SuperFood from Israel

Brevel, an Israeli food-tech startup based in Kiryat Gat, was founded by three brothers: Yonatan, Ido and Matan Golan. They were driven by a mission to nourish the growing global population with a high-value source of plant protein. A mission to be praised.

Brevel’s solution addresses the expanding demand for nutritious, eco-friendly, and affordable alternatives to animal protein.

The alternative: microalgae. The company’s patented technology combines an advanced fermentation process using light to cultivate microalgae, which then is converted to a concentrated, highly nutritious whole-protein powder.

Brevel secured US$25 million in seed funding in 2023 and the current extension, and opened its first commercial plant in 2024. The new facility covers 2,500 square meters and can produce hundreds of tons of microalgae protein powder annually to serve the flourishing global alternative protein space.

In today’s press release, the company revealed that it secured more than US$5 million in a seed extension up round, bringing the total investment in the round to US$25 million.

Brevel’s recent successes include: completion of the first-of-a-kind commercial factory (FOAK), successful scale-up of the technology to a commercial production volume of 5,000L, securing a commercial and joint-development agreement with The Central Bottling Company (CBC Group), and significant advancements of Brevel’s protein and polar lipid ingredient developments.

This investment injection allows it to accelerate its go-to-market strategy and develop microalgae proteins for multiple food and beverage applications.

Brevel’s proprietary technology for cultivating microalgae combines light with sugar based fermentation in indoor bioreactors. This innovative platform enables the efficient production of nutrient-rich microalgae in large quantities, without the need for genetic modification.

Fermentation, traditionally limited to dark environments, produces microalgae at high yields and affordable costs, yet poor in light-dependent nutrients, functionalities, and overall commercial value.

Brevel is the first company to unite the two processes and take fermentation out of the dark, producing high-quality, nutrient-rich microalgae at high yields and low costs.

Brevel’s advanced downstream process delivers a white, completely neutral-flavoured microalgae protein isolate powder. The powder can be seamlessly integrated into a broad spectrum of meat and dairy alternatives as a functional ingredient with excellent emulsifying, gelling, and foaming properties. It possesses remarkable nutritional value, with a full amino-acid profile. It also is highly functional, non-allergenic, non-GMO, and planet-friendly.

Microalgae’s natural array of nutrients includes protein, lipids, fibres, and bioactive antioxidants derived from photosynthesis. Every component of the biomass is a vital part of Brevel’s portfolio and business plan. “Our business model is similar to that of soy protein,” reveals Golan and adds: “The revenue must come from the co-products just as with soy and meat products. Our combined light and fermentation platform allows us to capitalize on all of the components of the microalgae and not just the protein portion.“

Global Background

As of recent estimates, the algae protein market was valued at approximately USD 997.4 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4.8% from 2025 to 2030, potentially reaching over USD 1.3 billion by the end of the decade.

Other projections suggest the broader microalgae market, including protein applications, could reach USD 1.8 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 10.3%, or even USD 2.26 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 8.6%, depending on the scope of products and regions considered.

These variations reflect differences in market definitions, with some focusing solely on protein and others encompassing wider microalgae applications like dietary supplements, animal feed, and nutraceuticals.

Microalgae require minimal land and water, can be grown in non-arable areas, and have a high yield potential—producing 4 to 15 tons of protein per hectare per year, far surpassing soybeans (0.6 to 1.2 tons). Innovations in cultivation techniques, such as photobioreactors and fermentation systems, along with strategic investments—like Brevel’s USD 25 million seed round expansion in 2025 to scale microalgae protein production—are further accelerating growth.

Another branch can be fuel: Algae-based biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from the cultivation and processing of algae, primarily microalgae, which are rich in oils, carbohydrates, and other compounds that can be converted into fuels like biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, and even jet fuel. These biofuels have garnered attention as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels due to their potential environmental and economic benefits, though they face significant challenges in scalability and cost-effectiveness. If costs drop (potentially by 30% with genetic tweaks, per the Algae Biomass Organization) and pilot projects scale successfully, algae could carve a niche in the energy mix, especially for hard-to-decarbonize sectors like aviation. For now, it’s a high-potential field still wrestling with practical realities.

Challenges remain, including high production costs, complex extraction processes, and regulatory hurdles, but ongoing research and partnerships between companies like Corbion, and Nestlé, and startups like Brevel are addressing these barriers. Overall, the microalgae protein market is poised for robust expansion as it aligns with global trends toward sustainability and nutrition.

Based on the press release of the company and enhanced (Global Background) by VonNaftali. Pic AI-generated. Illustrative.