CULT Food Science

© CULT Food Science

Cult Food Science Closes Debt Settlements

Cult Food Science, a Canadian food technology platform pioneering the commercialization of cultivated meat, has announced the settlement of outstanding debts owed to its creditors. As part of the settlement agreements, the company issued 2,997,000 shares at a price of $0.05 each. Of these, 1,017,000 are subject to a four month and one day hold period due to National Instrument 45-105 – Prospectus Exemptions. The remainder are not subject to a hold period, in accordance with Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 – Distributions Outside Canada. The news comes after the company’s board of directors determined that it would be in the business’ best interest to complete the debt settlement in order to preserve cash for working capital. Commercializing exciting technologies Cult Food Science boasts an …

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© Investment Climate Podcast

Investment Climate Podcast: Charles Christory of Le Fourgon, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews investors about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the investment playbooks of successful Climate Tech CEOs and Leading VCs. Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to numerous global food tech accelerators and companies, including alternative proteins and cellular agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech companies. This podcast is syndicated through our media partners; Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist. Episode 21: Le Fourgon In this episode, I spoke with Charles Christory, Co-Founder of Le Fourgon, about the rollercoaster journey of raising capital for a mission-driven company tackling plastic waste. When a last-minute investor dropout forced them to rethink their €15M Series A, they pivoted, secured funding from …

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Cano-ela

© Cano-ela

Cano-ela Raises €1.6M to Extract Innovative Plant-Based Ingredients From Oilseeds

Dutch foodtech startup Cano-ela has raised €1.6 million in a new funding round. Participants included existing investor Oost NL and new investors Value Factory Ventures and Ecoseed. Cano-ela is working to transform underutilized canola seeds into high-value plant-based ingredients by processing them in an innovative way. These ingredients could reportedly be used by food companies to create the next generation of sustainable and natural plant-based foods. The startup aims to improve on existing extraction methods for oilseeds, which only extract one component (vegetable oil) and create big streams with poor functionality. Cano-ela told Silicon Canals that the new funding would allow it to upgrade its pilot facility, increase production capacity, and accelerate collaborations with food producers. “New exciting phase” Cano-Ela’s ingredients include: Worldwide, a few …

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Re:Meat

© Re:Meat

Re:meat Secures Investment to Launch Scandinavia’s First Cultivated Meat Facility

Swedish cultivated meat startup Re:meat has secured €1 million in an oversubscribed funding round. The investment comes from tech investors, family offices, and business angels focused on improving food system resilience. The round was led by impact investor 8+ Ventures and included contributions from Kristofer Forss, founder of Bastard Burgers; Judith Wolst, founder of SusTechable; Jon Persson and Erik Rosengren, co-founders of Söderberg & Partners; and Skåne Ventures. Additional investors from the food, technology, and investment sectors also participated. Jacob Schaldemose Peterson, CEO of Re:meat, stated that strengthening food system resilience is essential in times of crisis. “By investing in our technology today, we are building a future where nations are better prepared, more self-sufficient, and ready to face whatever geopolitical or climate-related challenges that …

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New Culture

© New Culture

New Culture’s Animal-Free Mozzarella Sparks $5M in Early Demand from Pizzerias Nationwide

Animal-free dairy company New Culture has secured more than $5 million in early demand for its mozzarella from pizza chefs and restaurant operators across the United States. The company’s product, made using precision fermentation rather than traditional dairy sources, is expected to launch at select pizzerias, starting with Los Angeles-based Pizzeria Mozza. The company has engaged with pizzerias ranging from independent operators to national chains, conducting product tastings and receiving feedback on performance in various pizza-making environments. Chefs have tested the cheese in wood-fired, gas, and electric ovens at temperatures ranging from 550°F to 900°F, reporting consistent results across a variety of pizza styles, including Neapolitan, New York, Detroit, and grandma-style pies. CEO and co-founder Matt Gibson states, “We hear from pizza chefs and operators …

