Oobli and Ingredion Announce Partnership as Demand for Sweet Proteins Accelerates

Core Insights - Oobli has successfully closed an $18 million Series B1 funding round, with new investors including Ingredion Ventures, Lever VC, and Sucden Ventures joining existing investors [5] - Oobli has partnered with Ingredion to enhance access to healthier sweetener systems, combining natural sweeteners like stevia with Oobli's sweet proteins [1][2] - The partnership aims to innovate in the sugar reduction space, leveraging sweet proteins to create better-for-you sweeteners for various food and beverage applications [3] Company Overview - Oobli is the first company globally to develop a sweet protein platform, focusing on replacing sugar in food and beverages with proteins that have no glycemic impact [7] - Oobli's sweet proteins are produced via fermentation, making them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sugar sources [7] - Ingredion, a leading global ingredient solutions provider, reported annual net sales of approximately $7.4 billion in 2024, serving customers in over 120 countries [8] Regulatory Developments - Oobli has received FDA GRAS "no questions" letters for two of its sweet proteins, monellin and brazzein, confirming their safety for use in food and beverage products [4] - The company has four proteins with self-affirmed FDA GRAS status and one with FDA FEMA GRAS status, positioning it as a leader in the sweet protein market [7] Product Development - Oobli and Ingredion have tested several co-developed products, receiving positive consumer feedback, which has led to the partnership [3] - The two companies plan to unveil new sweet treats at the Future Food Tech event in San Francisco on March 13-14, 2025 [3]