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Dutch start-up Time-Travelling Milkman (TTM) has secured €2 million in Pre-Series A funding to accelerate the commercialisation of its Oleocream solution – an ingredient designed to enhance creaminess in plant-based and hybrid dairy products.

The food-tech company, founded in 2020 and based in Wageningen, has received backing from Sparkalis – the venture arm of Puratos – to support global expansion in premium bakery and patisserie categories, and Evercurious, a venture capital fund backing European early-stage deep-tech start-ups. The round also includes follow-on funding from Oost, a long-standing shareholder and regional development agency in the Netherlands.

With production scaled to 1,000 tonnes per year, TTM will use the capital to scale the commercial roll-out of Oleocream in the dairy and dairy alternatives market. With commercial trials underway and new product launches expected in the coming months, TTM hopes to ‘redefine creaminess’ in dairy and plant-based categories across Europe.

Oleocream is a clean label, allergen-free ingredient that is rich in unsaturated fats and highly compatible with high-heat processes, fermentation and low acidity applications. TTM describes it as a ‘breakthrough’ solution, designed to tackle three challenges for the alt-dairy and dairy categories: rising prices, ecological disruption and the ‘underwhelming’ taste experience of many plant-based alternatives.

According to the start-up, Oleocream can deliver creaminess at a fraction of the cost of dairy fat and lowers product emissions by more than 80%. It is made using a patented process that converts European sunflower seeds into functional ingredients.

Its development was propelled by rising consumer demand for healthier and less processed foods, as well as increasing pressure to transition away from tropical fats and toward more sustainable alternatives. It also aims to support the emergence of hybrid dairy, which combine plant-based ingredients with traditional dairy, as a fast-growing category.

TTM said consumers will soon enjoy Oleocream in products such as breakfast spreads, desserts and cream cheeses that feature shorter, cleaner and healthier ingredients lists.

Dimitris Karefyllakis, co-founder and managing director of TTM, said: “We’re seizing a rare opportunity in a sector where both investments and sales have stalled. “After years of optimization and scaling, we’re ready to deliver Oleocream at commercial volumes efficiently, consistently and affordably.”

Top image: © Time-Travelling Milkman