1.5 Degree, the plant-based dairy venture from Natturz Bio Kontrol Pvt Ltd, has raised $1 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by 35North Venture’s India Discovery Fund-II, signalling strong investor confidence in the future of sustainable dairy alternatives in India.
The infusion of fresh capital will power the company’s next phase of growth — expanding its manufacturing capabilities, strengthening institutional partnerships, and extending its geographical reach to high-demand urban markets such as Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi. These regions together account for nearly 60% of India’s institutional food service consumption, making them critical for scaling operations.
35North’s India Discovery Fund-II, a SEBI-registered early-stage alternative investment fund, focuses on backing transformative ideas with high execution potential. The fund’s support reflects growing confidence in India’s nascent but fast-developing plant-based dairy segment, estimated to disrupt parts of the ₹18.9 trillion Indian dairy industry.
1.5 Degree follows a B2B-first business model, catering to institutional food service clients — including hotel chains, corporate cafeterias, educational institutes, and large-scale dining setups. The brand has already partnered with global food service leaders such as Compass Group and Sodexo, delivering customised dairy-alternative products like premium gelatos, frozen desserts, smoothie bowls, and oat-milk-based beverages.
A standout feature of 1.5 Degree’s offerings is its AI-powered processing technology, designed to eliminate the “off” flavours typically found in plant-based dairy products by deactivating lipoxygenase enzymes. This technological breakthrough has enabled the company to offer products that are cholesterol-free, have up to 72% lower greenhouse gas emissions, and 80% reduced water usage — all without sacrificing taste.
Such eco-conscious product attributes are resonating strongly with institutional buyers prioritising ESG compliance, employee health, and cost optimisation.
In addition to its institutional focus, the company is also making inroads into the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space through retail parlours and partnerships with cloud kitchens in metropolitan hubs.
Vedansh Goyal, Co-founder and CEO of 1.5 Degree, highlighted that this funding round not only validates their approach but also enhances the company’s ability to lead India’s sustainable food transition, bridging food innovation and strategic B2B alliances.
