US-based bee-free honey producer MeliBio has received a strategic investment from Future Food Fund, a venture capital arm of Japanese food distributor Oisix. The funding will be used to fuel MeliBio’s mission of transforming the honey industry.
MeliBio’s bee-free honey is made using plant science and precision fermentation. By producing honey without invasive honey bees, the product helps to protect wild bee populations, which are vital for preserving biodiversity and natural habitats. The plant-based honey could also help to improve supply chain resilience.
The investment comes as MeliBio’s flagship product, Mellody, sees rapid growth across the US. The brand has recently entered food service partnerships with Palmetto Superfoods and Joyride Pizza in California, along with Moto Pizza in Seattle. Additionally, MeliBio has expanded its distribution US-wide through major networks such as KeHE, UNFI, Sysco-owned Greco and Sons, and ACE Natural.
“This investment from Future Food Fund is an exciting step forward for MeliBio,” said Darko Mandich, CEO and co-founder of MeliBio. “It aligns perfectly with our mission to not only transform the honey industry but also to make a measurable impact on biodiversity and the environment. As we scale, we’re proud to contribute to the protection of wild bee species and the reversal of harmful environmental practices that threaten them. With every spoonful of Mellody, everyone becomes a true hero in protecting our precious bees.”
Confronting ecological challenges
Last month, MeliBio secured a patent in Germany, protecting its method of replicating honey with plant-based ingredients as the company prepares for further expansion within the EU. The honey alternative was previously launched at Hofer stores in Austria and Switzerland earlier this year under the name “Vegan Hanny”.
In March, MeliBio announced a strategic collaboration with the continuous fermentation platform Pow.Bio to escalate its precision fermentation capabilities. The partnership was described as a critical phase in MeliBio’s scale-up efforts, enabling the production of bee proteins and enzymes through fermentation technologies.
“Our reliance on managed bees for honey production is pushing native pollinators to the brink,” Mandich told vegconomist last year. “The overabundance of managed bees disrupts the natural balance, leading to reduced diversity and abundance of wild pollinators. The honey industry must confront these ecological challenges head-on. We need to move beyond conventional practices that perpetuate pollinator gentrification and explore innovative, sustainable solutions. Investing in technology that allows for honey production without reliance on mass-managed bee colonies is one such solution.”
