FUDI Protein opens crowdfunding round to scale alfalfa-derived RuBisCO extraction

FUDI Protein, a Madison, Wisconsin–based ingredient company, has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder to scale its extraction of RuBisCO—a complete plant protein—from American-grown alfalfa leaves. The raise, which runs alongside an institutional round led by Green Boy Group, will fund the transition from lab-scale extraction to pilot production, customer sampling, intellectual property filings, and the start of regulatory approval for human food use. The campaign comes amid a severe U.S. whey protein shortage, with some suppliers reportedly sold out through the end of 2026 and prices up more than 50% since January.

"Protein volatility is a supply-side problem, and we're a supply-side answer. 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, founder and CEO, FUDI Protein

• RuBisCO extracted from alfalfa leaves is described as a white, neutral-tasting, complete protein with a PDCAAS of up to 1.0 and functional properties comparable to egg white in foaming, gelling, and binding applications.
• FUDI integrates with established U.S. alfalfa growers rather than relying on greenhouse cultivation or dedicated acreage, returning a high-value byproduct to farmers as a premium feed ingredient.
• The company is accepting discovery calls with CPG brands and ingredient manufacturers, claiming RuBisCO can reduce protein-ingredient costs by 30–60% depending on the application.
• Demand drivers cited include the roughly 70% of Americans who say they want more protein in their diets and the approximately 12% of U.S. adults using GLP-1 medications, who are often advised to increase protein intake.