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Tiba Tempeh

Founders Alexandra and Ross Longton. © Tiba Tempeh

Tiba Tempeh Secures Over £1.1M in Funding Following 736% Surge in Retail Sales Value

UK tempeh brand Tiba Tempeh has raised over £1.1 million in funding. The round was led by Maven Capital Partners through its Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, supported by the British Business Bank. Perfect Redd, the venture capital arm of Samworth Brothers, also made a follow-on investment. The funding will be used to enhance Tiba Tempeh’s marketing, sales, and product development, with new product launches planned for 2025. The news comes after Tiba Tempeh saw its retail sales value increase by a huge 736% in the past year, reportedly becoming the fastest growing brand in the UK chilled meat-free category*. The company has contributed £1.2 million in retail sales value over the past year, as demand for less processed meat alternatives continues to rise. Tiba …

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Investment Climate Podcast

© Investment Climate Podcast

Investment Climate Podcast: Daniel MacGowan von Holstein of Kynda, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews investors about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the investment playbooks of successful Climate Tech CEOs and Leading VCs. Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to numerous global food tech accelerators and companies, including alternative proteins and cellular agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech companies. This podcast is syndicated through our media partners; Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist. Episode 20: Kynda In this episode, I sat down with Dan, co-founder of Kynda, to explore how their fermentation technology is transforming food industry waste into high-value microprotein. We discuss Kynda’s journey from producing alternative meats to providing bioreactors for major food companies, how removing regulatory risk unlocked …

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new harvest

© Government of Canada

Canadian Government Invests $1M in Cellular Agriculture Research for the Prairies

The Government of Canada has allocated CAD 1 million in funding through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) to support the Cellular Agriculture Prairies Ecosystem (CAPE) Project, an initiative led by New Harvest Canada. The funding will be matched by contributions from regional partners, bringing the total investment to approximately CAD 2.4 million over three years. The CAPE Project is designed to establish a cellular agriculture research and innovation network across the Prairie provinces, with a focus on utilizing local agricultural resources for biomanufacturing. The initiative will involve collaboration between industry and academic institutions, including the University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, and Lethbridge Polytechnic, among others. Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan, states, “Alberta’s farmers and producers work hard to feed our communities and drive our …

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Plant Based Business Hour

© Plant Based Business Hour

Why the US Department of Energy Is Investing in Food Innovation: The Financial Case for Next-Generation Protein Production

The future of food is being shaped by unexpected players, and among them is the US Department of Energy (DOE). Traditionally focused on infrastructure, fuel sources, and energy grids, the DOE’s investment in alternative protein technology highlights a critical financial and environmental shift: food innovation is now a national energy priority. The recent episode of The Plantbased Business Hour hosted by VegTech Invest’s CEO, Elysabeth Alfano, featured Mike Messersmith, CEO of Tender Food, a company pioneering an innovative approach to plant-based meat production. Their breakthrough technology—spinning fava bean protein, rice protein, and oat fiber into fibrous, meat-like textures—represents a new frontier in food technology. But what makes this so relevant to the Department of Energy? Food innovation as an energy solution The DOE’s involvement in food production, investing $5 million in Tender Food as …

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Chinova Bioworks

Co-founders David Brown and Natasha Dhayagude ©Chinova Bioworks

Natural Products Canada Invests $1.7M in Seven Startups, Including Chinova Bioworks & Henri Nutrition

Natural Products Canada (NPC) has announced an investment of $1.7 million into seven Canadian startups producing innovative bio-based and natural products. The startups are: “Investment in a stronger Canada” The seven companies are all recipients of NPC’s Commercialization Programs, designed to accelerate the path to market. The programs focus on three areas to help companies attract partners and investors — product validation & scaling, talent, and competitive strategy. Called Proof of Concept, Access to Talent, and Fast Track to Financing, NPC’s programs provide startups with up to $350,000 in support. NPC works with the companies as a “strategic angel” throughout the application process, providing guidance and resources from its network of over 4000 investors, industry leaders, and experts. In previous years, NPC has invested in …

