OLALA!

OLALA! Foods, a French food technology startup established in 2021 by co-founders François Wolff and Simon Ferniot, is making its mark in the plant-based food sector. The company has positioned itself to address the growing demand for sustainable food alternatives by developing a new generation of plant-based seafood. Wolff brings a wealth of experience from his time at Danone, while Ferniot's background includes work at l'Oréal and the founding of an insect protein bar company, which gives the leadership team a solid foundation in the food and consumer goods industries.

The business operates with a clear focus on creating plant-based products that replicate the taste and texture of conventional seafood, aiming to appeal to a broad consumer base, including flexitarians, vegetarians, and environmentally-conscious foodies. Their go-to-market strategy involves partnerships with retailers to make their products widely accessible. Revenue is generated through the sale of these consumer-packaged goods.

OLALA!'s initial product line, which launched in French supermarkets such as Carrefour, consists of plant-based alternatives to salmon and tuna. These products are developed using a combination of algae and other plant-based proteins to mimic the sensory experience and nutritional profile of fish, providing a source of Omega-3s, fiber, and proteins. A significant milestone for the company was securing a €1 million pre-seed funding round in 2022 to fuel its research and development and support its commercial launch.

Keywords: plant-based seafood, foodtech, alternative proteins, vegan fish, sustainable food, CPG, food manufacturing, algae-based, retail food, French startup