CULT Food Science

The Better Butchers is a pioneering food technology company that produces cultivated, or lab-grown, meat. Their mission is to provide a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional livestock farming. The company's meat is produced without animal slaughter, combining cultivated protein with plant-based fats to create a more efficient and moral way to consume meat, without compromising on taste and experience.

Novel Farms, Inc. is a company based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2020, that specializes in the production of cell-based meat products aimed at ethical consumers. Utilizing microbial fermentation and proprietary tissue engineering technology, Novel Farms develops cruelty-free and affordable 3D bioscaffolds, which enable the creation of structured meat products that replicate the taste and texture of traditional gourmet meats. The company focuses on making cell-based meat a desirable culinary option for a new generation of consumers, promoting a more sustainable and ethical approach to meat consumption. Through its innovative methods, Novel Farms seeks to achieve price parity with conventional meat, making its offerings accessible to a broader audience while transforming the future of food.

Minus is a beanless coffee company which produces coffee.

Unicorn Biotechnologies is developing a next-generation biomanufacturing platform to power the cell-based manufacturing revolution, starting with cultivated meat. By providing a clear path to affordably and rapidly scale cultivated meat, we will improve human and planetary health and drive the transition to animal-free agriculture.

Steakholder Foods Ltd is a deep-tech food company focused on revolutionizing protein manufacturing through innovative 3D printing technologies. The company is dedicated to creating sustainable and high-quality alternative meat and seafood products that closely mimic the taste and texture of traditional proteins. By developing proprietary three-dimensional bioprinting techniques, Steakholder aims to improve meat production, streamline the supply chain, and provide consumers with a diverse range of offerings. Its mission includes reducing the environmental impact of food production by minimizing carbon footprints, water usage, and land requirements, while also eliminating the need for animal slaughter. Through its advanced manufacturing solutions, Steakholder Foods is positioning itself as a leader in the plant-based and cultivated meat industry, committed to supporting partners in the rapidly evolving market.

Pearlita Foods is the world's first cell-based mollusk company, founded by Nikita Michelsen and marine biologist Joey Peters. The company focuses on producing cell-based oysters to meet the growing demand for seafood delicacies while promoting sustainability. Using cellular agriculture, Pearlita Foods cultivates oyster cells with a carefully formulated mixture of nutrients in a controlled environment, ensuring a contaminant-free seafood product. This innovative approach aims to provide consumers with a safe and sustainable alternative to traditional seafood, addressing both environmental concerns and food safety issues.

Vevolution is an operator of a global investment marketplace focused on plant-based and cell-agriculture innovations. The company offers software-as-a-service solutions designed to support startups, investors, and consumers in accelerating the growth of sustainable businesses. By connecting like-minded individuals and organizations, Vevolution facilitates the adoption of green products and services, fostering a community that aims to create a positive impact on the world.

Umami Bioworks is a company focused on the discovery and development of a scalable platform for producing cultivated seafood, aiming to protect endangered marine species while providing consumers with sustainable seafood options. The company utilizes systems engineering to enhance the discovery and industrialization processes, facilitating local production that is both price competitive and environmentally responsible. Its innovative approach involves creating cell-based food products derived from fish cells and tissue, which are designed to be free from harmful substances such as mercury, antibiotics, microplastics, and ocean pollutants. By offering affordable, cell-cultured seafood and meat alternatives, Umami Bioworks addresses the growing demand for healthy and sustainable food choices.

De Novo Foodlabs is a producer of animal-free dairy products and proteins, focusing on creating nutritionally identical alternatives to cow's milk. Utilizing precision fermentation technology, the company develops innovative ingredients that are sustainable, vegan, and free from antibiotics. Their protein innovation platform allows food companies to adopt a phased approach to product development, targeting healthier and more environmentally friendly food options. By combining bioinformatics with advanced biotechnology, De Novo modifies the functionality of proteins and essential nutrients, enabling the creation of nutrient-dense dairy alternatives that are easier to produce and have a lower environmental impact.

Change Foods, Inc. is a food technology company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in the production of animal-free cheese and dairy products. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes precision fermentation technology to create bio-identical dairy proteins and ingredients by harnessing the power of microbes instead of animals. This innovative approach allows Change Foods to offer lactose-free, hormone-free, and hypoallergenic products, contributing to a reduction in the environmental footprint associated with traditional dairy production. The company is focused on transforming the dairy industry by providing sustainable alternatives that cater to evolving consumer preferences.

Ohayo Valley is a cultivated meat science and cell biology company focused on producing sustainably cultivated beef. By blending plant-based ingredients with cultivated meat, Ohayo Valley aims to recreate the protein, fat, and texture profile of traditional beef, including products like wagyu ribeye. The company’s innovative approach is designed to reduce the carbon emissions associated with conventional beef production, making it a more environmentally friendly option for consumers. Ohayo Valley's process is supported by five provisional patents and various trade secrets, highlighting its commitment to advancing sustainable meat alternatives.

