Heüra

Heura Foods, legally registered as Foods for Tomorrow, is a Barcelona-based food-technology company operating in the plant-based protein market. Founded in April 2017 by food activists Marc Coloma and Bernat Añaños, the company originated from their social activism for animal rights, evolving into a mission-driven enterprise to create a more sustainable food system. The founders' journey began in a co-working space, initially serving a single local business in Barcelona before expanding significantly.

The company's business model encompasses both retail (B2C) and food service (B2B) channels, with retail accounting for approximately 70% of its business. Heura's products are available in over 22,000 points of sale across more than 20 countries, including major European markets like Spain, France, Italy, and the UK. The company generates revenue through the sale of its plant-based meat and fish alternatives to consumers via supermarkets and to the hospitality sector (Horeca). For the fiscal year 2023, Heura reported a turnover of €38.3 million, a 22% increase from the previous year, driven by a 63% rise in international sales. Looking forward, the firm plans to achieve profitability by 2025 and is introducing a B2B licensing division to make its proprietary technology accessible to other food industry players.

Heura's product portfolio includes plant-based alternatives to chicken, beef, pork, and fish, all derived from non-GMO legumes such as soy. A key differentiator is the company's focus on a Mediterranean culinary heritage, utilizing ingredients like extra virgin olive oil to create products with clean labels and high nutritional value. The company has developed and patented a proprietary thermo-mechanical technology that structures plant proteins and lipids without the need for additives. This process of mixing legume-based flour with water and applying specific levels of heat, pressure, and humidity creates a fibrous texture similar to animal meat. A notable achievement using this technology is the additive-free, York-style ham slices, which became a top-selling product in Spain shortly after its launch. The company is expanding its technological applications beyond meat substitutes to categories like cheese, snacks, and pasta, with plans to file additional patents.

The company has successfully raised significant capital to fuel its growth, including a Series A round of €16 million and a Series B round in 2023 that secured €40 million from investors like Upfield, Unovis Asset Management, and the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund. This funding is directed towards achieving profitability, expanding internationally, and further developing its technologies. Keywords: plant-based meat, food-tech, Marc Coloma, Bernat Añaños, Heura Foods, plant-based protein, meat alternatives, sustainable food, vegan products, food technology, alternative proteins, Mediterranean diet, clean label, plant-based chicken, plant-based beef, plant-based pork, food service, Horeca, retail food products, Series B, Upfield, Unovis Asset Management, European Circular Bioeconomy Fund, thermo-mechanical technology