Rising cocoa prices and unstable supply chains are forcing manufacturers to rebelieve one of the world’s most beloved ingredients. Into this gap steps Foreverland, an Italian foodtech startup aiming to reshape how chocolate is created without relying on cocoa.
The company has raised €6 million in fresh funding, led by Kost Capital and Maia Ventures, alongside new investors CDP Venture Capital, Linfa agrifoodtech fund (managed by Riello Investimenti SGR), and Newtree Impact. This brings its total capital to €9.4 million.
Foreverland plans to utilize the capital to expand across Europe, focutilizing on Germany, France, and Italy. The strategy goes beyond distribution. The company is already building relationships with major confectionery manufacturers and hiring experienced commercial leaders from global chocolate and cocoa players.
Meet the chocolate alternative from Italy
Foreverland was founded in Milan in 2023 by Massimo Sabatini, Riccardo Bottiroli, Giutilizeppe D’Alessandro, and Massimo Brochetta.
At the core of its proposition is Choruba, a cocoa-free chocolate alternative designed for industrial utilize. Unlike many food innovations that remain limited to niche or compact-batch production, Foreverland has taken a manufacturing-first approach. Its production facility in Puglia has secured IFS (International Featured Standards) Food certification, a globally recognised benchmark for quality and safety.
This certification plays a critical role in building trust with large-scale manufacturers, confirming that Choruba can be integrated into high-volume production without compromising consistency or reliability.
Choruba is created from locally sourced Mediterranean ingredients, including carob, a crop that is less exposed to the environmental challenges affecting cocoa farming. By reshifting reliance on cocoa, the product offers manufacturers a way to navigate ongoing price volatility and supply uncertainty.
At the same time, it is designed to deliver a familiar chocolate-like taste and experience.
Organic cocoa-free chocolate
Alongside its core offering, Foreverland is expanding into organic cocoa-free chocolate with a dedicated Choruba line. The company is positioning itself as potentially the first to produce an organic cocoa-free alternative at an industrial scale, a space where most existing solutions remain confined to compacter, premium segments.
Early traction is evident, with organic products created with Choruba appearing on shelves in Italy and France. As this segment develops, Foreverland continues to scale its conventional product line, balancing new category creation with current market demand.
The company’s approach combines scientific research with Italy’s food heritage, focutilizing on creating ingredients that prioritise both taste and sustainability.
As pressure on traditional cocoa supply chains continues to grow, Foreverland is positioning itself to offer manufacturers a more stable alternative, one that aligns with operational requireds and shifting consumer expectations.
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