Yessica Klein
8 min read
09 November 2025
Anna Ramata-Stunda is the CEO of Alternative Plants and leads product development with a focus on safety and efficacy. She has a strong background in cell biology and more than a decade of experience in consulting and in-vitro testing for the cosmetics industry. It was through her experience with cosmetic and medical-device companies that she saw the need for standardized, sustainably produced, effective and consistent botanical ingredients that could be grown in bioreactors rather than in fields. This led to the idea for a company that makes rare plant resources accessible to the cosmetic industry while reducing reliance on traditional harvesting methods, and in 2017 she cofounded Alternative Plants in Riga.
What brought you to found the company?
Before founding the company, my cofounder and I worked with the cosmetic industry testing the safety and efficacy of ingredients using animal cell biology. We observed that some botanical ingredients were rare, endangered or difficult to access. That’s when we began to explore whether plant cell cultures could offer a viable alternative. At the same time, the growing market demand for natural products poses a challenge for consistency. Plant cell cultivation technology addresses this by growing plants not in fields but in controlled bioreactors.
What inspired you?
We drew great inspiration from local, small companies and brands eager to adopt new natural ingredients. The vibrant and growing biotechnology ecosystem in Europe also played a key role in shaping our work.
What’s your mission?
Our mission is to deliver highly effective, safe and natural ingredients to the cosmetics industry. Moreover, by applying these ingredients also in pharmaceuticals, food and medical devices, we can offer consistent, high-performance botanical solutions without placing a burden on nature or harming biodiversity.
What were the founding steps?
A major turning point came when we submitted our idea to an accelerator run by a global health and biotechnology venture capital fund. This led to our first preseed investment. We later established our manufacturing site in Latvia, and in 2022 we successfully raised our seed round. European grants have also played a key role, enabling us to collaborate with universities and institutes, as our technology requires extensive research.
How does your business reflect your personality?
We aim to stay true to ourselves and our customers by going the extra mile, including additional testing when needed to ensure the product matches the desired chemical profile and bioactivity.
“The more transparent you are, the more trust you build."
What were some of the biggest challenges?
In the early years, we worked with a variety of plants and cell cultures, but not every attempt was successful. One of the most difficult moments is having to discard a culture that doesn’t perform or meet our criteria, sometimes representing six months of a colleague’s dedicated work.
What lessons have you learned so far?
Resilience. When we see a problem, it’s important to not just focus on the issue itself but to actively seek solutions. Communication, both internally and externally, is key but can sometimes be challenging in Northern Europe where people tend to be more introverted.
What has been the most rewarding part of the journey so far?
When a customer launches a new product containing our ingredients, it represents a significant reward. Some of these products have also received international awards in the skincare and cosmetics industry.
Why did you choose to establish your company in Riga?
Riga’s industry and scientific ecosystem is vibrant and stimulating, supported by prominent scientific institutions and the presence of three leading universities operating in the field of biology, medicine and engineering. The city also hosts prestigious industry events that attract investors, corporations and startups.
What's next?
Our focus is on scaling both sales and production. We are committed to expanding our product portfolio and broadening our collaborations to include the medical industry alongside cosmetics by establishing partnerships in Europe and the US.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
My advice is for introverted entrepreneurs to talk about their ideas, because you can’t build success alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out and don’t see potential partners like institutes or universities as strictly academic. They can also offer valuable guidance on financing, public grants and collaboration opportunities. The more you communicate, the more likely you are to find contacts who can help, offer advice or even become team members.
What do you think of the startup landscape in Europe?
Europe has a strong ecosystem of plant biotechnologists, but it remains fragmented. Different regions tend to specialize in different fields. Collaborating in cross-border consortia can help bridge the gap and minimize fragmentation.
“Having many friends in the arts and creative industries helps me clear my mind and see things from another perspective.”