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Solar Foods

© Solar Foods

Solar Foods Advances Solein with New Funding and US Introduction of Protein Bites

Finnish food tech company Solar Foods has received an additional €10 million in funding from Business Finland to support the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of its Solein protein. The grant is part of the company’s Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) funding, which was approved by the European Commission. The funding increase is part of a €33.6 million tranche first approved in December 2022. Business Finland has adjusted the amount following an updated cost estimate and has extended the project deadline by one year to December 31, 2026. This additional support comes through a supplementary Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funding call aimed at projects related to low-carbon hydrogen production, storage, and carbon capture utilization. Investment in production facilities Solar Foods’ overall IPCEI …

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Arsenale Bioyards

© Arsenale Bioyards

Investors Back Arsenale Bioyards with $10M to Scale AI-Driven Precision Fermentation

Arsenale Bioyards has raised $10 million in seed financing to support its efforts in reducing biomanufacturing costs and accelerating industrial-scale adoption of bio-based alternatives. The funding round was led by Planet A and byFounders, with additional participation from CDP Ventures, Acequia Capital, Plug and Play, Gray Silo Ventures, and several industrial family offices. The company focuses on optimizing precision fermentation, a process that utilizes microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria to produce proteins and other compounds. While this technology has been widely applied in pharmaceuticals, its expansion into food and cosmetics has been constrained by high production costs. Arsenale’s end-to-end biomanufacturing platform integrates industrial-scale bioreactors with AI-driven software to reduce costs and time-to-market, with the company projecting cost reductions of up to 90%. Scaling from …

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A close up of a man's hands tearing apart a piece of 3D printer plant-based beef steak to show the muscle-like fibres.

© Steakholder Foods

Steakholder Foods Bolsters Financial Position Through Strategic Funding Deal

Steakholder Foods has secured new funding through a private placement agreement and an equity line of credit (ELOC) with Alumni Capital LP. The financing includes an immediate capital injection of approximately $1.25 million, alongside access to an additional $8 million in funding. The private placement agreement involves the sale of 985,028 American Depositary Shares (ADSs) at $1,269 per share. Alumni Capital LP receive warrants that allow the purchase of the same number of ADSs at a price of $2.00 per share. These warrants will be valid for five years. Financial flexibility through equity line Through the ELOC, Steakholder Foods can sell shares to Alumni Capital over time, providing financial flexibility while managing dilution for existing shareholders. The company intends to use the funds for general …

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Government of Canada

© Government of Canada

Canada Invests $5 Million in Konscious Foods to Scale Up Plant-Based Seafood

The Canadian government is investing $5 million in Konscious Foods, a Richmond-based company specializing in plant-based sushi and seafood alternatives. The funding, provided through PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program, will allow the company to expand production, increase exports, and create over 40 new jobs in British Columbia. The funding will also benefit the company’s Canadian suppliers, generating increased demand for locally grown ingredients and contributing to regional economic growth. Canada has been expanding its investment in domestic plant-based protein processing, including crops such as soybeans, peas, and faba beans. Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez said the investment supports entrepreneurs developing sustainable food products. He explained, “Just like so many communities across Canada, Richmond is home to entrepreneurs who are developing the creative, sustainable …

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Investment Climate Podcast Beans

© Investment Climate Podcast

Investment Climate Podcast: Ines Sánchez-Castillo Velge of Beans, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews investors about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the investment playbooks of successful Climate Tech CEOs and Leading VCs. Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to numerous global food tech accelerators and companies, including alternative proteins and cellular agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech companies. This podcast is syndicated through our media partners; Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist. Episode 19: Beans In this episode, I speak with Ines, founder of Beans, a startup tackling food waste by buying unsold inventory from FMCG giants like Nestlé and Unilever and reselling it at deep discounts—helping consumers save up to 50% on groceries while turning waste into profit. We …

