At the recent F&A Next event, Invest International hosted a session titled How to Finance Your International Scale-Up Activities, featuring three of our clients: OneThird, Proeon Foods, and Protix. These companies shared their experiences, challenges, and key learnings from working with Invest International.
Tackling food waste with AI: OneThird’s global expansion
Henrike Langbroek, CEO of OneThird, introduced the company’s mission to tackle food waste using AI-driven shelf life prediction for fresh produce. OneThird’s cutting-edge technology leverages near-infrared scanning and AI to predict shelf life in real-time, optimizing supply chains and reducing food waste. For example, their avocado scanner, available at select Jumbo supermarkets, helps consumers determine the ripeness of their avocados.
Invest International led OneThird’s equity round with a €2 million investment, enabling the Enschede-based company to scale operations, expand internationally, and develop new products. This partnership reflects Invest International’s commitment to supporting solutions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. Henrike emphasized the collaborative nature of the relationship:
“Our experience working with Invest International is that it’s not a client relationship but a partnership.”
She also highlighted the ongoing guidance and involvement provided by Invest International throughout their journey.
Scaling plant-based proteins: Proeon foods in India
Kevin Parekh, Co-founder of Proeon Foods, shared the company’s work in developing next-generation plant-based protein ingredients from peanuts and mung beans. Operating from Delft Biotech Campus, Proeon is addressing the growing demand for cleaner, more sustainable protein sources with applications in protein sufficiency, supplements, and egg replacement.
Invest International supported Proeon with a start-up loan, helping the company bridge the gap between proven R&D and scalable commercial production in Pune, India. The project not only fosters local job creation—including employment opportunities for women—but also strengthens the Netherlands’ position in the global foodtech value chain. Kevin reflected on the role of ESG standards:
“ESG requirements are a lot for small companies, but it provides direction for the company, and it helps a lot with future fund-raising efforts.”
Circular protein solutions: Protix expands to South Korea
Stijn Harms, Director of Projects & Technology at Protix, presented the company’s innovative approach to upcycling food waste into insect-based proteins for animal and aquaculture feed. Using black soldier fly larvae, Protix transforms food waste streams into high-quality proteins, oils, and natural fertilizers. In South Korea, Protix is collaborating with local partners to build a fully circular facility capable of upcycling up to 130,000 tons of food waste annually.
To support this international expansion, Invest International provided €1 million in development capital to explore the feasibility of building the facility in South Korea—a type of early-stage financing rarely offered by commercial banks for capital-intensive, high-risk projects. Stijn emphasized:
“It’s always difficult to find funding for these types of activities. Development capital from Invest International was really the right fit.”
From early funding to follow-up financing
One of the key messages during the session was that initial funding can open the door to follow-up financing. As Catrijn Schipper, Investment Manager from Invest International explained:
“If you are able to repay start-up and scale-up funding, you also increase your chances to qualify for follow-up financing from Invest International.”
When for example development capital is provided in an early stage, it often creates a natural pathway for future debt or equity financing:
“It’s a logical next step to take the opportunity.”
This approach allows Invest International to continue supporting companies as they mature, helping them grow through various stages of international expansion.
Financing growth beyond borders
The session at F&A Next highlighted the critical role of strategic financing in enabling international scale-up activities. The experiences of OneThird, Proeon Foods, and Protix demonstrate how, with the right financial backing and guidance, Dutch start-ups and scale-ups can successfully navigate the complexities of global expansion. Invest International remains committed to empowering these companies to achieve their international growth ambitions.
Are you a startup or scale-up working on agri-tech innovations and aiming to grow internationally?
