Check out what some of the FoodTech 500 Alumni have been up to lately:

 

HOOKED FOODS | Raised 8.4 million kroner ($830,000) through a combination of equity financing, loans, and grants. This funding, which brings their total raised to €6M, will support the company’s expansion efforts, including enhanced distribution and investments in technology and innovation. Read more

BENSON HILL | And its subsidiaries have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The company intends to sell its assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, aiming to continue supporting its farmers, partners, and customers during the sale process. This decision follows unsuccessful attempts to mitigate financial pressures through cost reductions, asset divestments, and debt restructuring. Read more

NOTCO | Aims for profitability by 2027, with potential for earlier gains in its mature Latin American markets. This projection is largely driven by the rapid growth of its B2B business, where its AI platform, ‘Giuseppe,’ assists CPG companies in product development and reformulation. Read more

POLOPO | Achieved a successful field trial, yielding five tons of protein-rich potatoes, exceeding initial expectations. These potatoes, engineered to produce ovalbumin and patatin, demonstrate the company’s ability to scale the production of functional proteins. The resulting protein powder, despite the potatoes being genetically engineered, is classified as non-GMO, addressing a key market concern. Read more

BETTER NATURE | Introduced an enhanced version of its Organic Tempeh in major UK retailers, targeting health-conscious meat-eaters. This reformulated tempeh offers a protein content comparable to chicken and includes gut-friendly fiber and prebiotics. Read more

ONEGO BIO | Announced its plans to establish its flagship manufacturing facility at Jefferson County’s Food and Beverage Innovation Campus. The facility will focus on producing Bioalbumen®, a sustainable alternative to traditional egg protein, aiming for operational status by 2028. Read more

SHIRU | Partnered with GreenLab, known for its plant-based protein expression, to commercialize novel food proteins using the latter’s corn expression system. This collaboration aims to scale sustainable protein production beyond traditional microbial and precision fermentation, focusing initially on ingredients for the CPG industry. Read more

SUPERGROUND | Secured €2.5M in funding from the Hatch Blue Revolution Fund to scale its patented technology that enables the full utilization of fish in food production. The funding will be used to increase production capacity and expand SuperGround’s presence in European markets. Read more

BETA BUGS | Secured £2.1M in new funding to scale up the production of Black Soldier Fly eggs and juvenile larvae, supporting commercial relationships with large-scale producers, particularly within the European market. Read more

xFARM TECHNOLOGIES | Merged with Checkplant, a Brazilian field management and monitoring specialist, to expand digital agriculture in Latin America. This collaboration aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, traceability, and the overall value of agricultural products in Brazil, a major global agricultural exporter. Read more

VARAHA | Received a multimillion-dollar investment from Conductor Capital, a UK-based investment manager specializing in energy and environmental products. This investment is designed to facilitate Varaha’s expansion, enabling them to reach more farmers and extend their carbon removal initiatives across India and Nepal. Read more

AI PALETTE | Has been acquired by GlobalData Plc, a UK-based data analytics firm, to enhance its AI-driven consumer insights for the CPG industry. This acquisition aims to integrate AI Palette’s real-time trend identification and product idea generation capabilities with GlobalData’s extensive resources and global reach. Read more

FERMIFY | Submitted a regulatory dossier for its animal-free casein to the Singapore Food Agency. This submission marks the company’s effort to introduce its sustainable dairy protein alternative to the Asian market, building on its previous GRAS status achievement with the FDA in the United States. Read more

INNOMY | Collaborated with Spanish retailer Eroski, Ausolan, and the Leartiker Technology Centre to develop a range of desserts and snack bars using fungal protein. The Delifungus project, a year-long research initiative, explored the potential of mycelium-derived protein to create sustainable and nutritious plant-based foods. Read more

EDACIOUS | Secured $8.1M to transform food transparency by measuring and mapping nutrient density in whole foods. Led by Tin Shed Ventures, this funding will accelerate the company’s platform, empowering producers with data-driven insights into the impact of farming practices on nutritional quality. Read more

