Rival Foods
Rival Foods is a Dutch food-tech scale-up that develops and commercializes plant-based whole-cut meat alternatives. Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from Wageningen University & Research, the company focuses on recreating the texture, mouthfeel, juiciness, and versatility of animal meat using plant proteins and a proprietary production process. The company serves B2B customers across foodservice, retail, and food brands in Europe. It positions itself as a next-generation alternative to conventional plant-based products such as burgers and minced meat, emphasizing whole-cut formats, clean-label formulations, and high culinary performance for professional kitchens and retail applications. Core Values Clean label : Rival Foods emphasizes short ingredient lists, with products made from only a few recognizable ingredients and without artificial additives, binders, or soy isolates. Taste and texture without compromise : The company’s products are designed to closely mimic the bite, juiciness, and mouthfeel of meat while remaining plant-based. Sustainability : Rival Foods frames its mission around offering more sustainable alternatives to meat for people, animals, and the planet. Nutrition and quality : Its products are positioned as high-protein, minimally processed options that meet professional culinary standards. Unique Aspects Patented Shear Cell Technology : Rival Foods uses a proprietary, patented process that restructures plant proteins into fiber-rich, layered textures that resemble muscle tissue. Whole-cut focus : Unlike many plant-based brands centered on burgers or mince, Rival Foods specializes in whole-cut formats such as filet, chunks, pulled products, and steak-like applications. Scaled manufacturing in the Netherlands : The company opened its own production site in Geldrop and received FSSC 22000 food safety certification, supporting commercial-scale output. Backed by major investors : In 2025, Rival Foods raised €10 million in Series B funding led by APG on behalf of ABP, with participation from PYMWYMIC, ROM Utrecht Region, and existing investor PeakBridge. International retail partnership : Rival Foods co-launched a plant-based steak with THIS™ for UK supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Ocado.