Perfat Technologies secures US$2.7M to scale healthy fat alternatives

By applying principles of material physics to food science, the company has developed the world’s first fiber-reinforced gelled vegetable oil.

FINLAND – Perfat Technologies, a Finnish food deep-tech company pioneering healthy and functional fat alternatives, has raised €2.5 million (approximately US$2.7 million) in a Series A financing round. 

The investment will be used to scale production, expand its team, and accelerate the commercial launch of its innovative lipid-based solutions, designed to replace harmful saturated and tropical fats without compromising taste or texture.

The round was co-led by Newtree Impact and Beyond Impact, with strong continued support from Nordic Science Investments, University of Helsinki Funds, and Big Idea Ventures, all reaffirming their confidence in Perfat’s vision to reshape the future of fats in food manufacturing.

Fats currently account for 20–35% of the average daily diet, but saturated fats, linked to cardiovascular diseases and other health issues, frequently exceed the limits recommended by the World Health Organization. 

With rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable ingredients, Perfat’s technology addresses a critical industry challenge: delivering fats that are both functional and nutritious while also environmentally sustainable.

At the heart of Perfat’s innovation is its proprietary oleogel technology, which transforms liquid vegetable oils into solid fats that behave like saturated fats. 

By applying principles of material physics to food science, the company has developed the world’s first fiber-reinforced gelled vegetable oil. 

This breakthrough offers manufacturers a clean-label alternative to butter, palm oil, and coconut oil, enabling them to reformulate products across bakery, confectionery, dairy, and plant-based foods without sacrificing flavor, texture, or performance.

Jyrki Lee-Korhonen, CEO of Perfat Technologies, described this financing as a significant milestone in the company’s journey.

“We aim to grow rapidly, transform the food industry, and create a healthier future for millions of consumers worldwide. For us, substituting traditional solid fats is not just about innovation, it’s about caring for people’s health, helping manufacturers adopt sustainable solutions, and reshaping the way the world thinks about fats,” he said.

Investors echoed this sentiment, underscoring Perfat’s potential to disrupt both health and sustainability landscapes. 

Benoît de Bruyn, Founding Partner at Newtree Impact, noted that “Palm oil remains one of the most pressing challenges for both human health and sustainability. Perfat stands out with a functional fat that is healthier, 80% less fat, up to 30% fewer calories, and added fibers, while adaptable to customer needs. This breakthrough technology fits squarely within our portfolio expertise.”

Sagar Tandon, Partner at Beyond Impact, highlighted Perfat’s platform potential in offering a kinder, cleaner, and healthier alternative to dairy and other animal-derived fats, which redefine the role of functional fats in our diets.

Adding to the vote of confidence, Marion Bazille, Investor Relations and European Portfolio Director at Big Idea Ventures, praised the company’s scalability. 

“Perfat has achieved a breakthrough technology delivering healthier fats that combine functionality, sustainability, and cost efficiency. Their product is market-ready today, with no additional regulatory hurdles, positioning the company to scale rapidly,” Bazille said.

As Perfat Technologies accelerates commercialization, the company is poised to become a key player in global food reformulation, offering the industry an opportunity to reduce reliance on harmful saturated fats while advancing sustainability goals.

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