Bettani Farms: The New Name in Plant-Based Cheese Innovation
Plant-based cheesemaker Climax Foods has officially rebranded as Bettani Farms. The company has appointed Sandeep Patel, former CFO of Califia Farms, as its new CEO and chairman. This transition follows the successful closing of a $6.5 million Series A funding round led by S2G Investments.
From Blue Cheese to Broader Horizons
Founded in 2020 by astrophysicist Dr. Oliver Zahn during the height of alternative protein investments, Climax Foods garnered attention with its unique ‘zero compromise’ blue cheese. In 2023, the startup began supplying this award-winning product to select restaurants and both online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
In a strategic move, Bettani Farms has partnered with Bel Group, known for brands like Babybel and Boursin, to develop plant-based versions of their iconic cheeses.
Challenges Faced by the Former Brand
Despite initial excitement, former employees noted significant challenges in scaling the unit economics of their acclaimed cheese production. As reported by AgFunderNews, they stated, “Everyone is passionate about the products, but food is not like software. You can’t just push a button and it happens.” These concerns emphasized the complexities involved in transitioning from a trade show sample to mass production.
New Leadership and Focus
Patel confirmed that Dr. Zahn “is no longer a part of the team,” and noted that Bettani paused production of blue cheese earlier this year. The company is now concentrating on scalable and profitable products, particularly mozzarella, which constitutes approximately 40% of the 14 billion lbs of cheese consumed annually in the U.S.
To achieve this, Bettani will utilize a proprietary plant-based protein, ‘Caseed,’ designed to replicate casein’s melting and stretching qualities. Patel emphasizes the importance of this protein in creating dairy-free cheeses that provide a satisfying culinary experience.
Strategic Product Expansion
Patel elaborated, “We shifted our focus in January to target product segments where we can achieve scalable profitability. Our Caseed protein shines in mozzarella, jack, cheddar, and feta applications.” He asserts that the ingredients for Caseed are sustainable and regenerative, ensuring a reliable supply chain.
Technical Leap and Future Prospects
To produce plant-based casein, Bettani must isolate and functionalize storage proteins from seeds and legumes, although specifics on the crops were not disclosed. Patel expressed confidence in their ability to create high-quality products at scale, stating, “Based on numerous production trials over the past year, I am confident we can produce large quantities profitably and provide a compelling market value proposition.”
Capital Boost and Team Expansion
Bettani Farms is now in “growth mode” with the influx of $6.5 million in new capital from S2G Investments. Patel explained the importance of strengthening their team, stating, “While we plan to remain lean, we have enhanced our R&D, sales, and manufacturing teams.” He welcomed experienced talent such as Rajiv Dave, Tom Zilligen, and Maxwell Brown to lead key areas of the company.
The Road Ahead
Regarding its ongoing partnership with Bel Group, Patel affirmed their collaborative discussions, saying, “Bel Group remains a supportive investor.” With Bettani’s leadership and vision redirected towards accessible and appealing dairy-free cheeses, the future looks promising.
Further Reading
For those interested in the sector, here are some articles worth exploring:
