PARIS (Oct. 29, 2025) – The start-up Edonia is bringing the promise of algae-based protein food to life by partnering with Newrest, a leading player in collective catering founded by French entrepreneur Olivier Sadran. Through this partnership, Edonia seeks to offer a sustainable industrial solution that meets the expectations of institutions, lawmakers, and consumers regarding the shift toward more plant-based food.

A new milestone marking Edonia’s transition to industrial scale.

In just one year, Edonia has experienced very rapid growth. Its collaboration with Newrest is part of the industrialization phase of its flagship ingredient, EDO, a flavorful brown spirulina mince launched following its first funding round with Asterion Ventures in 2024.

Thanks to its fully operational industrial pilot site in France, supported by France 2030, and various European programs, Edonia has successfully scaled from lab to production and is now fulfilling its first partner orders. Amid growing global demand, the start-up has already pre-sold several thousand tons of its ingredient for the coming years, representing over €15 million in pre-contracted revenue with major agri-food groups.

With its process now patent-protected and the design of its production plant finalized, Edonia is reaching a new milestone in its industrial rollout. This partnership with Newrest further strengthens Edonia’s ambition: to become a leading industrial player in sustainable protein.

“In recent years, microalgae, widely recognized for their many benefits, have remained more of a promise than a reality in the food industry. With EDO, we aim to make them practical for manufacturers and appealing to consumers. We are moving forward with determination to promote more plant-based eating, offering a natural and accessible alternative, far from the ultra-processed products that mimic meat. By partnering with
Newrest, we want to accelerate this transition with a whole, ready-to-use, and highly nutritious ingredient”, says Hugo Valentin, CEO of Edonia

A partnership that meets the market’s regulatory requirements

As it scales its operations, Edonia is partnering with Newrest, a major player in collective catering. Actors in the food service industry are increasingly looking to enrich their menus with new alternative proteins that combine nutritional balance, taste, and variety on the plate. All easy to use in the kitchen and in line with the tight budgets of institutional catering. This is precisely the challenge that Edonia addresses. Thanks to its technology, the start-up transforms spirulina into a flavorful, soft-textured brown grain called EDO, capable of replacing ground meat while offering exceptional levels of protein, iron, and vitamins. Free from ultra-processing, extrusion, or additives, and with a low carbon footprint, EDO directly meets today’s nutritional, environmental, and regulatory challenges.

“This partnership with Edonia reflects our commitment to innovation and to supporting the dietary transition within our clients’ kitchens. Our teams were won over by EDO, an ingredient that is easy to work with, delicious, and naturally rich in nutrients, which integrates seamlessly into our recipes”, says Marc Giraud, Managing Director France at Newrest

France, the first testing ground for the kitchen of the future

The collaboration began in October 2025 in Normandy, at one of Newrest’s main central kitchens in France. Starting in November, the first large-scale service will deliver 10,000 meals across multiple collective catering sites.

Operating in 53 countries, Newrest serves over 2 million meals per day, employs 60,000 people worldwide, and generates €3.3 billion in revenue, a major partner that illustrates the potential impact of this collaboration.

Edonia now aims to accelerate its industrial scale-up and expand its reach among catering and agri-food professionals. With a Series A funding round planned for early 2026, the start-up intends to expand its position as a key European supplier in next-generation plant proteins, combining taste, nutritional performance, and sustainability.

Boilerplate

About Edonia A B2B ingredient company specializing in protein-based materials, Edonia has developed a unique technology that transforms microalgae into a super ingredient, a soft, flavorful brown grain that is 100% natural. The resulting ingredient, minimally processed, offers a nutrient-rich, plant-based alternative (high in protein, vitamins, and minerals) designed for food manufacturers and catering professionals. The start-up was co-founded with AgroParisTech Innovation in March 2023.