Planted
Overview
Planted Foods AG, known as Planted, is a Swiss food tech company specializing in producing plant-based meat alternatives. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Kemptthal, Switzerland, Planted has gained recognition for its proprietary structuring and fermentation technologies, which utilize plant proteins to craft meat-like textures and flavors. The company was co-founded by Christoph Jenny, Eric Stirnemann, Lukas Böni, and Pascal Bieri. As of February 2025, Planted has successfully raised several rounds of funding, with significant investments aimed at expanding its production capabilities and market presence.
Recent Developments
- December 2024: SevenVentures, the investment arm of ProSiebenSat.1, made a media-for-equity investment in Planted Foods. This deal, valued in the mid-single-digit million range, aims to enhance Planted's brand visibility through targeted media campaigns across German-speaking regions.
- September 2024: Planted expanded its production capabilities by inaugurating a new facility in Memmingen, Germany, to cater to the growing plant-based meat demand in Europe.
- March 2024: Planted launched its first fermented steak, marking a significant milestone in its product offerings, and expanded its production to meet increasing demand.
- September 2023: The company achieved B Corp Certification, aligning its business practices with high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
- October 2023: Planted partnered with Tesco to introduce its new product, planted.duck, and expand its retail presence across the UK.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Kemptthal, Switzerland |
| Founders | Christoph Jenny, Eric Stirnemann, Lukas Böni, Pascal Bieri |
| Key Investors | SevenVentures, Innosuisse |
| Industry | Plant-Based Foods |
| Number of Employees | 201-500 |
Early History
Planted was conceived in 2019, following Pascal Bieri's exposure to the burgeoning plant-based meat industry in the United States. Motivated by the potential for creating healthier alternatives to traditional meat, devoid of additives, Bieri joined forces with ETH Zurich doctoral students Lukas Böni and Eric Stirnemann. The trio laid the foundation for Planted, capitalizing on the advanced research and engineering support from one of Europe's leading technical universities. Early support came in the form of the ETH Pioneer Fellowship, which enabled the establishment of the pilot plant and early product development.
Company Profile and Achievements
Planted operates with the vision of creating plant-based meats that surpass traditional meat in taste, sustainability, and health benefits. Its business model prioritizes innovation in structuring plant proteins to replicate the texture and flavor of animal meat using clean, natural ingredients without additives.
- 2019: The founding year saw the launch of planted.chicken in Switzerland, quickly gaining popularity for its authentic taste.
- 2021: Expanded product line to include planted.pulled, planted.kebab, and planted.schnitzel. Planted achieved a Guinness World Record for the longest schnitzel.
- 2022: Completed a Series B funding round, raising 70 million CHF to scale operations and enhance R&D.
- 2023: The introduction of planted.duck at Tesco marked the expansion into the UK market.
Current Operations and Market Position
As of 2025, Planted operates several production facilities, including its transparent glass-house installation at Kemptthal, which is open to the public. The company's products are distributed in over 10,000 retail outlets and 6,500 restaurants across Europe. Planted leverages its partnerships with top chefs and retailers to broaden its reach and impact. By focusing on market penetration in Germany, France, and the UK, Planted aims to be a leader in the alternative protein market.
Conclusion
Planted Foods AG stands at the forefront of innovation in the plant-based food industry, with compelling growth figures corroborated by its expanding market presence and product line. As the demand for sustainable protein sources continues to surge, Planted is strategically positioned to capitalize on this trend, making significant strides towards its mission of providing healthier, more sustainable, and tasty alternatives to meat worldwide.