It all started with our dogs' health
Veli was born because our own dogs struggled with digestive issues and weakened immunity, despite being fed the 'best' foods on the market. We decided to create food that actually works: healthy, tasty, and backed by science.
Our Story
We watched our own dogs struggle with recurring gut issues, food intolerances, and declining physical condition.
Like many owners, we tried everything – premium brands, veterinary diets, supplements. Often spending a lot, but with too little effect.
That experience shaped our conviction:
"Real dog health doesn't come from more flavours or new packaging. It comes from nutrition that works with their body's biology."
8 years of research. One breakthrough discovery.
Mycelium, the root network of mushrooms, is extraordinarily rich in bioactive compounds. Our team discovered that insects can accumulate these valuable compounds from mushrooms, creating a protein that is not only sustainable but fully functional, with built-in gut and immune support.
This led to:
- ✓8 years of controlled trials
- ✓70+ generations of bio-adapted insect lines
- ✓Patented production processes
- ✓Validated batch stability
- ✓Proven functional benefits for the gut-immune axis
This was the birth of Naturalist Technology: a new way to create functional proteins driven entirely by biology. This protein became the heart of Veli food.
NATURALIST TECHNOLOGY
Naturalist Technology is the result of applying biological principles, not industrial shortcuts, to functional animal nutrition.
By combining mushroom-driven nutrient enhancement with long-term insect bio-adaptation, we enable a stable transfer of functional compounds into the protein, without chemicals or artificial processing.
The result? A protein with a consistent amino acid profile, predictable quality, high palatability, and proven gut-immune axis support. This protein makes up 30% of every Veli recipe, complemented by premium quality meat.
INVESTOR VALIDATION
Backed by Europe's leading innovation investors
Our approach earned the confidence of Europe's top deep-tech and food innovation investors. Proteine Resources (the company behind Veli) has secured over €12 million in combined funding, including from the EIC Accelerator programme and private investors.
Radix Ventures
VENTURE CAPITAL
SMOK Ventures
VENTURE CAPITAL
BitSpiration Booster
VENTURE CAPITAL
Our purpose as a company
The pet food industry doesn't need more 'flavours' or 'new packaging'.
It needs a new foundation for health.
We exist to deliver the healthiest possible food for dogs, built on science, nature, and full ingredient transparency.
Real sustainability starts with biology
The pet food industry is full of sustainability promises. Very few are built on biology and real circularity.
Zero chemicals. Zero GMO.
Mushroom cultivation prohibits pesticide and chemical use by design.
True circularity, not greenwashing.
We upcycle low-value mushroom by-products, not food-grade vegetables.
Where nutrition actually lives.
Most nutritional value is in the mycelium, which was historically wasted.
Sustainability that improves the product.
Better stability, nutrient transfer, and palatability.
For us, sustainability isn't a compromise. It's the reason Veli performs better.
The people behind the mission
We are scientists and operators, but first, we are pet owners who wanted better answers for animal health.
Konrad Włodarczyk
Founder & Co-CEO
Konrad leads research and technical development, from insect bio-adaptation to raw material management and production scaling. He designed the patented Naturalist Technology.
Bart Roszkowski
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Bart manages operations, investor relations, and company strategy. He guided Proteine Resources through the EIC Accelerator selection and investment rounds exceeding €12M.
Food built to perform
From breakthrough research to your dog's bowl: Veli is food built on 8 years of science, available now.