The global fishing industry is under increasing pressure: overfishing threatens marine ecosystems, while farmed fish is often treated with antibiotics and chemical additives. At the same time, the demand for delicious and healthy alternatives continues to grow. This is where catchfree comes in. Founded in 2024 by Severin Eder and Eduard Müller, the startup utilizes a proprietary process to create seafood alternatives that elevate customers’ culinary experience with great taste, texture, appearance, and healthy nutrients. The company’s current product portfolio includes shrimp, fish burgers, and fish bites made from rice, soy protein, and algae.
"Today’s environmentally conscious consumers want to enjoy healthier food – for themselves and for the planet. That's exactly what catchfree offers: an alternative that is just as indulgent and versatile as traditional fish, but made from plant-based protein", says Severin Eder, co-founder of catchfree. "Our products feature a minimalist ingredient list and a particularly gentle production process that preserves valuable nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids."
The seed investment will allow Catchfree to launch its products in the gastronomy sector in Switzerland by early summer 2025. Initially, the products will be introduced in select restaurants and restaurant chains that have already conducted successful market tests. The next step will be expanding within the food-service sector, followed by entry into national wholesale distribution in fall 2025.
"The plant-based seafood category is still in its early stages. While there are already numerous meat alternatives, high-quality plant-based seafood options remain scarce. We are closing this gap with catchfree," explains Eduard Müller, co-founder of the company. "Our long-term goal is to meet the growing demand for sustainable and flavorful seafood alternatives by building a trusted brand and continually expanding our product offerings to serve evolving consumer tastes."
With the growing trend toward sustainable nutrition and increasing awareness of the global impact of fishing, catchfree sees enormous market potential. The company relies on a strong network of partners, investors, and food-service businesses to drive its vision of a sustainable and savory seafood experience forward.
The seed round was co-led by FortyOne Group and Stiftung Startfeld, with participation from industry and private investors as well as business angels.
Catchfree co-founders: Severin Eder and Eduard Müller
(Press release/RAN)