Umaro bacon in sandwich close up

© Umaro Foods

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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Meat the Mushroom shark tank

© Meat the Mushroom

Investments & Acquisitions

Meat the Mushroom Secures $150,000 Investment from Shark Tank for Mushroom-Based Vegan Bacon

Baltimore-based startup Meat the Mushroom has secured a $150,000 investment from “Shark Tank” investors Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner. This deal, struck on the popular ABC show on Friday, gives the investors a 33.3% stake in the company, known for its clean-label vegan bacon alternative, Shroomacon. Founded in May 2021 by Marvin Montague Jr. and his wife Aleah Rae, Meat the Mushroom reflects Montague Jr.’s personal health journey. Transitioning to a vegan diet, he credits his diet change with overcoming an early diagnosis of heart disease and chronic asthma, according to a statement on the company’s website. This paved the way for Shroomacon, a simple product made from five ingredients: king oyster mushrooms, olive oil, natural smoke flavor, salt, and black pepper. Unlike many meat …

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Image courtesy of Cocuus

Printed Technology

Spain’s Cocuus Plans to Produce 1,000 Tonnes of 3D Printed Plant-Based Bacon in 2024

Cocuus, a Spanish food tech company producing 3D-printed plant-based foods at scale, has revealed an ambitious goal for 2024: to make 1,000 tonnes of 3D-printed plant-based bacon. With the global alternative proteins market expected to reach a minimum value of $290 billion by 2035, according to BCG and the Blue Horizon Corporation, the company aims to accelerate the production of 3D-printed plant-based bacon for distribution in retail and other channels. Early investors Cargill and Big Idea Ventures will support the food tech’s mass production of plant-based food.  Last year, Cocuus and partner company Foody’s opened what they claimed as the world’s first industrial-scale facility for 3D-printed plant-based meat in Northern Spain, equipped with Cocuus’ advanced printing technology: only one machine can produce 250 kilos of plant-based …

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3d bioprinted bacon launches at Carrefour

© Foodys

Printed Technology

Carrefour Spain Introduces “Clearly Superior” 3D Bio-Printed Plant-Based Bacon at Almost Same Price as Original

This May, two Spanish companies based in Navarra — Cocuus and Foodys — joined forces to market products made on an industrial scale from 3D bio-printed plant-based foods. This week, the first output of this alliance is already a reality: 100% vegetable bacon, which from this month will be on all Carrefour’s shelves in Spain. Together, Foodys and Cocuus are developing new plant-based and sustainable foods, along with the necessary technology to produce them and their subsequent industrialisation at scale and commercialisation. All under the umbrella of a technology they have called “Food to Data, Data to Food”, which was created with the aim of developing, producing and marketing healthy, tasty and sustainable food for this and future generations. The first of these advances to …

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REBL Eats and La Vie collaborate to introduce a plant-based pasta carbonara in Finland.

© La Vie

Products & Launches

REBL Eats Launches Plant-Based Pasta Carbonara Powered by La Vie in Finland’s Kesko Stores

In a first-ever collaboration, REBL Eats, a Finnish producer of vegan ready-meals, and La Vie, a French expert in alternative pork, have joined forces to create an old classic with a modern twist: plant-based pasta carbonara. REBL Eats’ new plant-based pasta carbonara features La Vie‘s famous veggie lardons to deliver the authentic flavors of the Italian recipe. La Vie leverages food tech to produce the carnivore-fooling plant-based bacon that has conquered France and many European countries, including the UK.  La Vie reports that the “lip-smacking dish” has been a success, with over 1000 Finnish foodies enjoying the vegan meal each week since it launched in 200 Kesko- K-Group stores across Finland. High-quality ready meals REBL Eats offers a range of ready meals, sandwiches, and oats puddings in …

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Vega Insiders develops "next generation" meat alternatives

© Grunchy/Vega Insiders

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Vega Insiders: “Next-Generation” Plant-Based Bacon & Kebab Meat From the Netherlands

