Turkish food tech startup Itz Nutz, known for its cashew-based dairy alternatives, has secured $535,000 in investment to expand its product range and distribution. Founded in 2018, Itz Nutz offers a variety of plant-based dairy alternatives, including yoghurts, cheeses, butter, and cream cheeses, made from cashews using a combination of traditional fermentation and modern food tech.

The funding will allow Itz Nutz to accelerate its research and development efforts, develop new products, expand internationally, and enter into partnerships with hotels, restaurants, and retailers. Despite restrictive labelling laws in Turkey for plant-based dairy products, the legislation has made progress in recognizing vegan cheese alternatives as separate products from conventional dairy products, enabling companies like Itz Nutz to manufacture, import, and export non-dairy cheese to support their post-investment business plan.