Mariane •

From a dream to award-winning skincare

ÄIO’s fermentation-derived ingredients make their mark. Two international beauty awards, two sustainability award nominations and three commercial skincare ingredients. The latest recognitions mark an important milestone: biotechnology developed in the laboratory is now reaching consumers through finished products and gaining... Read more
Mariane •

WIPO Highlights ÄIO in the Global Innovation Index 2026

Estonia has recorded the fastest growth in deep-science startups among smaller economies, increasing by 294% between 2020 and 2025. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) highlights ÄIO as one of the Estonian companies illustrating this development in its Global Innovation... Read more
Mariane •

Meet ÄIO across Europe this autumn

London → Amsterdam → Munich → Oslo → Wuppertal → Helsinki.  ÄIO team, Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Nemailla Bonturi, Co-founder and CTO, Professor Petri-Jaan Lahtvee and CFO/CPO Martin Mets will be joining some of Europe’s most relevant gatherings for investment,... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO enters the Brazilian cosmetics market!

ÄIO is officially entering Brazil through an exclusive distribution partnership with Focus Química, bringing its fermentation-derived cosmetic ingredients closer to one of the world’s most innovative beauty markets. Read the full press release from here: In-cosmetics: Focus Química announces exclusive distribution... Read more
Mariane •

The next bestseller starts with ÄIO ingredient!

At ÄIO, we have done the science, so you can focus on creating the next generation of cosmetic products. Whether you are developing your new skincare hero, haircare innovation, or waterless formulation, we are ready to help. Our three fermentation-derived... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO ingredients receive Vegan certification

At ÄIO, we believe the future of cosmetic ingredients should combine performance, sustainability, and responsible innovation. We are happy to share a milestone in our journey: our three fermentation-derived cosmetic ingredients: Fermira™ RedOil, ZymaLipid Complex and Encapsulated oil, have received certification... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO ingredients receive COSMOS certification

ÄIO’s three fermentation-derived cosmetic ingredients: Fermira™ RedOil, ZymaLipid Complex and Encapsulated oil, have officially received COSMOS certification from Cosmécert, confirming compliance with one of the most recognised global standards for natural and sustainable cosmetics. For ÄIO, this is more than... Read more
Mariane •

Two Technologies, One Direction: Origin by Ocean x ÄIO

The future of sustainable materials is built through collaboration and we are really excited to share what Origin by Ocean, a company transforming invasive algae into high-value ingredients while actively restoring marine ecosystems, has formulated with ÄIO’s ingredients. Both of... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO at in-cosmetics Global in Paris

The next breakthrough starts with “hello”! in-cosmetics Global in Paris is the moment during the year when everything comes together – ideas, partners, conversations, plans, colleagues. Come and say hi, explore, and feel ÄIO products. Let’s talk about your portfolio,... Read more
Mariane •

Before our ingredients reach you, they already carry a story!

From side-streams to shipment: building a fully circular delivery system At ÄIO, we develop sustainable fats and oils through fermentation, transforming low-value side-streams from the wood and agricultural industries into high-performance ingredients. And sustainability does not end at production, it... Read more
Mariane •

Meet ÄIO team at spring events!

Spring is always a busy and exciting season in the cosmetics industry and the same for ÄIO. We will be on the road meeting partners, formulators, brands, and investors across several major international events. From Bologna to Paris to New... Read more
Mariane •

Join our team! We are hiring a Head of Sales!

ÄIO is a team of 24 professionals, including 22% PhDs and 50% MSc level experts, representing 7 nationalities working for the same goal: to produce fats and oils sustainably for the cosmetics and food industries. We have built the technology.... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO product #1: ZymaLipid Complex

The future of sustainable lipids in cosmetics The world depends heavily on plant-derived oils and butters for cosmetics. Palm oil, coconut oil and tropical butters provide structure, texture and emollience to formulations. But their production is tied to deforestation, biodiversity... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO product #2: Fermira™ RedOil

A new generation of fermented antioxidant lipids for cosmetics Unrefined plant oils have long been valued in cosmetics for their richness, bioactivity and sensorial profile. But their production often depends on climate-sensitive crops, long supply chains and ecosystems under pressure. The... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO product #3: Encapsulated oil

A multinutritional fermented lipid complex for next-generation skincare Modern skincare is evolving. Consumers are no longer looking for single-function ingredients. They want performance, multifunctionality, stability, sustainability and science-backed claims. It is not just an oil. It is a multi-nutritional, postbiotic lipid system... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO selected among TECHARENA TOP46! See you in Stockholm

ÄIO has been selected to the TOP46 companies at TECHARENA (11 – 12 February 2026), one of the Nordics’ leading platforms connecting high-impact startups with investors, corporates, and global decision-makers. Being chosen among hundreds of ambitious European companies is a... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO RedOil samples on the move

