Those Vegan Cowboys has closed its first funding round as it gearing up to launch a crowdfunding campaign to support the development of its animal-free casein.
The European start-up makes casein, one of the two main proteins in dairy milk, via precision fermentation, deriving a bioidentical ingredient for use in cheese and other dairy alternatives.
The start-up collected €6.25m (around $7.33m) in its first funding round, an amount that would secure its future for the next two years.
Cheese producer Westland Kaas is one of two dairy majors that have invested, with Pieter Geelen, co-founder of TomTom, leading the round with participation from Wouter Veenboer, co-founder of shopping platform ProductHero.
Westland Kaas (known for Old Amsterdam) and Those Vegan Cowboys have an existing partnership, having launched plant-based cheese brand WildWestLand through a joint venture.
Beyond plant-based, the foodtech start-up is already working with 10 industry partners on a variety of practical applications for its cow-free casein.
Next, the company is hoping to move towards market entry: it is close to full regulatory clearance in the US, where it holds a self-affirmed GRAS.
But first, a crowdfunding campaign that will enable regular consumers to invest in the foodtech.
Those Vegan Cowboys are likely the first in the precision fermentation dairy industry to use crowdfunding to raise additional resources – a move that can bolster investment and foster brand awareness and consumer loyalty all at the same time. In addition, the start-up is planning to hold tastings in the Netherlands in 2026, to allow consumers to experience its cow-free cheese prototypes.
“This is where sustainability, technology and industry come together,” CEO Hille van der Kaa explained. “Our partners recognize that animal-free casein is no longer a distant vision, but ready for commercial application. This investment allows us to move from development to market entry.”
Reflecting on the investment, Westland Kaas CFO Frank Fischer said: “As Westland Kaas, we have always combined tradition with technology. We continue to invest in innovation to reinvent cheese for future generations. Our investment in Those Vegan Cowboys reflects our commitment to open innovation and next-generation food technologies.”
Wouter Veenboer added: “This has the potential to be a major breakthrough. As livestock farming continues to industrialize, the need to relieve the dependency on animals becomes more urgent. Cheese is one of the products consumers miss most when they reduce dairy. I’m excited to help make this vision a reality.”
Further details on the crowdfunding campaign will be announced in the coming months.
