Israel

The Brevel team

The Brevel team. © Aviram Waldman
Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Brevel Expands Seed Round to $25M to Accelerate Commercialization of Microalgae Proteins

Climate food tech company Brevel has secured over $5 million in a seed extension up-round, taking the total amount of seed funding it has raised to $25 million. The capital will be used to develop microalgae proteins for food and beverage applications and accelerate the commercialization of the company’s products. The extension is based on exercises of warrants investors were granted in the initial closing of the seed round in June 2023. Notable investors who decided to increase their share in the company include NevaTeam Partners, Siddhi Capital, the European Union’s EIC Fund, Good Protein Fund, The Food Tech Lab, and PVS Investments. Additionally, several new investors were granted access to the extension under the same terms. With the help of the funding, Brevel will …

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PoLoPo team

© PoLoPo
Plant Cell Cultivation

PoLoPo Expands Lab Capacity, Completes Successful Outdoor Field Trial of Protein-Producing Potatoes

PoLoPo, a company specializing in molecular farming, has announced two key developments: a successful field trial producing five tons of protein-rich potatoes and the expansion of its lab capabilities to meet growing demand for protein samples. The company’s trial, which exceeded initial expectations by yielding approximately five tons of potatoes—two tons more than anticipated—marks a significant milestone in its efforts to scale production of functional proteins. These potatoes are engineered to contain both ovalbumin and patatin, a protein native to the plant. Despite being genetically engineered, the protein powder derived from these potatoes contains no genetic material and is classified as non-GMO. In addition to the field trial success, PoLoPo has upgraded its laboratory facilities, enabling it to supply hundreds of grams of protein powders …

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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
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

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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bioreactor platform ever after foods

Image courtesy of Ever After Foods
Manufacturing & Technology

Ever After Foods and Bühler Partner to Launch Commercial-Scale Cultivated Meat Production System

Ever After Foods, the developer of a proprietary technology platform for cultivated meat production, has announced a collaboration with Bühler, a global company producing processing equipment for foods and advanced materials. Together, the two companies will work to bring a commercial-scale cultivated meat production system to market. The system will reportedly allow for production at a ten-fold lower scale than existing technologies. “The global food chain faces significant challenges if we are to successfully and sustainably feed our growing population,” said Ian Roberts, CTO at Bühler. “How we produce and consume protein will continue to change, and requires a transition of our protein system to deliver this. Powering cultivated meat production at scale with a patented production system, Ever After Foods will help the food …

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Steakholder Foods eel

© Steakholder Foods
Investments & Finance

Steakholder Foods Secures $250,000 Grant Installment for 3D-Printed Eel Alternatives

Steakholder Foods, a company developing meat and fish alternatives using 3D printing technology, has secured a third payment of $250,000 from the Singapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (SIIRD). The company has now received $740,000 of the $1 million grant it has been awarded by SIIRD. Steakholder Foods received its first grant installment in March 2024 after successfully producing 3D-printed hybrid fish alternatives using its proprietary technologies. The second payment was disbursed in November 2024 in response to the company’s creation of 3D-printed plant-based fish and eel. The most recent installment corresponds to significant advancements in the flavor and texture of the 3D-printed eel. The company’s research in this area involves model planning, material development, premix formulation, and the creation of the final printed product. Advancing food …

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SuperMeat cultivated chicken

© SuperMeat
Cultivated Meat

Stämm and SuperMeat Partner to Improve Efficiency and Scalability in Cultivated Chicken

Argentine biotechnology company Stämm has partnered with Israeli cultivated meat producer SuperMeat to enhance biomanufacturing processes for cultivated chicken. The collaboration, supported by mutual investor Varana Capital, will focus on integrating Stämm’s continuous bioprocessing technology into SuperMeat’s production system. The partnership will benchmark the application of Stämm’s Bioprocessor, an automated, bubble-free bioreactor designed to improve efficiency in cell culture. Previously used in biologics manufacturing, the technology has demonstrated a 15-fold increase in volumetric productivity and cost reductions in stem cell production. The pilot will evaluate how the system can be applied to cultivated meat, with a particular focus on muscle fiber growth, elongation, and the formation of mature tissue. “In the coming months, a joint team will benchmark and evaluate how to integrate our Bioprocessor …

