Real Bowl Raises €3.2M Seed Funding to Scale Fresh Dog Food and Expand Across Europe

Real Bowl, an Italian pet-food startup focused on fresh and sustainable nutrition for dogs, has secured €3.2 million in seed funding to support its next phase of growth and international expansion. The round marks a significant step forward for the company, which was founded in 2020 with the goal of redefining how pet food is produced, stored, and delivered.

The company was founded by Alberto Alfonso, Lorenzo Tecchio, and Leonardo Colturato, who set out to address a growing demand among pet owners for healthier and more transparent food options. Real Bowl has developed a proprietary production process that allows it to prepare fresh dog meals using high-quality ingredients while maintaining shelf stability at room temperature, without the use of preservatives. This approach combines the nutritional value of freshly cooked food with the logistical advantages of traditional packaged products.

The seed round was backed by a mix of institutional and private investors. Among the key supporters is CDP Venture Capital, Italy’s national innovation fund, which invests in high-potential startups across strategic sectors. CDP Venture Capital participated in the round through its acceleration and investment initiatives aimed at scaling innovative companies with strong industrial potential.

Real Bowl is also supported by the Terra Next acceleration program, a national initiative focused on startups operating in the bioeconomy and agri-food innovation space. Terra Next was launched by CDP Venture Capital in collaboration with several strategic partners and provides selected startups with funding, mentorship, and access to industrial and commercial networks. Real Bowl’s participation in the program reflects its positioning at the intersection of food technology, sustainability, and animal welfare.

In addition to equity funding, the company has previously received financial backing from Intesa Sanpaolo, which in 2024 granted Real Bowl a €500,000 convertible loan under its “Convertibile Impresa” initiative. The financing was aimed at supporting the expansion of the company’s production facility in Ospedaletto Euganeo, in the province of Padua, enabling higher output and improved operational efficiency. The convertible structure also gives the bank the option to convert the loan into equity at a later stage.

Another strategic partner involved through the Terra Next program is Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, which contributes to the initiative by supporting the development and scaling of innovative business models. Its role includes facilitating collaboration between startups, corporates, and research institutions, helping companies like Real Bowl strengthen their market readiness.

Cariplo Factory is also part of the broader Terra Next ecosystem, providing acceleration expertise and operational support. Through its experience in startup development and open innovation, Cariplo Factory helps early-stage companies refine their strategies, improve execution, and prepare for subsequent funding rounds.

Including earlier financing, Real Bowl has raised a total of approximately €3.7 million to date. The company plans to use the newly raised capital to further enhance its production capabilities, invest in research and development for new nutritional formulations, and accelerate its expansion into international markets. Additional resources will be allocated to hiring, marketing, and the digitalization of sales and customer engagement processes, particularly across direct-to-consumer channels.

Operating in the fast-growing fresh pet food segment, Real Bowl is positioning itself within a broader shift in consumer behavior, as pet owners increasingly seek personalized, natural, and functional nutrition for their animals. With fresh food solutions gaining traction across Europe, the company aims to leverage its technology-driven model and institutional backing to establish a strong presence beyond Italy.

By combining innovation in food processing with a focus on sustainability and customization, Real Bowl is working to build a scalable pet-food brand aligned with evolving expectations in the global pet care market.