NEW TECH FOODS

FloVision Solutions, a start-up developing AI-driven analytics tools for the global food industry, has raised $8.7 million in Series A funding to scale its technology and workforce. The round was led by Insight Partners, with additional support from Serra Ventures, SOSV and Rockstart. The funding will support FloVision’s expansion in key markets across North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia, while also fueling recruitment to strengthen its engineering, AI/ML, and sales functions. The company is hiring additional engineers, AI data annotators and sales representatives to meet growing customer demand and enhance its product offerings. Founded in 2020, FloVision provides AI-powered tools designed to help protein processors track yield, monitor qualityand improve labour performance in real time. Its compact sensors – mounted directly on conveyor belts and workstations – use vision, depth and load cell technology to scan each product as it moves through processing lines. The system identifies defects, misgrades and foreign materials, triggering instant alerts for regrading or removal. It also captures traceability data and helps match products to specific customer specifications. All data is collected in a central dashboard, allowing supervisors to monitor trends, compare performance across shifts and make real-time decisions to improve efficiency. Rian Mc Donnell, founder and CEO of FloVision, said: "This funding unlocks a whole new world of food production tech. We're already helping protein processors run more efficiently and take control of their operations. With these new resources, we're doubling down on solving real customer problems and speeding up the rollout of features we know the food industry needs." FloVision’s platform has already processed more than 23 million kg of food in beef and poultry plants across North America, Europe and Australia. According to the company, customers have seen up to 1.5% yield improvements and as much as 15x return on investment through reduced waste and faster, data-led decision-making. As part of the round, Madeleine Goldberg, investor at Insight Partners, will be joining FloVision's board. "Up to 20% of global meat production is lost before consumption, costing the industry $200bn annually – with recalls adding $20bn more. Flovision uses AI to cut this waste at the source, creating value for producers, consumers, and the environment," said Goldberg.

4AG Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous harvesting technologies, has successfully closed a CAD $40 million Series B funding round, aimed at accelerating the adoption of its robotic systems in the mushroom farming sector. The round was led by Astanor and Cibus Capital, with participation from Voyager Capital and existing investors including InBC, Emmertech and the BDC Industrial Innovation Fund. This latest round brings the total capital raised by the company to CAD $57.5 million over the past two years. The funding comes at a pivotal moment for 4AG Robotics, which has seen its robotic harvesting platform deployed in key markets such as Canada, Ireland and Australia, with plans to expand into the Netherlands and the US. CEO Sean O'Connor highlighted the significance of this investment: “This funding helps us leap from a start-up proving our product works to a scale-up manufacturer trying to keep pace with demand”. The company's technology has already garnered deposits for over 40 additional robots, highlighting strong market interest. 4AG's autonomous system employs artificial intelligence and advanced robotics to harvest mushrooms continuously, reducing reliance on manual labour. The robots are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Dutch-rack infrastructure, offering growers a solution that enhances operational efficiency while maintaining product quality. COO Chris Payne noted the importance of real-world applicability, adding: “What sets us apart is our ability to deliver commercially successful automation in complex farm environments”. The global mushroom market, projected to exceed $70 billion by 2030, faces significant challenges, including labour shortages and rising production costs. Harvesting can account for up to 50% of these costs, necessitating innovative solutions. 4AG's robots provide a potential pathway for growers to maintain competitiveness without overhauling their existing operations. Investors Astanor and Cibus Capital expressed confidence in 4AG's potential to transform the agricultural landscape. Harry Briggs from Astanor said: “We believe that mushrooms are the most poised for robotic solutions...4AG could be at the forefront of the transformation of agriculture through AI and robotics”. With the new capital, 4AG Robotics plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities, enhance customer support services and accelerate the development of next-generation features, including disease detection and AI-driven yield optimisation. Michelle Lim, VP of Growth at 4AG, articulated the company's vision, stating: “We’re not just building robots – we’re building a new operating system for the mushroom industry”. Featured image: A 4AG Robotics mushroom-picking robot in the middle of its harvesting process. | © 4AG Robotics.

Brno-based startup Mewery has raised €3 million to advance its cultivated meat technology and move towards industrial-scale testing. The funding includes a €2.5 million grant from the EIC Accelerator programme, recommended by the European Innovation Council and funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. The investment will enable Mewery to increase biomass production volumes in preparation for pilot testing with meat producers. Founder and CEO Roman Lauš said: “This will be a crucial step that will open the way for us to test our technology with meat producers. We are already starting to approach companies that are interested in being among the first to bring a new generation of food to the market.” Mewery expects to begin pilot projects in the EU, including the Czech Republic, in the coming months. Over the past year, the company has raised €3 million in total funding – including public support, VC investments and international awards – bringing its total funding since inception to more than €4 million. Lauš stated: "Thanks to European grants, we were able to focus all our efforts on research and development last year – which is exactly what grant funding should be used for, ie to enable scientific development to reach a stage where it makes sense for commercial scaling and becomes relevant for venture capital." "We see this award and funding from local sources as a strong sign of confidence – not only in our team, but also in the very idea of cultivated meat as a sustainable alternative. European validation at this level proves that our project is at the absolute forefront of technology and ready for scaling up to pilot production. Such recognition is a significant validation of the scientific and technical quality of our solution and also strengthens the prestige of the entire Czech innovation ecosystem."

