Proteine Resources, the creator of an innovative technology for producing alternative protein, has raised €9.5 million in funding from a deep tech accelerator. This will enable the company to expand its production capacity tenfold by building the first autonomous production platform of its kind, supported by artificial intelligence.
Proteine Resources’ product is based on production residues from large-scale mushroom cultivation, primarily white button mushrooms. Using a patented biotechnological process, the company transforms these residues into high-quality protein — a functional additive for pet nutrition.
The Polish company has also developed and is preparing for broad commercialization the world’s first scalable beef alternative, produced at 50% lower costs. This startup plans to offer veterinary-grade supplements and nutritional additives for pets.
Proteine Resources secured €9.5 million in mixed funding (grant + equity investment) through the prestigious EIC Accelerator program (EICA, Horizon Europe). It is only the 9th Polish company to receive this type of support, and in 2025, only about 4% of applicants accepted to the program have received such funding. The EIC Accelerator, often compared to the US Y Combinator, focuses heavily on deep tech solutions.
“EIC Accelerator is where deep tech takes flight. To become an investment target here, you must pass a lengthy evaluation process scrutinized by a large panel of experts. For our team, this confirms that we are building something truly groundbreaking,” says Bartłomiej Roszkowski, co-founder of Proteine Resources and Y Combinator alumnus.
Premium Pet Food with Minimal CO2 Emissions
Proteine Resources creates functional, high-performance proteins tailored to pets’ health, digestibility, and taste preferences, emphasizing sustainable development. The company uses an AI-controlled, easily scalable proprietary mycelium bioconversion platform — the largest and most valuable part of mushrooms wasted during cultivation (notably white button mushrooms). Proteine Resources converts this into top-quality insect protein through a complex, repeatable process.
“Our patented technology enables an AI-driven autonomous process that transfers and accumulates the full medicinal richness of mushrooms inside insect ‘micro bioreactors,’” explains Konrad Włodarczyk, founder of Proteine Resources and creator of the technology.
The protein produced is rich in highly bioavailable taurine and L-arginine — key amino acids vital for cats and active pets. These compounds support immune system balance, coat and skin condition, and reduce allergy occurrences. Soon, they will be ingredients in pet foods and supplements. Moreover, producing this high-quality beef-class protein emits nearly 100 times less CO2 compared to traditional beef production.
“We provide ingredients with real, verified functional properties: protein concentrates, active ingredients, prebiotics, vitamins, supplements, and additives. This is the essence of our biotech DNA,” emphasizes Bartłomiej Roszkowski.
Crucially, Proteine Resources’ finished product is highly palatable, even to cats, known for their reluctance to accept alternative protein sources.
Scaling and Decentralizing Production
With €9.5 million from EICA, Proteine Resources plans to build a pilot plant ten times larger near Siedlce (Podlaskie Voivodeship) and subsequently launch the world’s first fully autonomous insect protein factory. The expanded facility will produce up to 100 tons annually. Proteine Resources aims to develop a modular, energy-efficient production architecture scalable anywhere with access to agricultural waste. The funding will also commercialize the company’s proprietary 1:1 functional beef alternative for the premium pet food segment.
“Our integrated AI-based automation and control systems will significantly reduce operating costs and enable decentralized production. This will transform sustainable protein development, allowing mass production and gaining support from premium pet product manufacturers,” promises Konrad Włodarczyk, founder and co-CEO.
Circularity and Easy Scaling
The core of Proteine Resources’ production cycle is circularity and striving for true zero emissions. According to the company’s analysis, larger mushroom producers spend up to €80,000 annually on disposing of stems and mycelium. Proteine’s technology turns this cost into revenue. Its production method eliminates waste management costs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and environmental contamination risks, and involves local farmers in a circular food revolution.
“We help turn a problem into a profit source. And we do it scalably, measurably, and with zero emissions. In the EU alone, up to 6.5 million tons of mushroom waste is generated annually, with disposal currently costly and cumbersome,” says Bartłomiej Roszkowski.
Recognition from Investors and Deep Tech Experts
Proteine Resources is supported by SMOK Ventures and Bitspiration Booster VC funds. Experts praise the company’s rare combination of sustainable and aggressively scalable biotechnology.
“What Proteine has built is not just a product but a scalable platform. It transforms one of agriculture’s biggest environmental challenges into a scalable biotech business — a rarity,” highlights Borys Musielak, managing partner at SMOK Ventures.
“Sustainable yet aggressively scalable biotech is a rare mix. Proteine’s model combines everything important: circularity, autonomy, and global solution multiplication,” adds Andrzej Targosz, partner at Bitspiration Booster.
