Better Nature secures £1.1 million to boost global tempeh expansion

Better Nature has raised £1.1 million (US$1.4 million) in fresh funding to accelerate the growth of its high-protein, gut-friendly tempeh range, both in the UK and internationally.

The round was led primarily by angel investors, with 70% of the capital coming from existing backers, underscoring continued confidence in the company’s mission to, in its own words, “save the world from so-so protein like chicken and get everyone eating supercharged protein: tempeh”.

Founded to tap into the UK’s £3.2 billion (US$4.1 billion) chicken market, Better Nature aims to steer consumers toward a healthier, more sustainable alternative. Its tempeh is positioned not only as a plant-based option but as a nutrient-rich protein source with added benefits for gut health.

According to the company, the new funding will support expanded sales and marketing, drive innovation, and broaden the appeal of tempeh to a wider audience.

“Our latest fundraising round is a brilliant boost for the business at a point when the tempeh category is rapidly gaining momentum and we are seeing strong brand growth,” commented Elin Roberts, Co-CEO at Better Nature.

The brand’s latest results highlight that momentum. “We recorded our best-ever quarter in Q2 2025, with 128% year-on-year sales growth, and we’re now the UK’s No.1 tempeh brand by volume, with 38.1% market share, leading the category’s impressive 41% growth,” Roberts said.

Better Nature attributes part of its domestic success to a revamped product range. Its Organic Tempeh, relaunched in March with higher protein content and improved flavor, has become the best-selling tempeh SKU in Tesco. The company also holds the position as the sole tempeh brand stocked across Asda’s full estate.

International expansion is gathering pace as well. In Germany, revenues jumped 330% year-on-year in Q2 2025, making Better Nature the market leader in tempeh. The company has recently launched in Austria and plans to enter two additional international markets later this year.

“With the new funding, we will continue to drive mainstream brand growth, going beyond the plant-based aisle to tap into the growing market for natural, gut-friendly proteins,” Roberts added. “We’ll also be launching our biggest marketing campaign to date, challenging the mindless consumption of chicken to help health-conscious consumers make the swap from chicken (so-so protein) to tempeh (supercharged protein) which has a similar protein content to chicken while being supercharged with fiber, gut-health benefits and antioxidants.”

Better Nature believes it is positioned to take advantage of several intersecting consumer trends, including demand for high-protein, gut-friendly, natural, fiber-rich and plant-based foods.

“As a brand, we’re perfectly poised to capture the huge trends in health right now,” Roberts said. “With our Indonesian roots and our expertise in tempeh at the heart of the brand through my brilliant co-founder Dr Ando, we are the go-to experts on tempeh and perfectly placed to get the world eating what we believe to be the healthiest protein on the planet.”

The company’s approach combines heritage and innovation. Tempeh, a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans, is recognized for its dense protein content and probiotic benefits. Better Nature has sought to modernize its appeal, enhancing flavor and versatility to reach consumers who might not otherwise explore fermented plant proteins.

The upcoming marketing push will focus on challenging chicken’s dominance as the default protein choice for many consumers. By highlighting tempeh’s similar protein levels alongside its fiber and antioxidant content, Better Nature hopes to shift perceptions and drive trial.

While the funding will strengthen the brand’s position in the UK and Europe, it also opens doors for wider international reach. The company has not disclosed its forthcoming markets, but Roberts confirmed they are strategically chosen to align with growing consumer interest in natural, functional proteins.

Better Nature’s growth comes amid a broader uptick in plant-based protein adoption, though the company’s focus on whole-food, fermented products sets it apart from many competitors in the space. The emphasis on gut health, in particular, aligns with the surge in consumer awareness around the microbiome and digestive wellness.

The funding round builds on the company’s trajectory of year-on-year gains and reinforces the role of tempeh in diversifying the protein landscape. With market share leadership in the UK and rapid gains abroad, Better Nature is positioning itself as a category-defining brand in the alternative protein sector.