Standing Ovation inks exlusive partnership with Bel Group

Just one month after Standing Ovation SA won the start-up pitch at INDUSTRIA BIOTEC and got a €16m Series A financing, the two-year old company has inked a production partnership with Bel group, the market leader in snack cheese such as Bonbel, who makes a revenue of €3.7bn annually. This opens the avenue to  the ambition of the Paris-based food-tech company to become a key player in the €2.5bn vegan cheese market.

Standing Ovation has patented a fermentation process to manufacture animal- and GMO-free casein, the most abundant milk protein in cheese (80%). Casein is responsible for the white colour and physical properties of milk. Casein imparts the texture, flavour, and physical attributes of natural cheese to non-animal and lactose-free cheese and dairy products, and has thus hitherto posed an obstacle for the vegan cheese production.

As the fermentation process takes just 1% of the land use of a cow, its production is expected to result in a considerable reduction of the product’s CO₂ footprint.This cooperation ensures the acceleration of the development of the start-ups technology and the concrete application, as well as the expansion of the Bel Group’s repertoire in vegan and sustainable cheeses.

“I am delighted with this exclusive partnership, which perfectly illustrates how our Group is committed to FoodTech for the future of food. It also demonstrates the confidence that innovative start-ups like Standing Ovation have in us to transform the food model. Combining the knowledge and skills of such a start-up and a Group like ours guarantees that we will be able to offer products that will meet consumers’ expectations tomorrow,” said Caroline Sorlin, Chief Venture Officer at Bel Group.