FERMTECH | Collaborated with Abertay University to develop ‘Koji flour,’ an innovative ingredient designed to combat the global cocoa shortage. This product, created through the fermentation of spent grains from breweries and distilleries, enhances cocoa flavor and reduces the amount of cocoa needed in popular foods, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional cocoa sourcing. Read more

UMAMI BIOWORKS | Expanded its operations to Wageningen, Netherlands, establishing its European base within the region’s prominent agrifood ecosystem. This move positions Umami to further develop sustainable seafood solutions, offering an alternative to traditional fishing practices challenged by overfishing and environmental concerns. Read more

RE:MEAT | Raised €1M in an oversubscribed funding round led by impact investor 8+ Ventures. The company is developing a modular production system inspired by brewing technology, aiming to make cultivated meat cost-competitive. Read more

HOXTON FARMS, ROSLIN TECHNOLOGIES, BLUENALU, GOURMEY and VOW | Have all been selected by the UK’s Food Standards Agency as it launched a regulatory ‘sandbox’ to fast-track cultivated meat approval, aiming to streamline the costly and time-consuming approval process. Backed by £1.6M from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, the two-year programme brings together startups, scientists, and regulators to refine the regulatory framework. Read more

MAP MY CROP | Secured $1.8M in a pre-Series A funding round led by YourNest Venture Capital, with additional support from Eaglewings Ventures and other angel investors. The funding, part of the YourNest-SanchiConnect Velocity Program 2024, will help the company expand operations, strengthen its sales and technology teams, and launch new solutions, including an AI-based farm credit score tool and a forest monitoring system. Read more

AVALO | Secured $11M in Series A funding and formed a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. This funding will enable Avalo to advance its rapid evolution platform, which focuses on developing climate-resilient crops like cotton and sugarcane, and reduce CCEP’s Scope 3 emissions. Read more

STEAKHOLDER FOODS | Enters a strategic funding agreement with Alumni Capital Management, which includes an immediate private placement, generating approximately $1.25M, and an equity line of credit granting access to an additional $8M. The private placement involves the sale of American Depositary Shares and warrants, designed to support the company’s growth initiatives. Read more

SEADLING | Secured $1M in seed investment from investors such as Toyo Seikan Group, the Yield Lab Asia Pacific, AgFunder, Katapult Ocean, and Kul Loesningar 3. The funding will be used to scale manufacturing, accelerate product innovation, and expand its presence in the agriculture, animal health, and human nutrition markets. Read more

PURE HARVEST SMART FARMS | Partnered with PlanTFarm to launch a high-tech smart farm in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, which integrates AI-powered technology for premium produce and resource-efficient animal fodder. Announced in December 2023, the partnership aims to boost local food security and reduce reliance on imports. Read more

THE YIELD | Has been acquired by Yamaha Motor to launch Yamaha Agriculture, Inc., a new company dedicated to advancing automation and digital solutions in specialty crop farming. Yamaha Agriculture leverages The Yield’s data-driven innovations to support the future of precision agriculture. Read more

WIDE OPEN AGRICULTURE | Secured approval to export its high-protein lupin isolate to China, a key step in its expansion. China’s customs administration granted clearance following support from a local distributor, recognizing the product’s market potential in protein powders, plant-based dairy, and alternative tofu. Read more

BABYLON MICRO-FARMS | Appointed Marc Oshima as its new CEO to lead the company’s global expansion. With over 300 micro-farms across 40 states and five countries, the company aims to scale its award-winning on-site indoor farming solutions. Read more

CELLMEAT | Partnered with Icelandic plant biotech ORF Genetics to host what was claimed to be the first cultivated shellfish tasting outside Asia at the Iceland Ocean Cluster. Guests, including Iceland’s First Gentleman Björn Skúlason and Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, sampled cultivated shellfish dishes prepared by chef Jinyoung Park. Read more

AGWORLD | Helps ag retailers tackle rising regulatory, supply chain, and operational challenges with a powerful Farm Management Information System (FMIS) that streamlines collaboration and decision-making. Read more