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Brevel partners with CBC Group

Image supplied.
Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Brevel Partners With CBC Group to Produce Microalgae-Enriched Beverages at Scale

Microalgae protein producer Brevel has signed a development and commercialization agreement with Israel’s Central Bottling Company (CBC Group) to develop functional beverages and dairy alternatives. The ten-year purchase agreement will see Brevel supply CBC Group with microalgae protein, oils, and antioxidants. As part of the alliance, CBC Group made a strategic investment in Brevel’s most recent funding round. To cultivate microalgae, Brevel uses a “breakthrough process” combining light with sugar fermentation in indoor bioreactors. This allows for the production of large quantities of microalgae without genetic modification. Microalgae is naturally rich in protein, lipids, fiber, and bioactive antioxidants derived from photosynthesis. Brevel’s process produces a neutral-tasting white powder consisting of 60-70% microalgae protein concentrate. Its functional properties are said to replicate the textures, flavors, and …

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Portrait, Passfoto, Iris Dahlem

Iris Dahlem Image courtesy Wacker
Ingredients

WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS: “We’re Making Cultivated Meat Cost-Effective and Scalable, Bringing It Closer to Supermarket Shelves”

WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS is playing a pivotal role in advancing cultivated meat and seafood production through innovative biotech solutions. Leading this effort is Iris Maria Dahlem, Innovation Manager and head of the Cultivated Meat project, which focuses on developing key components for the industry. With a background in nutritional science and extensive experience in the food sector, Dahlem has been working for the past two years on solutions to address challenges such as scalability, cost-efficiency, and quality. In this interview, she shares insights into WACKER’s contributions to the cultivated meat space, the industry’s push toward price parity, and the importance of successful partnerships. Wacker is renowned for its expertise in biotechnology and chemical innovations. How are Wacker’s solutions specifically supporting the development of cultivated meat production? …

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Pluri

© Pluri
Company News

Pluri Secures $6.5 Million Investment and Acquires Majority Stake in Cell-Based Cacao Producer Kokomodo

Biotechnology firm Pluri Inc., a company specializing in cell-based technology, has announced a $6.5 million private investment led by global investor Alejandro Weinstein. As part of the transaction, Weinstein will join Pluri’s Board of Directors. Concurrently, the company is acquiring a 71% stake in Israeli AgTech firm Kokomodo Ltd., which focuses on cultivated cacao production, for $4.5 million in common shares. The proceeds from the investment will be used to bolster Pluri’s working capital and further its efforts in cell-based technology development. Simultaneously, Pluri will acquire Kokomodo Ltd. by purchasing a 71% stake from Chutzpah Holdings Ltd. and Plantae Ltd., both controlled by Weinstein. The acquisition, valued at $4.5 million, will be settled in 976,139 Pluri common shares. The deal positions Pluri to expand its …

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PoLoPo

© PoLoPo
Plant Cell Cultivation

PoLoPo Moves to Field Cultivation of Bioengineered Protein Potatoes, Boosting Capacity to Three Tons

Molecular farming startup PoLoPo has transitioned from greenhouse-scale production to large-scale field cultivation of genetically modified potatoes engineered to produce high levels of protein, including ovalbumin, a key component of egg protein. This move increases the company’s production capacity from tens of kilograms to an estimated three tons per harvest. PoLoPo’s protein-producing potato plants are part of the company’s proprietary approach to molecular farming. The plants are engineered through metabolic engineering techniques to produce and store proteins in their tubers. These proteins are then extracted and dried into functional protein powders for use in various applications, including food production. The potatoes, now being grown in fields located in the Eshkol region of southern Israel, are expected to yield three tons of product by spring 2025. …

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Israel's Gavan Technologies has raised $8 million in an A funding round to commercialize Fatrix, a plant protein-based fat that replaces butter.

