Foreverland has raised €6 million in new funding as it looks to expand its cocoa-free chocolate alternative across European markets. The Italian foodtech company said the round brings its total capital raised to €9.4 million, with both existing and new investors participating.
The round includes follow-on investment from Kost Capital and Maia Ventures, alongside new backing from CDP Venture Capital through its Accelerator Fund and Italia Venture II Fund, the Linfa agrifoodtech fund managed by Riello Investimenti SGR, and Newtree Impact.
The company plans to use the funding to support its commercial expansion across Europe, with a focus on strengthening relationships with confectionery manufacturers in Germany, France and Italy. It is also recruiting senior commercial leaders with experience in global cocoa and chocolate supply chains.
Foreverland produces Choruba, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from locally sourced Mediterranean ingredients including carob. The product is designed for industrial use, offering manufacturers an option that reduces exposure to volatility in cocoa prices and supply constraints.
The company recently achieved IFS Food certification at its production facility in Puglia, Italy. The certification confirms compliance with internationally recognised standards for food safety and quality, supporting its ability to supply at industrial scale.
“This round validates our execution, not just as a foodtech innovator, but as a reliable industrial partner for confectionery manufacturers,” said Massimo Sabatini, Co-founder and CEO of Foreverland. “With IFS Food certification in place and demand accelerating, we’re scaling commercial growth across Europe, strengthening key partnerships, and bringing in senior talent from the cocoa and chocolate industry to support manufacturers at scale.”
The Puglia facility processes regional raw materials into cocoa-free ingredients suitable for high-volume manufacturing. The company said this positioning allows it to align with established production requirements while offering an alternative input for confectionery products.
Pressure on global cocoa supply chains has increased in recent years due to climate-related impacts, crop disease and price fluctuations. This has prompted manufacturers to look more closely at ingredient diversification and supply resilience, particularly in large-scale production.
Foreverland’s approach focuses on integrating into existing manufacturing systems rather than targeting direct-to-consumer markets. Its business model centres on supplying ingredients to established brands and producers.
Alongside its core conventional product line, the company is also entering the organic segment with a dedicated organic version of Choruba. Foreverland said it believes it is currently the only producer offering an organic cocoa-free chocolate alternative at industrial scale.
Several products featuring organic Choruba are already available in Italy and France, according to the company. The move reflects increased interest in organic ingredients within European food markets, alongside regulatory and consumer focus on sourcing and production standards.
“We have great confidence in Foreverland’s team and their ability to respond to a systemic challenge through innovative, effective and sustainable solutions to become a leader in the international alternative-chocolate market”, said Alessandro Scortecci, Direct Investments Director of CDP Venture Capital.
Investors pointed to the company’s ability to move from product development into industrial production as a key factor in the funding round. This includes its progress in meeting certification requirements and establishing manufacturing capacity.
“At Linfa we invest in teams transforming the food value chain through scalable and commercially sound innovation.” said Marco Gaiani, Founding Partner, Linfa. “Foreverland exemplifies this thesis perfectly, demonstrating that cocoa-free alternatives can bridge sustainability, scale and commercial potential. That’s how you create systemic change and emerge as a category leader in agrifoodtech.”
Existing investors also reaffirmed their support, citing the company’s operational delivery since its earlier funding rounds.
“Following our initial investment, we have seen Foreverland execute with discipline and clarity,” said Andrea Galassi, Founding Partner, Maia Ventures. “Our decision to reinvest reflects our continued conviction in the team’s ability to develop future-proof ingredients and build the industrial credibility that manufacturers demand.”
The alternative chocolate category is still emerging, with companies testing different raw materials and processing methods to replicate the taste, texture and functionality of cocoa-based products. Scaling production while maintaining consistency remains a central challenge for manufacturers entering this space.
Foreverland’s strategy places emphasis on compatibility with existing industrial processes. By supplying ingredients that can be integrated into current production lines, the company aims to reduce barriers to adoption among established confectionery producers.
The latest funding will support both commercial and operational growth as the company expands its presence across the European Union. This includes increasing production capacity, building partnerships and extending its product offering.
As it grows, Foreverland is positioning itself within a broader shift in the food sector, where manufacturers are assessing supply chain risks alongside environmental and sourcing considerations. Ingredient alternatives are becoming part of this discussion, particularly in categories linked to agricultural volatility.
With new capital in place and certified production infrastructure established, the company is focusing on scaling its conventional offering while developing its presence in the organic segment.
