MUU Secures Backing from Regional Investors to Accelerate Animal-Free Dairy Expansion

Thailand-based food-tech startup MUU, the country’s first animal-free dairy company, has raised strategic funding from A2D Ventures, Leave a Nest Japan, Glocalink Singapore, Brinc, and a major Japanese food conglomerate. The Bangkok-based firm is developing precision-fermented dairy proteins as part of its mission to provide ethical and sustainable alternatives to traditional dairy products.

The investment will enable MUU to scale its operations and accelerate its market entry across Southeast Asia and beyond. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Lotte Fine Chemical for future distribution partnerships and access to deeper consumer insights in the region.

MUU was founded by a team that includes a former Chevron engineer, a former TikTok marketing head, and a scientist with a PhD and international research background. Based in Bangkok, the startup is addressing the ethical and environmental concerns of conventional dairy by using precision fermentation to produce milk proteins that replicate the taste and nutrition of cow’s milk—without involving animals.

MUU’s fermentation-based approach allows the creation of both casein and whey proteins, enabling its use in a wide range of products. These proteins are free from cholesterol, lactose, antibiotics and hormones, making them suitable for lactose-intolerant consumers, who make up a large share of the Asian population.

The startup’s four-step production process—strain development, fermentation, purification, and formulation—results in dairy proteins that mirror the texture and functionality of conventional milk. MUU claims the process reduces land, water, and greenhouse gas emissions by over 90%, making it a sustainable alternative in the dairy space.

MUU has started drawing early interest from the food industry, receiving sample requests from leading coffee chains and F&B companies in Thailand, Japan, and Singapore. 

Supported by a group of diverse investors, including A2D Ventures, Leave a Nest Capital, Glocalink Singapore, Brinc, and a major Japanese food conglomerate, MUU plans to scale across Asia and expand globally. Backers say MUU’s fusion of biotechnology, food science and climate focus comes at a time when demand for sustainable and ethical food solutions is growing across the region.

Backers see MUU’s platform as a timely solution for Asia, where lactose intolerance affects up to 80% of the population. Ankit Upadhyay, General Partner at A2D Ventures, said the team’s bold vision and cross-disciplinary expertise position it well to deliver animal-free dairy tailored to regional needs.

Dr. Yukihiro Maru, Founder and CEO of Leave a Nest Group, said MUU’s use of precision fermentation directly tackles the health, environmental, and ethical drawbacks of traditional dairy. He added that supporting MUU aligns with its broader mission to advance deep-tech solutions for global sustainability.