Anglo-Portuguese energy tech Arborea has secured €5M in new funding. The round was led by Indico Capital Partners and supported by Banco Português de Fomento (BPF). The investment will fund the preparation of Arborea’s first facility for commercial-scale protein production, aiming to mass produce nutrient-rich food products with a carbon-negative footprint.

Arborea’s Biosolar Leaf technology helps to cultivate microorganisms and other microscopic plants in a more cost-effective and in a carbon-negative manner, without the need for agricultural land or agriculture-deriving feedstock.

If successful, technologies such as this will reduce pressure on arable land whilst allowing cultivation to take place on diverse settings, including in urban surfaces.

Additionally, by capturing CO2 and using sunlight as an unlimited raw feedstock, the system effectively contributes to mitigating climate change, while releasing oxygen during the photosynthesis process. 

Stephan de Moraes, Managing General Partner at Indico Capital Partners, commented on the raise:

 “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.”