Umaro bacon in sandwich close up

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Investments & Acquisitions

Umaro Foods Raises $3.8M for Seaweed Bacon, is “Laser Focused on Undercutting Hormel and Smithfield on Cost” 

Berkeley California’s Umaro Foods, producer of bacon from the proprietary red protein, Umaro, announces a raise of $3.8 million following a reported sixfold growth in sales. With the financing — a combination of equity and grant funding — Umaro is set to launch its innovative, patent-holding product into retail and expand its seaweed platform technology platform. The equity funding round was led by AgFunder with participation from Alexandria Venture Investments, Climate Capital Bio, Ponderosa Ventures, and early investor and NBA athlete Chris Paul. The company states that this Seed 2 equity funding round, along with a grant from the DOE’s ARPA-E program for the application of Umaro’s seaweed processing technology to new products, “not only validate Umaro Foods’ innovative approach but also secure its position …

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Umaro Foods Vegan BLT

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Vegan Bacon Market to Soar to Almost $2.5Bn: Which Brands Are Helping Drive Demand?

Following a new FMI report which finds that the global vegan bacon market is projected to grow from US$1,280 Mn in 2022 to US$2,425.4 Mn by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.6%, we look at the most exciting producers in the current market and detail their current and most recent developments. Prime Roots – California Prime Roots creates plant-based bacon and a range of cold cuts based on the Japanese superprotein, koji fungus. When the product debuted in 2020 it sold out almost immediately, according to the founders. In 2021 Prime Roots introduced a full range of flavoured bacon products consisting of thick-cut strips in Black Pepper, Sriracha, Maple, and Hickory flavors, stating these were the first in the world of this kind. The …

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Umaro Bacon

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Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Umaro Foods’ Novel Seaweed Bacon Launches in Several Acclaimed US Restaurants

Umaro Foods is launching its seaweed-based bacon into three US restaurants, marking the first time consumers can try the brand’s innovative protein. Beginning June 15, San Francisco’s Michelin-starred Sorrel Restaurant, New York City’s Egg Shop, and Nashville’s D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe will feature UMARO bacon in several specialty dishes. The company plans to debut in more restaurants in the Bay Area, LA and beyond later this year.  Made from a proprietary formula of red algae, chickpeas, coconut and sunflower oil, Umaro’s protein offers the same crispy texture and umami flavor of conventional pork bacon, the company states. The brand’s patented extracted algae protein, UMARO™, also serves as a natural replacement for heme, the molecule that provides plant-based meat with a red color and meaty taste.  …

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Umaro Founders

Amanda Stiles & Beth Zotter ©Umaro Foods

Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Umaro Foods Makes $1M Deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank for Seaweed Bacon

Umaro Foods, producers of seaweed-based bacon, has secured an investment deal with Mark Cuban on the latest episode of Shark Tank. During the show, Cuban agreed to invest $1 million in the brand, which plans to launch its bacon product into foodservice later this year. Through the deal, Umaro joins a growing roster of successful plant-based food companies backed by Cuban, including Unreal Deli, Legendary Burger and pet food brand Wild Earth. The Shark Tank reveal comes just days after Umaro announced a $3 million raise in Series A funding for its innovative bacon. Founded by Berkeley scientists Beth Zotter and Amanda Stiles, Umaro uses proprietary red algae protein as a base for creating seaweed-based meats. The startup says it captures the natural umami taste …

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Umaro bacon

© Umaro Foods

Investments & Acquisitions

Berkeley’s Umaro Foods Secures $3M for Seaweed Bacon

Umaro Foods, formerly known as Trophic, has received $3 million in a round led by AgFunder for its proprietary red protein, Umaro. The company harnesses the umami flavors of seaweed to create plant-based bacon which is set to launch into food service in Q2 of 2022. The round saw participation from Alexandria Venture Investments, Impact Science Ventures, Ponderosa Ventures, Clear Current Capital, Ahimsa Foundation, and Sustainable Food Ventures. Co-founded in 2018 in Berkeley by CEO Beth Zotter, a tech entrepreneur with a background in renewable energy, and CTO Amanda Stiles PhD who formerly led the Research team at Ripple Foods; Umaro Foods is also developing technology for which the company received an ARPA-E grant in order to upscale seaweed farming on a vast level. “Seaweed …

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