Willicroft shuts down after failing to secure funding

USA – Amsterdam-based vegan dairy company Willicroft has ceased operations after failing to secure the necessary funding to sustain its business. 

Co-founder Brad Vanstone announced on LinkedIn that the company has been liquidated and sold. 

Reports indicate that the plant-based dairy manufacturer officially ceased trading as of January 20.

Willicroft, founded in 2018, focused on developing environmentally sustainable dairy alternatives. 

The company initially gained recognition for its plant-based cheese products, which launched in 2019. Willicroft sold its products in three countries, including the Netherlands, where they were available in major retail chains such as Albert Heijn and Jumbo. 

The company’s portfolio featured alternatives to traditional cheese, including Italian aged and Greek white varieties, along with a fondue substitute and plant-based butter. 

In 2021, it reformulated its recipes, replacing nuts with beans to further its sustainability efforts.

Vanstone reflected on the challenges faced by Willicroft, noting that despite coming close to creating a self-sustaining business that balanced profitability with positive environmental impact, the company ultimately fell short. 

He described the past year as a “sobering reality check on the pace at which the food industry is transitioning.” 

A comparison shared in his statement highlighted the difficulties of scaling in the alternative dairy sector, citing a certificate awarded to his grandparents, who were dairy farmers, for a Holstein Friesian cow that produced 100 tonnes of milk in its lifetime. 

In contrast, Willicroft’s total production over six years amounted to just under 100 tonnes.

Vanstone further remarked that the scale and efficiency of the traditional dairy industry present significant hurdles for alternative dairy brands.

He noted that despite efforts to drive positive change in the food industry, it remains difficult for such companies to thrive.

Willicroft’s products have been sold to two different owners, whose identities will be revealed in the coming months.