catchfree, a Swiss company that produces produces plant-based seafood alternatives such as vegan prawns, fish burgers and fish bites has received $1.45 million that will allow it to scale its production capacities and launch its products in Switzerland in early summer 2025.
Founded in 2024 the company makes “seafood” from rice, soy protein, and algae hoping to take some of the pressure off of fishing stocks and offer an alternative to farmed fish. Initially, the products will be introduced in select restaurants and restaurant chains that have already conducted successful market tests. The next step will be expanding within the food-service sector, followed by entry into national wholesale distribution in fall 2025.
“Today’s environmentally conscious consumers want to enjoy healthier food – for themselves and for the planet. That’s exactly what catchfree offers: an alternative that is just as indulgent and versatile as traditional fish, but made from plant-based protein,” said Severin Eder, co-founder of catchfree. “Our products feature a minimalist ingredient list and a particularly gentle production process that preserves valuable nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids.”
The seed round was co-led by FortyOne Group and Stiftung Startfeld, with participation from industry and private investors as well as business angels.
“The plant-based seafood category is still in its early stages. While there are already numerous meat alternatives, high-quality plant-based seafood options remain scarce. We are closing this gap with catchfree,” explains Eduard Müller, co-founder of the company.