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Beyond Burger

© Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat Cuts Costs and Exits China as Industry Responds to Market Challenges

Beyond Meat has reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results, revealing modest revenue growth in late 2024 alongside cost reductions and improved margins. However, the company continues to operate at a loss and has announced further restructuring efforts, including job cuts and the suspension of operations in China, as it targets profitability by the end of 2026. Beyond Meat generated $76.7 million in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 4% increase from the previous year. Full-year revenue declined by nearly 5% to $326.5 million. While the company reduced its net loss from $338.1 million in 2023 to $160.3 million in 2024, it remains unprofitable. CEO Ethan Brown stated that 2024 was a “pivotal year” for the company, noting improvements in cost control …

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food investing

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Top Three Reasons Investing in Food Innovation Will Take Center Stage Before 2030

Elysabeth Alfano is the CEO of VegTech™ Invest, an Advisor to a food innovation ETF. She is a consultant to multi-national companies focused on sustainability and an Advisor to C-Suite interested in understanding the growth and whitespaces in the food industry. She is also the host of the podcast, The Plantbased Business Hour on iTunes and vegconomist. In this guest post, Elysabeth Alfano discusses why investing in food innovation will take center stage before 2030. She explores the inefficiencies and externalized costs of the current global food system, the role of alternative proteins in addressing these challenges, and the growing investment opportunities within the sector. Top Three Reasons Investing in Food Innovation Will Take Center Stage Before 2030 Why would the food system ever change?  …

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Actual Veggies

© Actual Veggies

Actual Veggies Secures $7M Investment To Scale Distribution and Foodservice Partnerships

Actual Veggies, a company specializing in vegetable-based burgers, has raised $7 million in a Series A funding round to support its retail expansion and product development. The round was led by Relentless Consumer Partners, with additional participation from New Fare Partners, Todd Lachman (Sovos Brands founder and Sauer Brands chairman), and investor Ben Rawitz. In addition to expanding its retail footprint, Actual Veggies has secured a foodservice contract with Compass Group, which will introduce its products to corporate dining programs, hospitals, and schools, including at companies such as Amazon and Google. The company’s Black Bean Burger is also set to launch in all 82 Costco locations in the Southeast region next month. Co-founder and co-CEO Hailey Swartz stated, “We set out to create the most …

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uFraction8 team

© uFraction8

uFraction8 Secures £3.4M to Optimise Cell and Biomass Production

uFraction8, a Scottish biotech engineering company with a fully owned subsidiary in Poland, has secured £3.4 million in an investment round led by Foresight Group. The round also includes funding from the University of Edinburgh’s in-house venture investment fund Old College Capital, along with Scottish Enterprise, Alwyn Capital, Thia Ventures, and a grant from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. uFraction8 has developed microfiltration technology designed to optimise cell and biomass production, providing a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to traditional methods used in the production of food, feed, and bio-based products. This technology, which was originally developed at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, could enhance the affordability and scalability of bioprocessing. The new funding will be used to further commercialise the technology, and …

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Vivici

© Vivici

Vivici Secures €32.5M to Expand Its Precision Fermentation-Derived Dairy Proteins

Dutch ingredients startup Vivici has secured €32.5 million in a Series A funding round led by APG (on behalf of one of the world’s largest pension funds, ABP) and Invest-NL. The round also saw participation from InnovationQuarter, along with existing shareholders dsm-firmenich and Fonterra. The news comes after Vivici secured its first customer offtake agreements for dairy proteins made with precision fermentation. The funding will be used to expand into new international markets, launch a second dairy protein ingredient, and establish long-term manufacturing capabilities. Through its proprietary protein platform, ViviteinTM, Vivici hopes to complement the protein production of the dairy industry. The company’s first ingredient, ViviteinTM BLG, is targeted at consumers in the active nutrition category. It is suitable for use in products such as …

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