Virdalis, a Singapore-based biotechnology company developing protein from Wolffia globosa—commonly known as duckweed—has secured $700,000 in pre-seed funding led by Wavemaker Impact.
In a Monday press release, Singapore-headquartered Wavemaker Impact said Virdalis is working to develop a protein ingredient for the global animal feed industry that can be produced without reliance on arable land, water availability, or specific climate conditions.
With the funding, Virdalis, headquartered in Singapore and featuring operations in the Philippines, plans to scale pilot production systems, expand its technical team, and pursue commercial agreements with feed manufacturers across Southeast Asia.
The global animal feed industry is valued at more than $500 billion annually, with protein ingredients accounting for about $300 billion. Much of the world’s feed protein is produced in a limited number of countries and transported internationally, creating supply chains that may be exposed to price volatility, geopolitical disruptions, and food security risks.
As demand for meat, dairy, and aquaculture products increases, countries are placing greater emphasis on feed protein as a strategic resource. However, large-scale domestic production has typically required significant farmland and suitable growing climates.
According to Virdalis founder and chief executive JM Aujero, duckweed could provide an alternative protein source that can be produced locally. He said the plant’s biological properties enable rapid growth and may allow production with a lower environmental footprint than traditional crops.
Virdalis is developing cultivation systems, processing technology, and a data-driven production platform aimed at producing duckweed-based feed protein. The company says this approach could allow countries to produce feed protein domestically rather than relying on imports.
Quentin Vaquette, founding partner at Wavemaker Impact, said the organization assessed several alternative protein approaches before supporting the company, citing duckweed’s biological characteristics and potential emissions reductions compared with conventional production methods. “This is a protein source that any country can produce domestically, turning feed security from a trade dependency into a sovereign capability,” said Quentin Vaquette.