Brami raises $33M Series B to bring lupini bean pasta to US shelves

What's the deal? Brami, the New York-based protein pasta brand built around lupini beans, has closed a $33 million Series B round. The funding will fuel expanded retail distribution across the US and strengthen its lupini bean supply chain.

Brami has carved out a niche in the better-for-you pasta category by using lupini beans — a high-protein, low-carb legume popular in Mediterranean cuisine but still relatively unknown in the US. The company sells its pasta products through a growing network of retail partners.

Why now? Consumer demand for high-protein, plant-based alternatives continues to surge, and pasta is one of the largest untapped categories for protein-focused reformulation. Brami appears to be capitalising on that momentum before larger CPG players crowd the space.

Supply chain investment is also time-sensitive. Scaling lupini bean sourcing — a less commoditised crop than chickpeas or lentils — requires early commitment to growers and processing infrastructure.

What could go wrong? Lupini beans remain unfamiliar to most American shoppers, which means Brami faces a significant consumer education challenge. Competing against established pasta brands with deep distribution networks and marketing budgets won't be cheap.

Building a reliable supply chain for a niche crop carries its own risks. Any disruption in sourcing could limit the company's ability to meet retail demand at a critical growth stage.

The signal: The round reflects a broader investor bet on functional, protein-rich staple foods rather than flashy meat alternatives. After the plant-based meat hype cooled, capital is flowing toward simpler, shelf-stable products that slot into everyday eating habits — pasta, snacks, and cereals reformulated with novel ingredients. Brami's $33 million raise suggests the market sees room for a category winner in high-protein pasta before incumbents catch up.

Read more: forbes.com