Fresh off a federal greenlight for a rival plant-based protein ingredient, startup Fudi Protein is accelerating plans to bring its own alfalfa-derived protein to market with a two-prong fundraising plan.
The Madison, Wisc.-based company is extracting Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, also known as Rubisco, from alfalfa farmed in Wisconsin, to replace egg whites in a variety of applications including protein bars and dairy alternatives.
The ingredient is similar to competitor Plantible Foods’ Rubisco derived from lemna, or duckweed, which recently received a coveted no questions letter from FDA for its self-determined Generally Recognized As Safe status.
“Rubisco is a complete protein with the functional performance of egg white. Alfalfa is already on 17 million American acres. We’ve optimized the extraction process in the lab, we’re scaling up and we’re doing it inside the existing farm economy rather than around it,” Udi Lazimy, CEO and co-founder, Fudi Protein, said in a statement. “That’s how you get cost-competitive protein to manufacturers who need it now.”
Ready to scale
Fudi is developing partnerships with alfalfa farmers and ready to launch its first manufacturing facility on a farm in Manitowoc, Wis.
The current round of fundraising would help pay for equipment needed to retrofit the facility for its first commercial operation, Lazimy explained.
“As long as we can raise the capital required to lease the equipment and then plug in our proprietary process, we can actually produce a much larger amount,” he said.
The two big hurdles that remain are scaling up through a third-party partner like a university, and then developing its own large-scale factory beginning with the facility in Manitowoc.
“All of that can be done with this first round, so that’s the goal,” he said, noting $250,000 for the crowdfunding target and $1 million for venture capital.
GRAS declaration needed
The fundraise also will help the legal expense of achieving Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the FDA, Lazimy said.
Plantible Foods’ Rubisco product is different because it is derived from lemna, an aquatic plant that is also known as duckweed, rather than alfalfa.
FDA released a “No Questions” letter in February, giving the greenlight to begin production. Plantible CEO Tony Martens called the decision “an industry-defining moment.”
“The FDA’s review reinforces the scientific rigor behind Rubi Protein and clears the way for broader commercial applications,” Martens said. “We are proud to be the first company to receive a ‘No Questions’ letter for Rubisco protein, opening the door for a new class of functional, sustainable ingredients.”
Lazimy was also emboldened by the approval, calling it a “huge benefit” to Fudi’s efforts.
“It gives us an easier pathway,” he said. “We believe it’ll be easier for the FDA to approve this ingredient.”
Whey protein in short supply
The forthcoming launch positions Fudi to help relieve pressure on the US protein supply, according to Lazimy.
That’s due to a shortage of supply in whey protein concentrate and isolate, he said in a statement.
The company cited a May 2026 story in The Atlantic magazine showing that a protein shortage could impact the price of chips, candy, sodas and waters.
GLP-1 medications are also driving the protein trend, with 70% of Americans saying they are looking for more protein in the foods they eat.
“The ingredient is a complete protein (all nine essential amino acids) with a PDCAAS (digestibility score) of up to 1.0, a white color, a clean and neutral taste and functional performance that positions it as a 1:1 replacement for egg white across foaming, gelling and binding applications,” according to Fudi.