Vega Insiders is a Dutch company producing a range of meat alternatives, most notably plant-based bacon brand Grunchy and plant-based kebab meat brand Holy Cow. The company says it is currently focusing on a small product range in order to “bring meat substitutes to the next level”. Grunchy and Holy Cow are described as “next-generation” meat alternatives that “go a significant step further than the traditional first-generation meat substitutes”. According to Vega Insiders, the products have been developed using advanced technology to replicate the flavour, texture, and appearance of meat. The company claims it does not launch its products until “everything is right”. The products Described as “real plant-based bacon”, Grunchy is sold in three varieties: slices, strips, and pre-baked streaky bacon. Made from fava …

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Hooray Foods Improved AWESOME Vegan Bacon

©Hooray Foods

Company News

Celebrating 4 Years and 5 Million Strips of Hooray Bacon Amid Sad News

In a sad turn of events, Hooray Foods, producer of plant-based bacon, announced the closure of its operations yesterday, after four years in the industry and 5 million strips of Hooray Bacon sold. A statement from the team said, “With your support, we reached our goal of national distribution in grocery stores and restaurants; however, the economics of running a company of this size simply do not match our revenue, and we are unable to continue producing our product for sale.” Hooray Foods’ achievements Hooray Foods launched its Hooray Bacon on World Vegan Day in 2020, driven by a mission to “save animals from the food system, one pig at a time.” And with the company’s many achievements over the last few years, it has …

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La Vie crowdfunding campaign billboard

© La Vie

Fundraising

La Vie Announces €1M Crowdfunding Campaign, Launches Vegan Ham & Virtual Restaurant

La Vie, a French producer of plant-based pork products, has announced a new crowdfunding campaign and product launch as it continues to see rapid growth across Europe. The campaign will take place on Crowdcube from September 7 to 28, with the aim of raising €1 million. It follows a period of considerable success for the company, with 2.5 million products sold in the past 18 months — equivalent to one every 12 seconds. Despite challenging market conditions, La Vie has seen 379% year-on-year growth, and can now be found at 4,600 retail stores and 3,000 restaurants across Europe. In the UK, the brand has seen 144% growth since its launch last year, and is present at major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Ocado. Through …

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HappyVore launches plant-based bacon pieces (allumettes)

© HappyVore

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

HappyVore Launches Plant-Based Bacon Pieces Made From Pea Protein

French alt meat brand HappyVore has launched plant-based allumettes — matchstick-shaped bacon pieces said to be ideal for use in dishes such as quiche and carbonara. The allumettes feature a smoked taste and are made with just seven ingredients — textured pea protein, water, natural flavors, soluble corn fiber, salt, red beet, and carrot concentrate. They are rich in protein and fibre, contain less than 3% fat, and can be cooked in three to five minutes. The products add to HappyVore’s extensive range of meat alternatives, which includes fish sticks, breaded supremes, meatballs, sausages, steak, nuggets, and more. In April, the brand reported a +40.2% growth in value sales, putting it at second place in the French plant-based delicatessen sector. Repeat purchase rates were at …

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La Vie bacon close up

© La Vie

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

The Technology Behind the Success of Carnivore-Fooling Vegan Bacon

By channeling cutting-edge technology, food tech companies make vegan bacon that looks, tastes and feels like pork bacon, convincing flexitarians and carnivores alike. Crispiness, moisture, bite, and flavor are the top challenges R&D and scientific teams must overcome to win over consumers. According to Coherent Market Insights, vegan bacon is becoming increasingly popular because companies have developed healthier alternatives. The global vegan bacon market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% between 2022 and 2032, totaling around US$ 2,425.4 million by 2032. Let’s look at the technology behind some of the most popular brands of vegan bacon. Hooray Foods — emulsion tech San Francisco-based Hooray Foods launched its first plant-based bacon in 2020, claiming that it rivaled the taste and texture of pork …

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Hooray Foods Improved AWESOME Vegan Bacon

