Berkeley, California, United States, October 2025 – Bettani Farms (formerly Climax Foods), a food technology company driving breakthrough innovation in the global cheese market, has announced a major corporate transformation. The company unveiled its new brand identity, confirmed a $6.5 million Series A funding round, and appointed Sandeep Patel, former CFO of Califia Farms, as its new Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The rebrand marks a pivotal shift toward commercializing Caseed™, Bettani’s proprietary protein ingredient designed to redefine dairy-free cheese.
The Series A round was led by S2G Investments, a leading multi-stage investment firm focused on sustainable solutions across food, agriculture, and energy, with participation from At One Ventures, Gratitude Railroad, Manta Ray Ventures, and Toba Capital. The fresh capital will accelerate Bettani’s commercialization efforts, strengthen R&D capabilities, and support its expansion into new markets.
Sandeep Patel, CEO and Chairman of Bettani Farms, shared his excitement about the company’s future, stating, “Bettani is poised to do for pizza what oat milk has done for coffee. Just as oat won coffee over the last five years with its superior taste, mouthfeel, performance, and allergen profile, our Caseed™-powered cheeses deliver the melt, stretch, texture, and flavor consumers crave in pizza and other hot foods – without the allergens and high carbon footprint of dairy.”
The rebrand underscores Bettani’s commitment to innovation and sustainability through Caseed™, a plant-derived, non-GMO protein that mimics dairy casein—the key protein responsible for melt and stretch in traditional cheeses. Produced from regenerative field crop seeds, Caseed™ offers a creamy texture, neutral flavor, and white color, enabling the creation of mozzarella, feta, goat, brie, and cream cheeses—all allergen-free, nut-free, soy-free, and rich in protein (12–20 grams per 100 grams of cheese). The company’s tagline, “Better with Bettani,” captures its mission to redefine dairy alternatives with taste and nutrition that rival their traditional counterparts.
Alongside Patel, Bettani has strengthened its leadership team with seasoned industry experts including Rajiv Dave (SVP of R&D; formerly with Califia Farms, Nestlé, and Great Lakes Cheese), Tom Zilligen (SVP of Sales; formerly with NUMU, Pacific Foods, and Schwann), and Maxwell Brown (Process Engineer; formerly with Meati and Ingredion).
Sanjeev Krishnan, Managing Partner at S2G, praised Bettani’s direction, saying, “As Bettani starts this new chapter, we believe it’s clear the company has the strong leadership and vision needed to make protein-rich, dairy-free cheeses commonplace. We’re proud to continue to support Bettani and the commercialization of its technology at a critical time when demand for protein-rich, allergen-free, and more sustainable food products is increasing.”
Patel, who also served as President and CFO of PopSockets, brings a diverse background in sustainable business leadership, having held senior roles at Goldman Sachs and Barclays, where he advised global food and agriculture innovators. Under his guidance, Bettani will focus on commercializing Caseed™, scaling production partnerships with frozen food manufacturers, food service operators, and established dairy-free cheese brands.
About Bettani Farms
Bettani Farms is a food technology company pioneering protein-rich, dairy-free cheese solutions through its proprietary Caseed™ ingredient platform. With a mission to create sustainable, allergen-free, and delicious dairy alternatives, Bettani’s products replicate the melt, stretch, and mouthfeel of traditional cheese without dairy, nuts, or soy. Headquartered in Berkeley, California, Bettani is redefining the future of cheese with innovation grounded in nature and supported by science.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
