New Zealand’s first climate venture fund, which has reduced 60 tonnes of CO2 in its first year, is investing in a new groundbreaking start-up, Teiny.

Teiny, a company producing alternative oat milk and transforming it into complete oat milk powder, has received funding from Climate VC Fund to support it heading into market.

The fund says its investment with Teiny is because the company was able to offer a solution to a “critical gap in the market”; the nutrition of dairy combined with the sustainability of plant-based milks.

“When people choose oat milks over dairy, the emissions reductions are substantial. Teiny accelerates this shift with their nutritionally complete and great-tasting oat milk powder that doesn’t compromise on health or sustainability,” says Dr Jez Weston, Climate VC Fund Partner.

The start-up is founded by Emma Arvidson and Renee Tauwhare who wanted to bridge the gap between the nutrition of dairy and the sustainability of plant-based milks.

The duo did this by utilising technology that preserves flavour and enhances nutritional content.

Read more: Climate investment fund cuts over 60 tonnes of CO2

Its oat milk is a close alternative to other competitors to the real thing and includes all the protein, calcium and vitamins that is found in dairy.

“We’ve often found ourselves having to choose between nutrition and our environmental values when it comes to our milk choice. What began as a passion project to solve this dilemma for ourselves has now grown into something much bigger, as we discovered that many others share the same struggle,” says Arvidson, CEO of Teiny.

The Climate VC Fund prides itself in investing in companies that reduces its carbon emissions. Teiny is the second powdered item that the fund is investing in, after Cleanery’s powdered cleaning and personal care range.

“We’re seeing commercial success with Cleanery and we see the same potential with Teiny. Powdered products like Teiny’s not only slash costs and emissions by up to 95%  – as you are not shipping water – they also resonate with consumers looking for sustainable, convenient options. That advantage has helped Cleanery thrive in thousands of supermarkets across Australasia and the US. We’re taking what we’ve learned from Cleanery to help Teiny into market,” adds Rohan MacMahon, Partner at Climate VC Fund.

With the support of the Climate VC Fund, Teiny is on the way to pave the way for a new era in plant-based milks, where sustainability and nutrition go hand in hand.