© Nimrod Saunders
Investments & Finance

Gavan Raises $8M to Introduce Clean Label “One-to-One” Butter Alternative in Europe

Israel’s Gavan, a food tech company focused on replacing animal fat with sustainable alternatives, announces it has raised $8 million in a Series A funding round. The funds will be used to establish a new European pilot production facility for its flagship ingredient, Fatrix, a plant protein-based fat that replaces butter “one-to-one” in bakery and dairy alternatives. The site is scheduled to commence operations in April 2025, aiming to debut its “cutting-edge” fat solution in the European food market. The round was led by MoreVC, with participation from Lever VC, EIT Food, and DarkBoot Group, a private equity firm involved in Gavan’s incubation. Co-founder and CEO Itai Cohen, shares, “This funding round opens the door for Gavan to enter the European food market, where we …

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Cocoa-tech startup Celleste Bio has raised $4.5 million in a seed round to produce its cell-cultured cocoa ingredients for the food industry.

© Celleste Bio
Investments & Finance

Celleste Bio Secures $4.5M to Scale Production of Cell-Cultured Cocoa, Mondelēz VC Arm Participates

Cocoa-tech startup Celleste Bio has raised $4.5 million in a seed round to produce its cell-cultured cocoa ingredients for the food industry. The round was led by early-stage investor Supply Change Capital, with the participation of Mondelēz International’s venture capital arm SnackFutures Ventures, Consensus Business Group, Barrel Venture Partners, The Trendlines Group, and Regba Agriculture. The new funds will help Celleste Bio boost its research and development, infrastructure, and technological capabilities to achieve commercial scale. Michal Beressi Golomb, CEO of Celleste Bio, shared, “Climate change and conventional farming practices are depleting our rainforests, resulting in unprecedented environmental and financial challenges to grow enough cocoa to meet the needs of a $100B — and growing — chocolate industry. This round provides us with the financial and strategic …

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Israel's Aleph Farms has submitted a regulatory approval application to sell its cultivated beef products in Thailand, marking the country's first application for cultivated meat.

© Aleph Farms
Cultivated Meat

Aleph Farms Submits Thailand’s First Cultivated Meat Application, Eyes 2026 Market Launch

Israel’s Aleph Farms has submitted a regulatory approval application to sell its cultivated beef products in Thailand, marking the country’s first application for a cultivated meat product. The safety dossier was filed to the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) under the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for novel foods. While timelines can be uncertain, a novel food regulatory process can take around 18 months, which means the regulatory green light could arrive mid-2026. Upon receiving approval, Aleph Farms plans to sell its flagship product, the Petit Steak, under the Aleph Cuts brand with partner and investor Thai Union, a global leader in animal protein. Co-founder and CEO Didier Toubia shares, “Like many of its neighboring countries, Thailand currently imports the majority …

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W-Cycle

© W-Cycle

Packaging

W-Cycle and Melhoramentos Develop Freezer-to-Oven Compostable Packaging that Breaks Down in 100 Days

W-Cycle Ltd., an Israeli clean-tech company specializing in sustainable packaging, has entered into a strategic partnership with Brazil’s Melhoramentos to produce compostable food containers using high-performance cellulose fibers and agricultural waste materials. Under the terms of the agreement, valued at a minimum of USD 3.45 million over an initial three-year period, W-Cycle will provide Melhoramentos with its proprietary food-grade packaging formula and consulting services. These resources will enable Melhoramentos to produce high-performance biodegradable packaging using renewable materials. The company will also integrate its own cellulose fibers, sourced from its extensive forestry operations covering more than 80 million square meters. The new packaging will be designed to offer key features like grease resistance, moisture-proofing, and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. This makes it a viable …

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Steakholder Foods 3D bio-prints the world's first cultivated fish fillet

© Shlomi Arbiv
Cultivated Seafood

UMAMI Bioworks and Steakholder Foods Successfully Scale 3D-Printed Cultivated Fish, Poised to Expand the Seafood Market

Singapore’s UMAMI Bioworks and Israel’s Steakholder Foods have completed a two-year R&D collaboration to develop a scalable process for 3D-printed cultivated fish production, funded by the Singapore-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (SIIRD). According to the companies, the partnership has “laid the groundwork” for producing structured cultivated fish fillets at scalable volumes using 3D printing technology and customized bio-inks, marking a significant step toward bringing these products to the market. As part of the project, a grouper fillet, claimed to be the world’s first 3D bio-printed cultivated fish fillet, was unveiled in early 2023. Building on this innovation, the companies have developed a portfolio of prototypes to showcase the versatility of 3D printing and cultivated cells in making alternatives that match the characteristics of traditional seafood. Mihir …

