Cano-ela, a foodtech company based in the Netherlands, has raised €1.6 million in funding. This investment comes from existing investor Oost NL and new partners Value Factory Ventures and Ecoseed. This latest funding round follows previous investments that helped Cano-ela create a proof-of-concept and enhance its research efforts.
With the new funding, Cano-ela is ready for its next phase. The company will focus on scaling its production of plant-based ingredients from underutilized canola seeds. This capital will help advance the company toward commercialization.
Canola, related to mustard and broccoli, is primarily grown for vegetable oil and animal feed. However, it is packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids, making it suitable for plant-based diets. Cano-ela’s innovative approach allows for the extraction of a wider range of ingredients from these seeds. This process helps food companies create plant-based products that utilize more of the seed’s natural components.
Cano-ela emphasizes using raw materials like canola without relying on harsh refining methods. Instead of isolating single components, their method preserves the natural structure of ingredients.
The company currently offers three canola-based products—Cano-cream, Cano-soluble, and Cano-fiber. These natural pre-mixes are rich in nutrients. Each ingredient provides unique benefits such as solubility, emulsification, and the ability to absorb water and oil, enhancing food formulation.
Juliana Romero, co-founder and CEO of Cano-ela, commented, “We are entering an exciting phase as we prepare to bring our innovative ingredients to market. This investment will allow us to upgrade our pilot facility, increase production capacity and accelerate collaborations with food producers seeking high-quality, plant-based and sustainable ingredient solutions.”
