LIOF invests in OTA Food; the new holding company that includes Kipster

F.l.t.r Styn Claessens and Ruud Zanders (both OTA/Kipster), Kim de Boer (Brightland Venture Partners), Raymond MIddeldorp and Niek Theunissen (both LIOF), Justin Buitenhuis (Kipster)

OTA Food: new engine for food innovation

OTA Food develops and combines sustainable and circular food concepts with the aim of bringing them to market faster. OTA Food is set to become the driving force behind the transition towards a more sustainable food system, with Limburg serving as an important testing ground. The initiative aligns seamlessly with the growing demand from consumers and businesses for fair and climate-conscious food. Through its investment in OTA Food, LIOF aims to contribute to the scaling up of groundbreaking ideas that fit within the transition to a more sustainable and healthier Limburg.

The other shareholders of OTA Food are its four founders (Maurits Groen, Olivier Wegloop, Styn Claessens, and Ruud Zanders) and investor Brightland Agrifood Fund. In addition to Kipster, OTA Food has initiated Pigster  (a Kipster for pigs), Resty (processing residual streams into products for human consumption), and holds a 25% stake in Respectfarms BV, which aims to establish the world’s first cultivated meat farm.

Kipster: global player in sustainable poultry farming

Kipster has developed a revolutionary barn concept in which the reuse of residual streams, animal welfare, and CO₂ reduction are central. Kipster already supplies eggs, bread, and chicken meat to various international partners, setting the standard for the poultry sector of the future. In the coming years, Kipster will accelerate its growth ambitions by opening new locations and further rolling out its innovative concept nationally and internationally.

New management structure at Kipster

As of May 1st  2025, Justin uitenhuis has joined Kipster as Co-CEO. Buitenhuis previously led the development of the e-commerce strategy at Jumbo, growing it together with the team to €600 million in revenue and 4,000 employees. In recent years, he worked as international business developer at Sixt, from the headquarters in Munich. He brings extensive experience in organization, operations, and international expansion. Together with co-founder Ruud Zanders, he now forms the management team of Kipster.
“Kipster’s mission to make the food system fairer and more sustainable greatly appeals to me,” says Justin. “I look forward to working with Ruud and the team to shape the next phase of growth and (inter)national expansion.”

Working together for a sustainable future

“With our investment in OTA Food and Kipster, we are giving a powerful boost to sustainable food innovation in Limburg and far beyond,” say Raymond Middeldorp and Niek Theunissen, investment managers at LIOF. “Kipster and OTA Food prove that with courage and innovation, you can make a real difference in making our food chain more sustainable. That is exactly what LIOF wants to support.”
Ruud Zanders adds: “Thanks to LIOF’s support, we can realize our mission – a fairer and more sustainable food system – faster and on a broader scale. OTA Food will play an important role in bringing innovative ideas to life.”

About LIOF

LIOF is the regional development agency for Limburg and supports innovative entrepreneurs with advice, networks, and financing. We also assist with cross-border collaboration and international business. Together with entrepreneurs and partners, we are working towards a smarter, more sustainable, and healthier Limburg.

About Kipster

Kipster is the world’s most animal- and environmentally-friendly poultry farm. With a revolutionary barn design and by feeding chickens with residual streams, Kipster sets new standards for sustainability in the poultry sector.
 

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