The Bland Company: Revolutionizing Egg Replacement with Plant Proteins

UK-based startup The Bland Company has successfully raised $2.67 million in funding. This capital will be utilized to enhance their technology aimed at transforming agricultural side streams into highly functional soluble proteins, which can act as effective substitutes for eggs across various applications.

Funding Details

The pre-seed round was spearheaded by Initialized Capital, along with contributions from Entrepreneur First, Transpose Platform, Behind Genius Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Vento.

Industry Impact

Initialized Capital partner Zoe Perret commented, “Functional proteins are a massive supply-chain bottleneck, and whoever builds the replacement becomes the backbone of modern food manufacturing.” She emphasized the innovative approach taken by the cofounders, Yash Khandelwal and Micol Hafez, merging scientific rigor with a platform that outperforms traditional egg-white proteins. This combination is fueling rapid commercial interest and highlighting The Bland Company as a significant player in food infrastructure.

The Egg Replacement Challenge

Despite the presence of various egg alternatives in the market, a comprehensive solution has yet to emerge. Current egg proteins derived from precision fermentation often entail high capital and operational expenditures. Alternatives such as Rubisco-based solutions require costly processing technologies, while mung-bean options are more suited for specific applications like scrambled eggs rather than baked goods.

Additionally, many existing alternatives necessitate a cocktail of ingredients, including starches and hydrocolloids, to achieve the desired results. Khandelwal states, “Existing solutions either lack performance or come at a price point that blocks significant scale.”

With fluctuating egg prices driven by factors such as avian flu outbreaks and seasonality, Khandelwal highlights the growing demand for stable and cost-effective alternatives. “Eggs are a procurement nightmare,” he explains, referencing the recent 2–3x price fluctuations over the past 18 months.

The Innovative Solution

The Bland Company utilizes a proprietary biochemical process to convert agricultural side streams into functional proteins without requiring advanced equipment. Khandelwal, a biochemist, partnered with Hafez to launch the startup in 2024.

Currently, trials are underway with major consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies in the US and Europe for various applications, such as baked goods. This platform boasts three primary advantages:

• Multi-functionality: Highly soluble proteins that can foam, bind, and emulsify.
• Cost Efficiency: Compatibility with existing infrastructure reduces the need for new investment.
• Feedstock Flexibility: The platform is agnostic to feedstock sources.

Plug and Play Approach

Khandelwal stresses the economic benefits of plant-derived proteins for egg replacement, stating that while they often lack the appropriate protein structure, advancements in protein science can enhance their functionality. “If we could achieve emulsification, foaming, binding, and solubility from these proteins, we could minimize the need for additional ingredients,” he asserts.

The Bland Company is currently exploring various agricultural byproducts, including those from rice and pasta production, to maximize protein function through clean-label processes that are adaptable to existing plant protein infrastructure.

Building a Sustainable Business Model

As a protein science company, The Bland Company collaborates with agricultural commodity producers and finished goods manufacturers to explore valuable side streams. Khandelwal notes, “Many existing side streams are cost centers. We can help them develop biorefineries to create multiple revenue streams.”

The firm is also in discussions with consultants to better understand the regulatory landscape surrounding their proteins, aiming to create a diverse library of solutions for various challenges in the food industry.

The Road Ahead

Raising funds for novel ideas can prove challenging, but Khandelwal is optimistic, stating, “Investors recognize we are addressing a genuine pain point in the food sector.” He believes the company can achieve pricing parity with eggs, with the potential to significantly undercut traditional prices.

In summary, The Bland Company is poised to disrupt the food industry by providing a viable alternative to eggs, leveraging innovative protein science to address pressing supply chain issues and enhance food manufacturing processes.