Carbon-Negative Protein Production and Food Innovation

Arborea, an Anglo-Portuguese startup specializing in sustainable proteins and nutrient-rich ingredients, has raised €5 million in funding. Led by Indico Capital Partners and supported by Banco Português de Fomento (BPF), the investment will drive the development of Arborea's first commercial-scale facility utilizing its innovative Biosolar Leaf technology.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in London, Arborea’s Biosolar Leaf system uses photosynthetic microorganisms like microalgae to produce high-value, nutrient-dense proteins. This cutting-edge technology operates without relying on arable land or agricultural feedstock, cultivating up to 50,000 species of microorganisms in urban or diverse settings. The system delivers a carbon-negative footprint by capturing CO2, harnessing sunlight, and releasing oxygen while reducing environmental pressure.

Arborea's technology offers net-zero, highly functional proteins that address the demands of a growing global population. By eliminating the need for traditional agriculture, the approach mitigates climate change and enables the restoration of agricultural land to natural ecosystems.

With this funding, Arborea is poised to lead a transformation in the global food system, offering scalable solutions that balance nutritional needs with environmental sustainability.

Julian Melchiorri, Founder and CEO at Arborea, stated: “This funding marks a pivotal step in our mission to revolutionize food production through our Biosolar Leaf™ technology. By sustainably and carbon-negatively producing multifunctional protein—clean in taste, color, and adaptable to diverse food applications—we are tackling two of the world’s most pressing challenges: food security and climate change. We are proud to partner with Indico Capital Partners and Banco Português de Fomento to scale innovative, nature-positive solutions that will transform the future of food and restore balance to our planet.”

Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners, added: “We believe that the investment in Arborea will have a transformative impact on the food industry, particularly in replacing animal protein. The Biosolar Leaf™ cultivation system from microalgae enables the production of a higher quantity of protein compared to any other food production method, including agriculture and animal production. This investment will be crucial in consolidating Arborea’s position as a leader in creating innovative solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.”