Array Ventures’ Post

🌱🥩 PROJECT EADEN: ‘THE FIRST MEAT ALTERNATIVE TO GET SO CLOSE TO ANIMAL MEAT’ So when someone like Jörg Förstera, owner of Berlin butchery Kumpel & Keule GmbH, endorses a plant-based meat product, it’s worth paying attention. After all, the only way animal-free meat producers will have an impact is by appealing to meat-eaters – and the people who sell and cook it for them. “For me, the meats from PROJECT EADEN are the first alternatives that get extremely close to the taste profile of animal meat,” says Förstera. “Really impressive.” The German startup – founded in 2022 by Dr. David Schmelzeisen, Hubertus Bessau, and Jan Wilmking – first made global headlines last year, when it came out of stealth to announce an oversubscribed €10.1M seed round, featuring EU food and climate VC stalwarts including Creandum, Atlantic Food Labs, Shio Capital and Mudcake. In less than two years, the company has successfully used its technology to create a wide range of whole cuts including sausages, pork loin, and beef steaks, “a full meat range for everyday life” as the company puts it. But also, ham. “Our technology essentially uses two main types of fibres to make delicious meat-like products,” explains Wilmking, the company’s managing director. “First, we use strong and thin fibres for connective tissue, which don’t stick together much, but help make the meat structure and bite experience feel real. Then, a large part of our product is made from a cheaper, juicier fibre that sticks together just enough to hold meat juice in small spaces, making it taste tender and yummy, like real meat.” Unlike many others in the industry, Project Eaden is opting for a retail-first approach and has secured a listing with a leading supermarket chain in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) region. The first products are slated for a launch in early 2025. Learn more about Project Eaden in our exclusive interview with co-founder Jan Wilmking: https://lnkd.in/ekPDBUZ6 #GreenQueen #altprotein #futurefood #plantbasedmeat #foodtech #innovation #sustainability #foodsystems

Farm To Plate has been awarded The TITAN Awards in both, Platinum and Gold categories for Product Of The Year and Environmental Sustainability. This prestigious recognition highlights Farm To Plate's commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the food industry. By bridging the gap between farmers and consumers through cutting-edge technology, Farm To Plate is setting new standards for quality control and environmental responsibility. This dual accolade underscores the company's role as a leader in transforming the food supply chain ecosystem, making a positive impact on both the market and the planet. Click the link to see the details https://lnkd.in/gdFxzCTV #foodsupplychain #supplychain #supplychainmanagement #supplychainsolutions #supplychaintech #techforgood #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment

We have some very exciting news: we’re announcing the launch of our waitlist for the exclusive opportunity to try Magic Valley’s cultivated meat. Since Magic Valley was founded in 2020, our team has been hard at work developing healthy and delicious real meat products that don’t harm a single animal. Despite the magnitude of the challenge of creating products that replicate conventionally farmed meat, we’ve succeeded in developing delicious cultivated pork and lamb products that are identical in taste and texture, with these launches making headlines in mainstream media. We’ve held exclusive tastings and gathered meaningful feedback from a diverse array of guests representing various sectors with a keen interest in future technology, future food tech, and the alternative protein industry - including food critics and chefs. We’ve also conducted consumer research showing keen interest. The consensus is clear - cultivated meat is here to stay, and it will be a game-changer when it launches in the market. We’re making strides in achieving our goal of revolutionising the future of meat, and we are eternally grateful for the support of our passionate, mission-aligned community throughout our journey so far. This is why we’re thrilled to announce the opportunity to join our waitlist for the exclusive opportunity to have a taste of the future of food. Do you want to be the first to experience our newest cultivated meat products before they hit the market? Do you want to impact the future, with your feedback helping shape the future of sustainable food production? Sign up now and be a part of shaping the future of the food industry! https://lnkd.in/g6rPSEuE #startup #cultivatedmeat #alternativeproteins Paul Bevan Andrew Laslett Jacob Goodwin Wendy Chua Ella Jenkins

Foodbytes Premium Report: Improving F&A Logistics from Field to Plate In the face of current consumer price inflation, logistics takes center stage for F&A companies aiming to improve the bottom line. Innovative startups are tackling the inefficiencies of fragmented food distribution systems, looking to minimize costs and emissions while maximizing food value and collaboration from field to plate. Our latest report, available exclusively on the Foodbytes hub, is a deep dive into the future of food logistics. We explore key characteristics that predict long-term collaboration success and industry impact and spotlight 10 standout startups poised for significant impact, covering growth areas such as: 1️⃣ Intelligent automation technologies setting the foundation for robust automations 2️⃣ Solutions that track and optimize the full value of food throughout the supply chain, reducing waste and optimizing energy and labor 3️⃣ Alternative decentralized distribution models that adapt to evolving consumer demands and challenge existing infrastructures 4️⃣ Traceability technologies fostering data standardization, collaboration towards emission reductions, and improved ROI Rabobank experts Xinnan Li, Viet Nguyen, Maria J. Castroviejo, Bourcard Nesin and Albena T. lend their insights to this report that you can download today. https://lnkd.in/eH7pdT8v Acoustic Extra Freezing It's Fresh! BioVeritas Wicker Park Logistics Waku SBT Instruments CLCircular AgrigateOne TraceX Technologies Yolda Livestock Water Recycling Koa Switzerland & Ghana Pod Foods Farmforce Therma° Kiinns #Foodbytes #FoodTech #Innovation #Sustainability #FutureOfFood #Logistics #Traceability #DecentralizedDistribution #FoodWasteReduction #Automation Rabobank Rabobank Wholesale Banking North America Rabobank Australia Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund Rabo Investments

