Nous, an Italian functional ingredient company, has closed a €2.315 million seed investment to advance the commercialization of Koncentra, its branded botanical ingredient targeting the energy, focus, and mood category in food, beverage, and nutraceutical applications. The round was led by dsm-firmenich Ventures, with participation from Accelera Ventures — through Eatable Adventures — and CDP Venture Capital through its Fondo Acceleratori, part of the National Accelerator Network’s foodtech program FoodSeed.
Koncentra is produced using Nous’ proprietary botanical extraction technology and has been assessed through a preliminary comparison with caffeine as well as a clinical study expected to be published by the end of 2026. The seed funding will be used to commission additional clinical studies, strengthen the ingredient’s scientific substantiation, and expand the supply chain across Europe and Asia. Nous has an existing commercial partnership with dsm-firmenich and is developing a broader network of commercial partners across Europe.
Each investor in the syndicate brings a distinct role to the partnership. dsm-firmenich Ventures will support claims substantiation and market validation as Koncentra advances toward commercial scale. Accelera Ventures and Eatable Adventures contribute foodtech sector expertise and market expansion support. CDP Venture Capital’s Fondo Acceleratori is focused on scaling Nous’ technological infrastructure and production capacity.
Looking ahead, Nous plans to launch Koncentra in the U.S. market in November 2026. By the end of 2027, the company targets publication of at least three clinical studies and annual production capacity of at least 60 tonnes of Koncentra. The company is also developing additional functional ingredients on its extraction platform and expanding its team with specialist hires to support international scaling.
KEY QUOTES:
“This investment is an important milestone for Nous as we move from scientific validation towards wider commercialisation. Support from investors with deep expertise in ingredients, foodtech and market scale-up gives us the resources to strengthen the scientific position of Koncentra, expand our supply chain, and build the next generation of functional ingredients.”
Lorenzo Pessini, Chief Executive Officer, Nous
“Our investment in Nous is fully aligned with the mission of Foodtech Accelerator, the foodtech program of CDP Venture Capital’s National Accelerator Network: supporting startups that combine scientific excellence, proprietary technology and a clear path to market adoption. Nous’ proprietary extraction platform and the clinical validation behind Koncentra provide a strong foundation for scalable growth while addressing relevant challenges for the food and health industries.”
José Luis Cabañero, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Eatable Adventures
“We decided to invest in Nous because we believe in the value of its proprietary extraction platform and in the science-based approach underpinning ingredients such as Koncentra. Its clinical validation and focus on natural approaches to energy and wellbeing align with strong and growing market trends. The team has demonstrated clear technical expertise and the ability to scale internationally. We therefore consider this a strategic investment to support high-impact innovations in the food and health sectors.”
Stefano Molino, Head of Fondo Acceleratori, CDP Venture Capital
