Plant-based start-up Tiba Tempeh has closed a £500,000 seed funding round in a bid to accelerate growth as it prepares for expand into supermarkets and international expansion.

The funding will be used to to launch new products, expand the tram and support marketing efforts.

The investment round was led by Lever VC, a global investor in the alternative protein category.

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Founded by in 2019 by Heinz veterans, Alex and Ross Longton, the brand is currently already stocked in Amazon, Selfridges, Planet Organic, Ocado, Whole Foods and The Vegan Kind.

The company has also grown its direct to consumer sales, foodservice channel and supplies to recipe box companies, which includes Mindful Chef.

“We are extremely excited about our partnership with Lever VC, which will accelerate our growth both in the UK and internationally,” Tiba Tempeh managing director Alex Longton said.

“Lever VC’s expertise in the sector will add significant value to further scale the business and help us on our mission to create a healthier world by inspiring people to eat more naturally healthy and sustainable plant-based foods.”

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