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Singapore-based start-up Cellivate Technologies has emerged as the top winner of Channel News Asia’s (CNA) business reality show, The Big Spark, taking home $3.3 million.

Cellivate Technologies develops cellular solutions for cell-based meat, leather and cruelty-free cosmetics. The company won CNA’s show, competing against 24 regional start-ups, and is set to receive SGD 4.15 million (approx. $3.1 million) in funding from five venture capital companies. The investment firms include Singapore’s Antler and Rigel-Farro Capital, which CNA said will support Cellivate with SGD 3.3 million (approx. $2.45 million).

At The Big Spark, Cellivate’s CEO and founder Viknish Krishnan-Kutty said that the funds would expand R&D, production capabilities and the company’s team, adding a commercial unit for business growth.

Krishnan-Kutty founded Cellivate Technologies in 2019 as a spin-off from the National University of Singapore to reduce animal slaughter by using cells to create animal-free products.

Initially, the start-up focused on FBS-free media and microcarriers for cell-based meat companies, before expanding into cosmetics and cultivated leather.

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