Objective
VIVICI is transforming the future of protein with precision fermentation, addressing the urgent need for sustainable, scalable alternatives to animal-derived nutrition. Traditional dairy protein production is environmentally intensive, contributing to 15% of global GHG emissions and consuming vast land and water resources. Meanwhile, plant-based proteins are interior in taste, functionality, and nutritional completeness.
VIVICI offers a breakthrough solution: precision fermentation-derived beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), identical in structure and performance to its bovine counterpart, but produced without animals.
Founded in 2022, VIVICI assets and achievements include proprietary microbial strains, scalable fermentation (up to 120 m3), and novel downstream processes to deliver Vivitein BLG. Our downstream processing employs chromatography-free high-moisture precipitation (HMP) techniques, preserving protein integrity and reducing production costs. Structural analyses confirm that our BLG matches the tertiary and quaternary structures of its bovine counterpart, ensuring functional equivalence. Functionally, Vivitein BLG demonstrates superior solubility, emulsification, and heat stability (>30 minutes at 140°C), making it suitable for integration into various food matrices.
Having validated production at 75 m3 scale (TRL 7) and initiated 120 m3 tech transfer, VIVICI targets a cost reduction to €10/kg by 2028. EIC support will enable completion of EU Novel Food safety dossiers, scale-up to industrial fermentation, and commercial launch on the European protein market. Our innovation advances the EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork, and Bioeconomy strategies, and positions Europe as a global leader in sustainable food innovation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences animal and dairy science dairy
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.3.1.2 - The Accelerator
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2026-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2342 DH Leiden
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.