©Hooray Foods

Delivery Services

Hooray Foods’ Plant-Based Bacon Now Available on Hungryroot and Purple Carrot

Hooray Foods announces its award-winning plant-based bacon is now available via Hungryroot and Purple Carrot, two US meal kit and grocery services. By expanding its online footprint, Hooray says its bacon can now be accessed by more consumers without needing to visit a physical store.  At Hungryroot, an all-in-one recipe and grocery service, Hooray Foods’ bacon will be incorporated into step-by-step recipes for dishes like BLTs and macaroni and cheese. Customers can also select the bacon as a single grocery item. Vegan meal kit leader Purple Carrot will add Hooray Foods’ bacon to its diverse selection of grocery offerings, and customers can also add the item to any recipe.  Named “Best Breakfast Meat” Made with a “wholesome combination” of ingredients, Hooray Foods’ bacon is said to …

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Dr Arne Ewerbeck, The Raging Pig Co

Dr Arne Ewerbeck, ©The Raging Pig Co

Interviews

The Raging Pig Co: “On a Mission to Remove 1.5 Billion Pigs From Our Global Food System”

When it comes to bold, eye-catching branding, Hamburg-based Raging Pig Co is right there in your face. Along with its cocky tagline, “The pig-less bacon that even your dad will love,” Raging Pig is impossible to ignore. And who can resist the idea of “mouthwatering pigless bacon”? On a mission to eliminate pigs from the food system, Raging Pig was co-founded by Constantin Klass and Dr. Arne Ewerbeck, who set out in 2021 on “an exciting journey to merge the power of bacon, foodtech, and pop culture to drive the positive change our world needed yesterday”. We spoke with Dr Arne who told us about the importance of branding and messaging, two recent NPDs, and some “secret” products set to follow. Also, the world’s largest …

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The Vegetarian Butcher Vegan Bacon NoBacon 2.0

Image courtesy of Unilever

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Unilever’s Vegetarian Butcher Unveils New Vegan Bacon With Patented Fat Technology

Following Unilever’s recent announcement that it aims to achieve €1.5 billion in sales from plant-based products by 2025, the multinational contacts vegconomist with news that its plant-based meat brand The Vegetarian Butcher has launched plant-based bacon, “NoBacon 2.0”, which it says features a new patented fat tissue technology that mimics the same texture, oil release and translucency of real bacon. Unilever states that its food scientists have focused on using plant oils to deliver plant-based bacon that is crispier, juicier, and has 20x more fat release meaning the product can be fried without the need for additional oil. Like the original NoBacon product, this new iteration is made from soy and wheat protein. Unilever claims that the new bacon is unique in terms of fat, …

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Raging_Pig_Pig_Human

© The Raging Pig Company

Food Service

Raging Pig Launches ‘Raging Bacon’ at German Burger Chain Vincent Vegan

The Raging Pig Company announces the launch of its ‘Raging Bacon’ at Germany’s largest vegan burger chain, Vincent Vegan. The team at Raging Pig has developed an innovative production process that, among other things, harnesses side streams from the food industry. With this innovative product, the company aims to meet the growing demand for plant-based alternatives to animal products and offer authentic alternatives to traditional animal bacon. After working with selected local restaurant partners in Hamburg, the company is now taking the next steps in expansion as its vegan bacon rolls out at Vincent Vegan in all restaurants across Germany. Topi Rohde, co-Founder of Vincent Vegan, says of the new collaboration, “We’ve been searching for a long time for a plant-based bacon alternative that deserves …

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Libre Foods bacon

© Libre Foods

Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

Libre Foods Launches “EU’s First” Mushroom Bacon in Spanish Restaurants

Spain’s Libre Foods has unveiled a bacon alternative made from mushrooms. According to the startup, the product is the first of its kind to launch in the European Union. The bacon is said to be made entirely from natural ingredients, with 70% less fat, 52% fewer calories, and 18% less salt than pork bacon. It will initially launch at burger restaurants in the Spanish cities of Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. Positive feedback While other companies have developed bacon alternatives made from mycelium (the root structure of fungi), Libre’s bacon is made from the mushroom itself, ie the fruiting body of the fungus. The product has already been showcased at Vegan Women Summit and the New Food Conference, where feedback has been extremely positive. “There’s something …

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Wheaty's vegan meat b

© Wheaty

Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Wheaty “Redefines the Vegan Sausage” in Celebration of 30th Anniversary

