Alt-protein sees 28% y-o-y investment decline

Alternative protein companies raised just US$235 million during the first quarter of 2025, an overall 28% decrease year-over-year — but a 102% increase quarter-over-quarter, according to data from Net Zero Insights platform as analyzed by the Good Food Institute.

Fermentation remained attractive to investors, with more than half of alt-protein investment going to fermentation companies — primarily precision fermentation startups, like US-based Liberation Labs. Despite a few large deals, there was a 36% decrease in fermentation investment year-over-year, to US$146…