Cano-ela

Based in the Dutch Food Valley, Cano-ela is a food-tech company established in 2020 that is focused on enhancing the utility of oil-rich seeds. The company originated from the PhD research of co-founder and CEO Juliana Romero Guzmán at Wageningen University, where she developed a more sustainable method for aqueous extraction of oleosomes, the natural oil-storing structures in seeds. Romero Guzmán's desire to create a more sustainable and healthier food system drove the company's foundation. She was joined by co-founder Alberto Niccolai in 2020, and Benjamin Maclean later joined as Chief Commercial Director in 2021.

Cano-ela operates on a business-to-business model, supplying ingredients to food production companies. The company's core business is centered around a proprietary processing technology that fractionates oil-rich seeds, like canola, into multiple high-value components, challenging traditional methods that primarily extract only the oil and leave behind less functional byproducts. This approach avoids significant nutrient loss, as conventional processing can result in a 40% loss of potential food ingredients to low-value animal feed. By utilizing a milder, water-based extraction process, Cano-ela avoids chemicals like hexane and reduces CO2 emissions.

The firm has developed a portfolio of three primary ingredients derived from canola seeds: Cano-cream, Cano-soluble, and Cano-fiber. Cano-cream serves as a natural emulsifier composed of directly extracted oleosomes, designed to replace refined oils, lecithins, and synthetic antioxidants in emulsion-based products. Cano-soluble is a pre-mix of soluble proteins and hydrocolloids, available in liquid or powder form, intended for use in products like meat substitutes and protein bars to replace soy or gluten-derived ingredients. Cano-fiber is an ingredient rich in insoluble dietary fiber, protein, and antioxidants, allowing food companies to improve the nutritional profile of their products with a clean label. These ingredients are positioned as natural pre-mixes that enable food producers to replace multiple synthetic or refined additives with a single, functional, plant-based alternative. In March 2025, Cano-ela secured €1.6 million in a funding round from investors including Oost NL, Value Factory Ventures, and Ecoseed to scale up its production, upgrade its pilot facility, and accelerate collaborations with food producers.

Keywords: food-tech, ingredient supplier, canola processing, plant-based ingredients, oleosome extraction, aqueous extraction, sustainable food production, clean label ingredients, natural emulsifiers, food ingredient development, B2B food ingredients, seed fractionation, value-added processing, food technology, alternative protein ingredients, dietary fiber, plant-based protein, food processing innovation, sustainable ingredients, upcycled ingredients