Nanimale

Nanimale AG, a Zurich-based company established on August 31, 2021, specializes in the production and distribution of plant-based ice cream. The company was founded by a team with roots in the local gastronomy and startup scene, including individuals with prior experience in the gelato business, such as Daniel Bertozzi and Stephan Glattfelder, co-founders of Gelati Bertozzi, and Benedikt Hess, co-founder of the ViCafe coffee chain. The founders' journey included traveling to Italy and Germany to learn the craft of ice cream making, which they brought back to Switzerland. This shared passion for high-quality gelato and a desire to create a vegan product without additives led to the formation of Nanimale in the spring of 2022.

The company operates in the food production sector, focusing on creating gelato and sorbets that are 100% vegan and free from artificial additives, using natural ingredients. Nanimale's business model encompasses both direct-to-consumer sales and retail distribution. It operates its own gelateria in Zurich, which opened in June 2023 and features an extensive range of flavors. Additionally, its products are sold through various retail channels, including major supermarket chains like Migros, online retailers such as Farmy, and numerous food service locations and convenience stores like Coop Pronto and Valora. The business generates revenue through the sale of its ice cream products across these different channels. To finance its growth, particularly for pre-financing production and expanding its product line to include items like ice cream bars and cones, Nanimale conducted a successful equity crowdfunding campaign in 2023, raising CHF 733,000 from 447 investors.

Nanimale's core product is a range of vegan gelati designed to replicate the creamy texture and taste of traditional dairy-based ice cream. The development process involved about six months of experimentation with plant fibers to achieve a desirable consistency without an aftertaste. The company emphasizes its commitment to natural ingredients and artisanal production methods at its manufactory in Oerlikon. This dedication to quality has been recognized, with the brand winning gold, silver, and bronze awards at a tasting event hosted by the Swiss Vegan Society. The company, which operates under the registered trademarks NANIMALE and NANIMALE GELATI, aims to become a leading name in the Swiss vegan ice cream market by offering a high-quality, ethically produced alternative.

Keywords: vegan ice cream, plant-based gelato, Swiss food startup, gelato manufactory, direct-to-consumer food, retail food products, food production, crowdfunding, natural ingredients, vegan desserts, Zurich, artisanal ice cream, sorbet, food and beverage, specialty foods, plant-based food, sustainable food, gastronomy, e-commerce food, dairy-free