About us
Inspired by the mission to grow more sustainable plant-based proteins locally, Protealis aims to harvest the full potential of legume crops. With innovative breeding technologies and proprietary seed coatings, Protealis is creating new opportunities for European farmers to help overcome Europe’s protein deficit and meet the rising demand for meat and dairy substitutes among consumers and the food sector. Protealis started in April 2021 as a spin-off of the VIB (Flemish Biotech Institute) and ILVO (Institute of Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research). Today, Protealis is a commercial-stage company with several early maturity 000 group soy varieties on market. The company is located in the biotechnology cluster in Ghent, Belgium.
Memberships
Protealis is an active member of several networks, including Seed@bel and Donau Soja Organisation.
Since 2022, we have been working together for a sustainable, safe and European protein supply.
Team
Protealis was founded by Benjamin Laga and Jonas Aper. As former Global Head for Plant Biotech Research at BASF, Protealis’ CEO Benjamin Laga brings more than 20 years of international seed business and innovation experience. Jonas Aper has been in charge of the soy breeding program at ILVO since its inception in 2013 and is Protealis’ current Director of Breeding.
Protealis today consists of an enthusiastic team of scientists and industry experts. Everyday we work passionately to bring value to farmers while doing what is right for our environment.
Protealis is supported by an experienced board of directors. Chairman David Buckeridge is a well-known veteran in the seed industry. As the former CEO of Advanta Seeds (at the time the worlds’ 5th largest seed company) he led the company to a successful exit. After his time at the helm of Advanta he has been active in the field of private equity for Food and Agriculture with Paine Schwartz and has held and still holds several advisory and board positions in biotech, life science and agtech companies.
Broad investor syndicate
The series A financing round of EUR 12.0 million was completed in 2021 with the support of V-Bio Ventures, Innovation Industries, Agri Investment Fund (AIF), Korys, Participatie-maatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), Estari Group, Globachem Group, Thia Ventures, HFT holding, Gemma Frisius Fund and VIB. In January 2024, a series B financing round of EUR 22.0 million was announced, fully backed by the existing investor base.
Speed breeding - yellow pea
A view on our yellow pea program
Speed breeding - soy
A view on our soy program
Microbiology
We developed a unique technology to coat live N-fixing bacteria on soybean seeds and are conducting further research on N-fixing Rhizobium bacteria strains that remain biologically active even in the temperate Western European climate.
CEO Benjamin Laga
Location: speed breeding facilities in Gavere, Belgium
Seeding
Seeding pots
Imaging technology with drones
Drone imaging technology enables automated field data collection and remote sensing to maximize genetic gain per breeding cycle