Those Vegan Cowboys secures €6.25 million to scale cow-free dairy R&D
Those Vegan Cowboys, a Ghent-based FoodTech startup, has raised €6.25 million in its first funding round, the company announced. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate research and development of its cow-free dairy technology, a growing area within alternative proteins as manufacturers look for ways to replicate traditional dairy without relying on livestock.
The startup positions its work as an effort to deliver familiar dairy experiences—such as taste, texture, and functionality—while reducing the environmental impacts associated with conventional milk production. The funding marks a key milestone for the young company as it moves from early-stage development toward broader validation and eventual commercialization.
What the funding will support
According to the company, the €6.25 million round is intended to speed up product and process development. In practical terms, early funding in FoodTech is often directed toward several core needs: improving production efficiency, validating product performance in real-world applications, expanding laboratory and pilot capabilities, and hiring specialized talent across biotechnology, food science, and regulatory affairs.
While the company did not disclose additional details in the brief announcement, first rounds of this size typically aim to shorten timelines between proof-of-concept and pilot-scale output. For startups working on animal-free dairy, that can include refining methods to produce dairy-identical proteins and ensuring they behave like conventional ingredients when used by food manufacturers.
Why cow-free dairy is drawing attention
Cow-free dairy has become one of the most closely watched segments in FoodTech, sitting at the intersection of consumer demand for sustainable foods and the technical challenge of matching traditional dairy’s performance. Conventional dairy is valued not only for flavor but for its functional properties—such as melting, stretching, foaming, and emulsifying—which can be difficult to recreate with plant-only formulations.
Startups in this space generally target a familiar promise: deliver dairy products consumers recognize, but with a supply chain that does not require livestock. Advocates argue that such approaches could reduce land use and emissions, while also offering food makers a more stable input over time if production can be scaled efficiently.
Strategic implications for a Ghent FoodTech hub
The raise also underscores Ghent’s growing reputation as a European hub for FoodTech and biotech-adjacent innovation. Belgium, and Flanders in particular, has cultivated a network of research institutions, incubators, and industry partners that can help early-stage companies progress from scientific development to productization.
For Those Vegan Cowboys, being based in Ghent may offer access to specialized talent and collaboration opportunities that matter in a field where scientific execution and regulatory readiness can determine speed to market.
What comes next
With the first round secured, the next steps for the company will likely involve demonstrating repeatable results, improving unit economics, and preparing for the scrutiny that comes with larger commercial partnerships. In the cow-free dairy category, credibility often hinges on whether a company can show consistent production, clear product performance, and a pathway to scaling volumes without prohibitive costs.
As Those Vegan Cowboys accelerates development, the broader alternative dairy market will be watching for signals on timelines, pilot outcomes, and eventual go-to-market plans. The €6.25 million injection gives the startup additional runway to move its technology forward in a competitive landscape where speed, differentiation, and manufacturability are increasingly decisive.
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