CELL AG TECH specializes in cellular agriculture technologies aimed at producing sustainable seafood. The company focuses on cultivating only the cells necessary to create seafood products, thereby eliminating the need for traditional fishing and aquaculture practices. This innovative approach ensures that the seafood produced is free from overfishing, mercury, microplastics, antibiotics, and animal cruelty, while also minimizing environmental impact. By developing stem cells from fish, CELL AG TECH aims to offer a healthy, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional seafood, making it accessible and competitively priced for consumers. Through its commitment to sustainability, the company seeks to redefine seafood production and provide a reliable source of nutrition.

MeliBio, Inc. is a technology-driven company that focuses on producing vegan nectar products as a sustainable alternative to traditional honey. Founded in 2020 by Aaron M. Schaller, PhD, and Darko Mandich, MeliBio utilizes advancements in plant biology, precision fermentation, and synthetic biology to create honey without the involvement of bees, thereby addressing concerns related to biodiversity and the environmental impact of commercial beekeeping. The company, headquartered in Oakland, California, aims to provide food producers with molecularly identical nectar alternatives that are healthier and do not rely on bee farming. In 2023, MeliBio expanded its offerings by launching its consumer brand, Mellody, further promoting its innovative approach to honey production. TIME recognized MeliBio's pioneering methodology as one of the Best Inventions of 2021.

Mogale Meat Co. is a privately incorporated limited liability company developing real meat products from southern Africa’s prized wild antelope, poultry and free-roaming livestock, using advanced cellular agriculture technologies. The company is focused on developing a vertically integrated pro-diversity food technology platform to make healthy and nutritious cell-cultivated meat accessible to Africa's rapidly growing population and export to global markets. Mogale is Managing Partner of MeatOurFuture – an XPRIZE "Feed the Next Billion" semi-finalist.

Biftek Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New Castle, Delaware, founded in 2018. The company specializes in the extraction of stem cells from cattle to produce meat, utilizing microorganism-based, natural growth medium supplements designed to cultivate muscle stem cells. Biftek's innovative approach aims to produce real meat without genetic modifications or antibiotics, contributing to a clean meat revolution that addresses the increasing global food demand. By significantly lowering production costs, Biftek enables its clients to cultivate affordable meat while minimizing reliance on traditional animal farming and slaughterhouses. This solution positions Biftek at the forefront of efforts to mitigate climate change through sustainable meat production practices.

Novel Farms, Inc. is a company based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2020, that specializes in the production of cell-based meat products aimed at ethical consumers. Utilizing microbial fermentation and proprietary tissue engineering technology, Novel Farms develops cruelty-free and affordable 3D bioscaffolds, which enable the creation of structured meat products that replicate the taste and texture of traditional gourmet meats. The company focuses on making cell-based meat a desirable culinary option for a new generation of consumers, promoting a more sustainable and ethical approach to meat consumption. Through its innovative methods, Novel Farms seeks to achieve price parity with conventional meat, making its offerings accessible to a broader audience while transforming the future of food.

De Novo Foodlabs is a producer of animal-free dairy products and proteins, focusing on creating nutritionally identical alternatives to cow's milk. Utilizing precision fermentation technology, the company develops innovative ingredients that are sustainable, vegan, and free from antibiotics. Their protein innovation platform allows food companies to adopt a phased approach to product development, targeting healthier and more environmentally friendly food options. By combining bioinformatics with advanced biotechnology, De Novo modifies the functionality of proteins and essential nutrients, enabling the creation of nutrient-dense dairy alternatives that are easier to produce and have a lower environmental impact.

California Cultured is a food company based in Davis, California, that specializes in producing sustainable, lab-grown cocoa through advanced cellular agriculture techniques. Founded in 2020, the company aims to create cocoa that is less bitter and requires less sugar, enhancing the taste while promoting health benefits. By stimulating cocoa cells with common food ingredients, California Cultured ensures the growth of premium-quality cocoa without the ethical and environmental issues associated with traditional cocoa production, such as slavery and deforestation. This innovative approach allows customers to enjoy delicious cocoa products that are both sustainable and socially responsible.

Biftek Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New Castle, Delaware, founded in 2018. The company specializes in the extraction of stem cells from cattle to produce meat, utilizing microorganism-based, natural growth medium supplements designed to cultivate muscle stem cells. Biftek's innovative approach aims to produce real meat without genetic modifications or antibiotics, contributing to a clean meat revolution that addresses the increasing global food demand. By significantly lowering production costs, Biftek enables its clients to cultivate affordable meat while minimizing reliance on traditional animal farming and slaughterhouses. This solution positions Biftek at the forefront of efforts to mitigate climate change through sustainable meat production practices.