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Imagindairy secures self-affirmed GRAS status for animal-free dairy proteins

© Tal Shahar
Fermentation

Imagindairy Receives Regulatory Approval From Israeli Ministry of Health for Animal-Free Milk Proteins

Imagindairy, a producer of animal-free milk proteins made using precision fermentation, has received regulatory approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health. The approval confirms that Imagindairy’s products are safe for consumer use and allows the company to market them within Israel. Imagindairy’s products are identical to cow’s milk proteins in taste and nutritional value, but are made without the use of animals. They can be used to produce a variety of animal-free dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream; these have a much lower environmental impact than conventional dairy products, and are also free of cholesterol, lactose, and hormones. The regulatory approval in Israel comes after Imagindairy’s animal-free whey protein achieved self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status in the US last year. …

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Plantbased Business Hour

The Demand for Plant-based, Juicy Steak with Amos Golan of Chunk Foods

Founder and CEO of Chunk Foods, Amos Golan, joins the CEO of VegTech Invest and host Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the demand and success of thick, juicy, plant-based steaks and the global outlook for foodservice today. Specifically, they discussed: Chunk Foods seemed to pop on the scene out of nowhere. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you started Chunk in Israel? What has the reception been like in the US? Why initially foodservice only, and how big of a push is clean label? While I am sure IP is proprietary, what can you tell us of your fermentation technique and your production techniques to get whole cuts of meat? We speak endlessly of the US …

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Forsea's cultivated eel

© Liran Maimon
Cultivated Seafood

Forsea Achieves “Record-Breaking” Cell Density in Cultivated Eel Prodution

Cultivated seafood startup Forsea Foods announces a significant tech breakthrough for producing cultivated eel at scale. The Israeli startup claims it has reached a “record-breaking” cell density of over 300 million cells/ml using minimal growth media, setting a new industry standard. “This is the highest cell density recorded in the field, moving Forsea to the forefront of cultured seafood production efficiency,” the startup said. Forsea’s cultivated seafood platform implements organoid technology to create a natural growth environment for animal cells, forming three-dimensional tissue structures (whole cuts) without scaffolding. The technology also simplifies production, enhances scalability, and reduces the need for expensive growth factors. Moria Shimoni, CTO of Forsea, comments, “The breakthrough to this level of cell density highlights the strength of our organoid technology. It’s …

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Brevel's is ready to operate its FOAK facility to showcase its fermentatio tech for producing microalgae proteins.

Image courtesy of Brevel
Algae, Microalgae & Seaweed

Brevel Launches FOAK Facility to Demonstrate Microalgae Protein Fermentation at Commercial Scale

Israel’s Brevel, a biomass fermentation startup producing microalgae proteins, announces that it has completed the construction of its demonstration facility and secured two commercial agreements with leading F&B companies. The startup inaugurated a new site in Southern Israel this June, featuring headquarters, R&D space, and proprietary industrial-scale fermenters. The facility has been designed to implement a First-Of-A-Kind (FOAK) strategy to showcase the fermentation process at a commercial scale for the first time. With the FOAK strategy, Brevel aims to demonstrate that its fermentation technology is viable for real-world applications, reducing the perceived risk for investors, customers, and partners. “Once such validation is achieved, the focus shifts to operational and market challenges, significantly reducing overall risk,” Brevel comments. Collaborations to realize alt proteins Brevel says it has …

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SuperMeat's cultivated burgers, grilled

Image courtesy of SuperMeat
Cultivated Meat

SuperMeat’s 100% Cultivated Chicken Hits Price Parity with Premium Options at $11.79/lb

SuperMeat today announces it is able to produce 100% cultivated chicken (85% muscle and 15% fat) at $11.79 per pound when produced at a large scale, matching the cost, taste, and texture of premium US pasture-raised chicken. Additionally, the company claims it can produce three pounds of cultivated meat — equal to the amount of edible meat from one chicken — in around two days. In contrast, it takes 42 days to raise, slaughter, and process a chicken. The company says that advancements in its proprietary production process have led to these breakthroughs, demonstrating that the scalability and viability of cultivated meat are possible. “Current sentiment around cultivated meat includes skepticism regarding its scalability and market readiness, with concerns that cultivated meat may be more …

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