CARBON MANAGEMENT OUTLOOK: De-carbonization demands engagement and incentives from every link in the value chain—and it all begins with the farmer. At Foodbytes, we see immense impact potential in innovators who are pioneering agriculture inputs with immediate ROI, optimizing distribution efficiency in the midstream and championing climate-friendly ingredients for CPGs. 🚀 The most promising emerging technologies are addressing the following key tenets in the carbon space: 🤝 Broad Partnerships: Effective solutions for diverse agricultural landscapes. 💡 Unified Interests: A multiplier effect across the supply chain. 🧩 Modular Systems: Customization without compromising regulatory standards. 🔮 Future-Ready: Anticipating, not just reacting, to emerging regulations. Want to dive deeper into this game-changing outlook? Access it today in the Foodbytes hub. Log in or create your FREE profile to unlock these insights. Link: https://lnkd.in/e3Vp73Jk #Sustainability #Innovation #Foodbytes #CarbonManagement #Decarbonization

🚨 Lab-Grown Meat Industry Facing Challenges 🚨 Despite an infusion of $1.6B in venture capital, the lab-grown meat industry is grappling with significant hurdles. Experts say that seeing cultivated meat in big box grocery stores or on fast food menus in the 2020s is “unrealistic.” 🌱 The journey towards mainstream acceptance and availability remains complex and filled with obstacles. What are your thoughts on the future of lab-grown meat? #SustainableFood #Innovation #FoodTech

We’re thrilled to see The Mediterranean Food Lab (MFL) rising to the next level with the completion of a $17M series A investment. 🗻   Gullspång Re:food led the funding round, along with PeakBridge, arancia international, FoodBridge (Axel Johnson group), and more. Together, bringing vast food industry expertise to MFL's mission: developing disruptive flavor solutions & culinary ingredients to greatly accelerate the transition to plant-based foods. How? MFL creates rich, natural flavors from 100% real food ingredients like grains, legumes and agro-industrial waste streams. Through a unique process of solid-state fermentation, they transform these into delicious, rich flavors that enhance everything from alternative proteins to casseroles, soups, and sauces. Clean label, cost-efficient, and sustainably produced.    For our Yoni Glickman, it was love at first taste. “We’re proud to have been the first investor in MFL. From the first time we met and tasted the products, we immediately understood how this team and technology can be a huge driver in overcoming one of the most significant barriers to plant-based eating - namely, the insufficient sensory experience. We’re excited to continue investing in the company, and to work with new investors and the whole MFL team.”   Here's to a successful year of growth 🥂 🍽 BZ Goldberg Yair Yosefi Liat Cinamon Edmond de Rothschild EIT Food #plantbased #realfood #impactinvesting #ingredients The Good Food Institute Startup Nation Central

Tesi is a distinguished investor in MeEats, having presented a comprehensive and insightful summary of our business and future objectives. The realm of food technology is on an upward trajectory, actively addressing challenges pertaining to food production, not only locally in Finland but also on a global scale. Tesi, with a keen eye on this burgeoning sector, proudly highlights MeEat Food Tech Oy as a standout example within our diverse portfolio. MeEat Food Tech Oy is on a noble quest to revolutionize plant-based eating, aiming to make it both effortlessly convenient and scrumptiously delightful. The ultimate goal? To render meat consumption unnecessary, thus mitigating the myriad sustainability issues associated with traditional meat production. And here's the exciting part: MeEat is setting its sights on international expansion! #foodtech #plantbasedmeat #veturecapital #startup https://lnkd.in/dc4hGV8T

For The Ketchup Club Club, Ketchup is more than just a nice addition to a meal – it's about revolutionizing the supply chain. With their supply chain, Ketchup Club empowers small-scale farmers and boosts yields through regenerative agriculture. Their story of success highlights the importance of perseverance in business development and the valuable support offered by organizations like Food Innovators. Companies like the Ketchup Club show the power of the food innovation ecosystem. To continue this transformation in the food industry, Impact Hub Amsterdam is launching the Food Innovators platform together with Food Hub (NL), Rabobank Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, and Flevo Campus. The platform aims to reshape the food innovators support system, which is not always easily accessible. It will bridge the gap between innovators and the resources they require. The Ketchup Club's transformative journey shows why platforms like Food Innovators are essential. Dive into their full story here (in Dutch): https://lnkd.in/ewrExvJk Want support for your own food innovation? Contact one of the Food Innovators Community Managers via the Food Innovators website.   

🚨 Sad News in the Food Tech World 🚨 I am sad to share the news of SciFi Foods' closure. This innovative start-up, known for its groundbreaking work in cultivated meat, had the vision to produce a $1 burger that is both affordable and sustainable. CEO Josh March mentioned in a LinkedIn post "Great technical execution wasn’t enough. The zeitgeist around meat alternatives went from boom to bust. It became effectively impossible to raise the tens of millions needed for a small commercial launch; much less the hundreds of millions needed for full commercialization." In my article last week, I highlighted how foodies expressed their reluctance to buy alternative meats that aren't affordable. This sentiment underscores the uphill battle to make such innovations accessible to the masses. While SciFi Foods' journey has come to an end, its mission and vision continue to inspire. Will we ever see the realization of their dream for a truly affordable and sustainable alternative meat? Only time will tell. https://lnkd.in/gsbxZ8by #FoodTech #Innovation #Sustainability #CultivatedMeat #FutureOfFood