In a significant development for the food industry, US-based sweet protein start-up Oobli has joined forces with global ingredients giant Ingredion. This collaboration aims to accelerate the availability of healthier, more affordable, and better-tasting sweetener systems. The partnership comes alongside Oobli securing $18 million in Series B1 funding, which will further fuel innovation in natural sweeteners. By combining Oobli's cutting-edge sweet protein technology with Ingredion's extensive expertise in ingredient solutions, the two companies plan to offer a range of products that meet both nutritional goals and cost constraints. They will showcase some of their joint developments at the upcoming Future Food Tech event in San Francisco.

The alliance between Oobli and Ingredion represents a strategic move to address growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Sweet proteins, which are significantly sweeter than sugar but contain no calories, present an ideal solution for various food and beverage applications such as soft drinks, baked goods, yogurts, and confectionery. These proteins can also enhance other natural sweeteners like stevia, offering manufacturers a cost-effective way to improve sweetness while adhering to nutritional guidelines. Recent collaborative efforts have already yielded promising results, leading to positive feedback from initial trials. Consequently, the two companies are set to introduce new innovations at the Future Food Tech event in March 2025.

Oobli’s CEO, Ali Wing, emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing the category of better-for-you sweeteners. “Sweet proteins represent a much-needed addition to the sweetener toolkit. Collaborating with Ingredion allows us to develop groundbreaking solutions that align with the evolving needs of consumers,” Wing stated. Meanwhile, Nate Yates, VP and GM of sugar reduction at Ingredion, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation. “Our work with sweet proteins marks an exciting chapter in our ongoing mission to provide innovative sugar reduction solutions,” he remarked. Yates noted that the synergy between existing sweetener systems and novel sweet proteins opens up numerous possibilities for enhancing product offerings.

This collaboration follows recent regulatory milestones for Oobli, including receiving FDA GRAS 'no questions' letters for two sweet proteins, confirming their safety for use in food and beverages. The Series B1 funding round attracted several new investors, including Ingredion Ventures, Lever VC, and Sucden Ventures, joining existing backers such as Khosla Ventures and Piva Capital. With these resources and partnerships in place, Oobli and Ingredion are well-positioned to drive forward the future of natural sweeteners, addressing both market demands and health-conscious consumer preferences.

Through this strategic partnership, Oobli and Ingredion are poised to lead the charge in delivering innovative sweetening solutions. Their combined expertise and resources promise to revolutionize the sweetener landscape, offering healthier and tastier options for consumers worldwide. The upcoming Future Food Tech event will serve as a platform to unveil the fruits of their collaboration, setting the stage for a new era in natural sweeteners.