Foreverland Raises €6M for Cocoa-Free Chocolate Innovation

Italian FoodTech innovator Foreverland has successfully closed a €6 million funding round, propelling its ambitious European expansion plans for its novel cocoa-free chocolate alternative, Choruba. This latest infusion of capital brings the company's total funding to over €9.4 million, underscoring significant investor confidence in its sustainable approach to a beloved global commodity.

The funding round saw robust participation from existing backers Kost Capital and Maia Ventures, alongside strategic new investments from CDP Venture Capital (through its Accelerator Fund and Italia Venture II Fund), the agrifoodtech-focused Linfa agrifoodtech fund managed by Riello Investimenti SGR, and Newtree Impact. This diverse investor base highlights a shared vision for disrupting the traditional chocolate supply chain.

Massimo Sabatini, co-founder and CEO of Foreverland, emphasized the strategic importance of this funding. "This capital validates our operational execution and our position as a dependable industrial partner for the confectionery sector," Sabatini stated. "With our IFS Food certification secured and market demand on an upward trajectory, we are now poised to accelerate commercial growth across Europe, solidify key industry collaborations, and integrate seasoned talent from the cocoa and chocolate industry to support large-scale manufacturing needs."

Founded in 2022, Foreverland addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities and the growing consumer demand for clean-label products by developing alternatives to essential ingredients like cocoa. Their flagship product, Choruba, crafted from resilient Mediterranean crops such as carob, aims to replicate the sensory experience of chocolate while significantly reducing its environmental footprint. The company reports that Choruba production utilizes up to 90% less water and emits up to 83% less CO2 compared to conventional chocolate, without compromising on taste or functionality.

Foreverland's production facility in Italy, now IFS certified, processes locally sourced ingredients into its innovative chocolate alternative, available in chips, drops, and liquid forms. The plant boasts a production capacity of 500 tonnes annually. This capability allows confectionery manufacturers to mitigate risks associated with volatile cocoa prices and supply chain disruptions. The company is also expanding its offerings with an organic Choruba line, positioning itself as a unique industrial-scale provider of organic, cocoa-free alternatives in a market increasingly focused on sustainability and ethical sourcing.

The newly acquired funds will be instrumental in accelerating Foreverland's market penetration across Europe, with a strategic focus on strengthening relationships with major confectionery firms in Germany, France, and Italy. The company also plans to recruit experienced commercial leaders from established global cocoa and chocolate manufacturers. This strategic expansion follows a successful €3.4 million Seed funding round completed in 2024, indicating a consistent growth trajectory for the innovative FoodTech startup.