Foodspring is a German startup founded in 2013,[1] which primarily sells sports nutrition such as protein powder and protein bars, but also 'fitness versions' of common foods.[2][3] It was sold to Mars Inc. in 2019.[4] All customer-facing operations will end by June 30, 2025.[5]
History
In 2013, Tobias Schüle and Philipp Schrempp founded the company in Berlin together with the ECONA AG.[6]
It was purchased by Mars Inc. in 2019[4] for approximately 300 million euro[1] through its investment arm Mars Edge.[7] At the time, it had 130 employees.[8] At the time, it was planned that the founders Schrempp and Schüle would remain in their respective positions at the company.[7]
In 2021, the founders left the company, and were replaced by Gerrit Meier.[9] As of 2024, the company has 180 employees.[6]
In 2023, Christian Bubenheim was named as the new chief executive officer.[10][11]
On March 04 2025, due to challenging market conditions, the company declared it took the decision to end all customer-facing operations by June 30, 2025.[5]
Products and reception
The company sells protein powder and shakes, as well as Protein bars, porridge, pancake mix and other food marketed as functional sports nutrition.[7] The products are sold in 17 different countries.[6]
Their products have been ranked favourably in product reviews, including by GQ Germany[12][13] and Vogue Germany.[14]
In 2020, a bread mix was recalled due to contamination with Ethylene oxide.[15]
References
- ^ a b Heuberger, Sarah (2021-03-15). "Die Foodspring-Gründer hören auf – neuer CEO kommt von Redbull". Business Insider (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ Hilgenstock, Sophie. "Protein Cream: Gesunde und kalorienarme Nussnougatcreme?". RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland.
- ^ Doose, Nils (2022-03-05). "Protein Pancakes: Diese 3 Low-Carb-Rezepte sind einfach UND fluffig!". GQ Germany (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ a b "Mars: Süßwarenriese kauft deutsches Start-up für Sportlernahrung - WELT". DIE WELT (in German). 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ a b "Stampa". foodspring (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ a b c "Über uns". Foodspring (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ a b c "Fitness-Start-up: Mars beteiligt sich an Foodspring". Lebensmittel Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Ksienrzyk, Lisa (2019-06-27). "Mars übernimmt Foodspring". Business Insider (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Handelsblatt". www.handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ StartupValley (2023-09-13). "Ambitionen köstlich befeuern: foodspring enthüllt die Kampagne "Feed Your Fit"". Startups, Gründer, Web3, NFT, Krypto & Metaverse (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ "Christian Bubenheim - CEO at foodspring" (PDF). Universität St. Gallen.
- ^ Herrmann, Raffaela (2022-05-02). "Proteinriegel Test 2024: Die 24 besten Eiweiß-Riegel in der Übersicht". GQ Germany (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ Herrmann, Raffaela (2021-05-15). "Whey Protein Test 2024: Das sind die 33 besten Proteinpulver". GQ Germany (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ Graf, Beatrice (2024-05-05). "Proteinpulver im Test – das sind die fünf besten Produkte". Vogue Germany (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "Rückruf: Ethylenoxid – foodspring ruft PROTEIN BREAD Backmischung zurück – Produktwarnungen – Produktrückrufe und Verbraucherwarnungen". www.produktwarnung.eu. Retrieved 2024-05-31.