TROPIC | To launch its non-browning bananas in March, followed by extended shelf-life bananas by the end of the year. These innovations aim to open new markets for cut fruit, reduce food waste, lower shipping costs, and expand global export opportunities. Read more

JUST EGG | Steps up to meet the demand as the egg shortage worsens. With bird flu driving up prices, the plant-based egg is growing five times faster than last year, becoming a reliable choice for the 94% of Americans who eat eggs daily. Read more

THE WONKI COLLECTIVE | Co-founder, Dini McGrath, has been named a 2025 female innovator to watch by Innovate UK. Her platform, launched in 2022, aims to cut 180,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2026 by tackling food waste in manufacturing. Read more

SQUARE ROOTS | Expanded to Japan with Square Roots Japan, operated by Tokyo-based Green Prosperity. The venture will use Square Roots’ modular farming platform to grow specialty crops while partnering with traditional farmers to preserve their agricultural heritage. Read more

KITCHE | A UK-based home food waste prevention app has been acquired by Remy, an AI-powered meal-planning platform focused on reducing household food waste. This strategic acquisition strengthens Remy’s position in the sustainable Food Tech market and expands its footprint across the UK and European markets. Read more

SOLAR FOODS | Launched the pre-engineering phase for Factory 02, its industrial-scale Solein® production facility, which is targeted to begin operations in 2028. The company has partnered with engineering firm Blue Projects to establish robust design foundations. Read more

Business Finland, an arm of the Finnish economic affairs ministry, also provided €10M to accelerate the construction of the said facility. Read more

To validate Solein’s commercial potential, Solar Foods secured two Memoranda of Understanding with international partners, outlining plans for the commercialization of 6,000 tonnes of Solein annually. Read more

Lastly, it developed the Solein Protein Bites Nut Mix Edition, a snack product that combines Solein with popular ingredients like peanut butter and hazelnuts, coated in a chocolate-flavored layer. Read more

SIMPLE PLANET | Partnered with Chulalongkorn University’s prestigious Halal Science Center, signing a breakthrough MoU to drive cutting-edge halal science research while sharing laboratory facilities and expert talent. Read more

It also developed a patented, serum-free cell culture medium designed to drastically reduce production costs in cell-based food, biopharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. Read more

EVER AFTER FOODS | Teams up with Swiss manufacturing giant Bühler Group to transform cultivated meat production. Using Ever After Foods’ edible packed-bed (EPB) technology, the system produces the same amount of meat with bioreactors 10 times smaller than industry norms, cutting costs and boosting efficiency. Read more

MOA FOODTECH | Received a €14.8M investment commitment from the European Innovation Council. Selected from over 1,200 applicants, MOA’s Non-GMO Directed Fermentation technology transforms agricultural byproducts into high-value functional ingredients while bypassing many regulatory hurdles that slow traditional precision fermentation approaches. Read more

KYNDA | Secured €3M in seed funding, led by Enjoy Ventures and with participation from Clima Now and poultry giant PHW Group. The investment will help scale their technology, which transforms food industry waste into mycoprotein through a rapid 48-hour fermentation process. Read more

80 ACRES FARMS | Raised an additional $115M, expanding its focus to plant genetics through the acquisition of Israeli biotechnology firm Plantae Biosciences, which will operate as Infinite Acres Israel. The company believes optimizing crops specifically for indoor environments represents “the next big unlock” for vertical farming. Read more

It also expanded its U.S. footprint by acquiring three indoor vertical farms in Georgia, Texas, and Colorado from Kalera Inc., a former publicly traded competitor. The deal, which also includes Kalera’s intellectual property, allows 80 Acres to strengthen its presence beyond Ohio and Kentucky. Read more

MAGIC VALLEY | Received A$100,000 investment from the Australian government to help scale up its cultivated meat production. The funding, part of the A$392M Industry Growth Program, will assist the company in transitioning from research to commercial production of its cultivated pork and lamb products. Read more

 

 

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