At ÄIO, every milestone brings us closer to reshaping how the world sources and uses fats and oils. One milestone we celebrate frequently, though it may look simple from the outside, is packing and sending samples to our partners around... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO moment on the Nasdaq billboard

Let the world call it Blue Monday! A big thank you, KPMG Baltics and KPMG for the opportunity to pitch at Web Summit as the Global Tech Innovator finalist and for this fantastic earned-media moment on the Nasdaq billboard! Meanwhile,... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO Heads to COP30

From Estonia to Brazil, from Science to Sustainability In just a few weeks, the world will gather in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30. With over 190 countries, thousands of delegates, and voices from governments,... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO article in COSSMA cosmetics magazine

Published in COSSMA, issue 10/2025 Interview done with ÄIO Head of Cosmetics Development Magdalena Koziol. Find the full article: COSSMAxÄIO-10-2025.   1. What inspired the founding of ÄIO, and how did the idea for yeast-based oil alternatives first come about?... Read more
Mariane •

Press release: Biotechnology company ÄIO successfully produces first tonne of its yeast-based alternative to traditional oils for cosmetics and food applications

Press release: Biotechnology company ÄIO successfully produces first tonne of its yeast-based alternative to traditional oils for cosmetics and food applications The 1 tonne production milestone marks a significant step in ÄIO’s journey toward commercial-scale manufacturing of its next-generation, ecologically... Read more
Mariane •

When a Head of State walks through your lab door!

A Presidential Visit to ÄIO: Trust, Innovation, and the Future of Sustainable Ingredients. When the President of Estonia steps through your lab door, it’s more than a visit. It is a powerful recognition of science-driven innovation and the potential for... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO on the Road: Connecting Globally

Global challenges require global solutions and global connections. This autumn, the ÄIO team is hitting the road. From Vilnius to San Francisco, we’re stepping onto international stages, sharing our vision, pitching to investors, and forging new collaborations with partners who... Read more
Mariane •

“Mind the Gap”

Between innovation and regulation, between science and food, between policy makers and change-makers. ÄIO had the honour of helping bridge that gap in a rather fitting location: the UK Parliament for the first-ever Parliamentary Food Fermentation Fair, hosted by The... Read more
Mariane •

Join ÄIO team! Four amazing job opportunities!

  At ÄIO, we are pioneering a sustainable future through precision fermentation and circular innovation. By transforming industrial side-streams into high-value fats and oils. Now, as we grow fast, we’re inviting four new professionals to join us in Estonia and... Read more
Mariane •

DigiFoundry Project with ÄIO and TFTAK

How can we replace palm oil, coconut fat, and animal-based lipids with something truly sustainable, functional, and scalable? At ÄIO, we believe the answer lies in precision fermentation and the right partnerships to make it real. That is the spirit... Read more
Mariane •

Press Release: Novel Food tasting by ÄIO!

On May 21, 2025, ÄIO had the honor of co-hosting a landmark event that brought the future of food closer to today. As an official side event of Latitude59, the gathering was co-organized with Enterprise Estonia, Estonian Research Council, and... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO – Finalist at FoodTech 500!

We are beyond excited to announce that ÄIO has been selected as one of the top 200 companies in this year’s FoodTech 500 by Forward Fooding! This ranking celebrates the world’s most innovative startups and scale-ups at the intersection of... Read more
Mariane •

Tehnopol welcomes biotech startup ÄIO

The Tehnopol Science and Business Park welcomes ÄIO, a TalTech spin-off company, who recently moved to Tehnopol campus. ÄIO uses specialised yeast to produce fats, which can replace palm or coconut fat in food products and cosmetics. The co-founders of ÄIO... Read more
Mariane •

The world came to visit ÄIO

On September 17, ÄIO welcomed 40 diplomats representing their countries (in Estonia) from all over the world to our lab and kitchen facilities. During the visit, ÄIO’s Global Business Developer, Kristi Lember gave a good overview of what is the... Read more
Mariane •

ÄIO has joined the BIONEER project consortium

We are excited to announce that ÄIO has joined the BIONEER Project consortium as part of a groundbreaking project under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). This project is a key step toward advancing sustainable, bio-based industries in... Read more
Mariane •

Start-Up Day 2022 in Tartu was a success!

ÄIO is gaining momentum! Hell yeah! TOP 5 in the bag from Start-Up Day 2022 pitching competition powered by EstBAN (Estonian Business Awards Network). ÄIO received some valuable awards. Thank you #Swedbank and #Sorainen for much appreciated legal services! ÄIO... Read more