MUU, Thailand’s first animal-free dairy biotech startup, has secured strategic investment from A2D Ventures, Leave a Nest Japan, and another leading Japanese food conglomerate.

This funding will accelerate MUU’s mission to transform the dairy industry through precision fermentation, offering sustainable, ethical, and healthier dairy alternatives for
Southeast Asia and beyond, MUU said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company has also signed an memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lotte Fine Chemical, a strategic move that could unlock future distribution channels and deep market insights.

MUU has also received sample requests from major coffee chains and F&B producers across Thailand, Singapore, and Japan, validating the demand for its animal-free dairy solution.

Backed by leading investors and innovation platforms, MUU plans to scale across Asia and expand globally.

Founded by an ex-Chevron engineer, a former TikTok marketing leader, and a PhD scientist with global research experience, MUU is a Bangkok-based pioneering food-tech company driven to transform the dairy industry through its innovative animal-free milk protein production.

Using precision fermentation, the firm produces bioidentical milk proteins that replicate the taste, enabling everything from coffee, to ice-cream and chocolate, and the nutritional value of cow’s milk, without involving animals.

Its milk proteins are lactose-free, cholesterol-free, hormone- and antibiotic-free, and produced without animal cruelty.

Compared to conventional dairy, the process uses 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, land, and water, making it one of the most environmentally friendly dairy solutions on the market.

The firm innovation is built on a four-stage process: strain development, fermentation, purification, and formulation.

The resulting milk proteins deliver the same functional and sensory properties as dairy from cows, all without the environmental and ethical costs.

The firm is also answering rising consumer demand for dairy alternatives that don’t compromise on taste, nutrition, or values.

With strong research and development (R&D) partnerships, early corporate traction, and a clear path to market, the firm said it is set to redefine what dairy means in Asia —and pave the way for a more sustainable food future.

MUU has attracted a diverse set of strategic investors including a well-known Japanese food conglomerate – a global leader in food and biotechnology; A2D Ventures, Southeast Asia’s leading early-stage venture capital and angel platform; Glocalink Singapore and Leave a Nest Capital – experts in science-driven startup ecosystems; Brinc, a global venture accelerator with a focus on food innovation.

“MUU is uniquely positioned at the intersection of food, biotech, and climate impact,

“Their vision of animal-free dairy for Asia is bold, timely, and deeply needed, given 80% of Asians are lactose intolerant—and their team has the chops to pull it off,” said Ankit Upadhyay, General Partner at A2D Ventures.

Dr. Yukihiro Maru, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Leave a Nest Group, said MUU’s vision of revolutionizing dairy through biotechnology aligns perfectly with the firm’s
mission to advance deep tech for global sustainability.

“Their precision fermentation platform addresses the health, environmental, and ethical challenges of traditional dairy, while paving the way for a more secure and sustainable food future,

“We’re proud to support MUU as they lead Asia’s shift toward animal-free dairy,” he added.

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