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the pioneering vegan meat brand Wheaty has announced new NPDs — two bratwurst-style sausages — that will be unveiled at BIOFACH 2023 this February in Nuremberg, Germany. “Two upcoming Wheaty products redefine the vegan sausage – again,” declares the German brand. “These two products set themselves apart from legacy vegan sausages through an incredible taste, unmatched juiciness, and an edible vegan peel that can be fried in the pan along with the sausage,” says Wheaty. Europe’s alt meat pioneer The Wheaty brand was developed by TOPAS, a European pioneer in the alt meat space, offering meat and sausages made with organic wheat protein, founded by Klaus Gaiser way back in 1993. According to Wheaty, the brand’s commitment to following EU …

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MyBacon package

©MyForest Foods

Company News

MyForest Foods Triples MyBacon Availability, Grows Production and Prepares to Launch First Jerky

Mycelium innovator MyForest Foods Co. announces a series of major growth milestones, including the expanded availability of its flagship MyBacon and the launch of its second product, MyJerky, later this year. The company also reveals new progress in mycelium production and growing its R&D team. MyBacon, MyForest’s best-selling mycelium bacon product, is now available at 32 retailer and foodservice locations across New York and Massachusetts. The news follows MyBacon’s initial debut in New York City with two retail partners in November 2022. The current list of partners includes: A Matter of Health (Upper East Side), Amish Market (East Village), Brooklyn Fare (West Village), Elm Wellness (Greenwich Village), Food For Health (Upper East Side) and Garden Gourmet (The Bronx).  In addition, MyForest announces it is entering …

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Veggie Grill Bacon Cup

©Veggie Grill

Gastronomy & Food Service

Hooray Foods’ Crispy Vegan Bacon Now Served at All Veggie Grill Locations

Alt-bacon brand Hooray Foods announces its innovative plant-based bacon is now available at Veggie Grill – the world’s leading fast-casual vegan restaurant chain. The bacon can now be ordered at all of Veggie Grill’s 35 US locations. Veggie Grill is featuring the crispy bacon – made from rice flour, pea starch and coconut oil – in a signature vegan BLT Avocado Croissant, with romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, Dijonnaise, and mashed avocado on a croissant roll. The bacon is also available as an add-on to a variety of other menu items, such as salads, sandwiches, and sides. “It’s a huge win for us to be able to bring Hooray bacon to a family of restaurants that share our commitment to offering delicious and sustainable plant-based options,” …

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Hooray Foods Improved AWESOME Vegan Bacon

©Hooray Foods

Investments & Finance

Hooray Foods Opens First-Ever WeFunder Campaign to Reach Price Parity with Animal Bacon

Plant-based meat innovator Hooray Foods announces the launch of its first WeFunder equity crowdfunding campaign. Officially opening Jan. 25th, Hooray says the Community Round gives its customers and fans an opportunity to invest for as little as $100 in exchange for company equity and product perks. Ahead of the public launch, the brand says its campaign preview is now live for the company’s biggest supporters.  Wefunder is a platform that allows the general public to invest in pre-IPO startups alongside venture capitalists. Upon reaching this Community Round’s goal of securing $500,000, Hooray says it plans to expand distribution for its innovative plant-based bacon. The company will also increase research and development efforts to help it fill the market gap for indulgent plant-based meats. Achieving price …

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Y'All Vegan Jerky Products

©Y'alls Foods

Company News

Plant Jerky Brand All Y’alls Foods Reports 100% Year-Over-Year Sales Growth

Plant protein brand All Y’alls Foods announces it has achieved it highest sales month yet, with Amazon sales of its jerky and bacon bits exceeding last year’s totals by 100%.  Based in Texas, All Y’alls sells a range of products including It’s Jerky Y’all and Big Crunchy Bacony Bits. The company states its online sales are experiencing strong growth, especially on Amazon, where year-over-year sales more than doubled in November.   “Amazon has grown into a vital part of All Y’alls sales,” said All Y’alls Foods founder and CEO Brett Christoffel. “The size and reach of the audience, the number of folks seeking what we offer, and the repeat purchases have made it a viable channel that continues to support our growth in the plant-based proteins …

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