The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has endorsed the bipartisan reintroduction of the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act in the US Senate, legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s bioeconomy and expanding rural job opportunities. Introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Jerry Moran, the bill proposes updates to the USDA’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. It seeks to broaden the program’s scope, streamline eligibility and support a wider range of biobased products, with a focus on advancing US competitiveness in biomanufacturing. John Bode, president and CEO of CRA, said: “This legislation represents a strategic investment in the future of rural America and the farmers, workers, and innovators who fuel our economy. By backing next-generation biomanufacturing, the Ag BIO Act will help cement US leadership in sustainable innovation while delivering economic opportunity where it’s needed most.” The proposed legislation outlines measures to promote new uses for agricultural feedstocks such as corn, with the goal of supporting a shift from traditional manufacturing to more sustainable, domestically sourced alternatives. A companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in May by Reps. Zach Nunn and Nikki Budzinski. The CRA has identified the legislation as a key priority in its Farm Bill agenda.

Steakholder Foods has received a positive Written Opinion from the International Searching Authority (ISA) for its international patent application (PCT/US 24/34252), which covers the printing system of its HD144 printer designed for plant-based fish. The ISA confirmed that all 21 claims in the application meet the criteria of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. The patent covers a multi-component architecture that manages bio-ink materials, gas pressure control and a central processing module that coordinates the printer’s functions. The HD144 printer uses Steakholder’s proprietary DLS (Drop Location in Space) drop-on-demand technology, which allows for precise deposition of plant-based micro-droplets. This enables realistic structuring and marbling of plant-based fish to mimic the texture and appearance of conventional seafood. The decision strengthens Steakholder’s position as it moves toward national phase filings and global commercialisation. “This positive opinion from the ISA is a meaningful milestone that reinforces the strength of our IP and the disruptive nature of our technology,” said Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods. “Our DLS-based HD144 printer is raising the bar in plant-based seafood production, and this patent supports our global commercialisation and strategic partnership goals.”

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed lab-grown beef muscle tissue with a thickness and structure that closely mimics conventional meat. While previous attempts to produce beef muscle in vitro have resulted in thin, underdeveloped fibres, the ETH team has managed to grow tissue that not only replicates the structure of conventional meat, but also mirrors its gene expression, protein profile and contractile behaviour. The university said that “although scientists had previously succeeded in generating muscle fibres from bovine myoblasts in the lab, these fibres were usually quite thin”. The new tissue was developed by professor Ori Bar-Nur’s group at ETH Zurich. A specialist in regenerative and muscle biology, Bar-Nur and his team used myoblasts – precursor cells that form muscle fibres – extracted from standard beef cuts including fillet, sirloin, cheek and flank. The cultivated fibres were grown in a cell culture medium enhanced with a cocktail of three molecules that encourage muscle cell differentiation. A method adapted from muscular dystrophy research The molecular cocktail was originally developed by Bar-Nur seven years ago during postdoctoral work at Harvard, where he was studying muscle regeneration in mice. “Back then, he was working mainly with mice. His basic research revolved around cultivating muscle cells outside of the body for the treatment of hereditary diseases involving muscle degeneration,” stated ETH Zurich. The team has since demonstrated that the same method is suitable for generating high-quality bovine muscle fibres in vitro. The molecules are only needed during the early stages of fibre formation and are removed during the production process. "It is beef, just without the slaughter" Despite the promising results, the cultivated beef has not yet been approved for human consumption in Switzerland. ETH Zurich highlighted: “However, Bar-Nur has colleagues who have participated in approved tastings of lab-grown beef. They describe the taste and consistency as being similar to that of real meat. After all, it is beef, the only difference being that no cow needs to be slaughtered in order to obtain it.” Scaling up for future commercialisation At this stage, the ETH team has produced only small quantities of the lab-grown tissue. “The cell culture medium requires further optimisation to make it more affordable and safe for consumption. Additionally, we need to explore ways to produce these muscle fibres in larger quantities,” said Christine Trautmann, a doctoral student in Bar-Nur’s group and one of the two lead authors of the study. . “These innovative new food products will have to undergo a prolonged and complex authorisation procedure before they reach shop shelves and, ultimately, our plates,” added Adhideb Ghosh, another lead author of the study. With cultivated chicken already commercially available in Singapore, interest in alternative proteins continues to grow. Bar-Nur is now considering launching a spin-out company to help bring the technology to market. “He wants to help ensure that we will one day be able to produce ethically sound burgers that are affordable and safe,” Ghosh concluded.

PoLoPo, a deep-tech B2B company pioneering bioengineered potato varieties, has announced it aims to bring its molecular farming to the snack aisle with a drop-in solution for high-protein chips. The company’s proprietary high-protein potato delivers up to three times the protein of conventional tubers, providing a clean-label, plant-based alternative for snack manufacturers seeking functional differentiation without compromising flavour or texture. Unlike conventional protein-enriched snacks, which often rely on added powders or multi-ingredient formulations, PoLoPo’s technology builds the protein directly into the potato. The result is a natural, scalable solution that requires no changes to existing chip production lines and aligns with rising consumer demand for clean-label, minimally processed snacks. “This is not another protein-enriched chip with a long ingredient list,” said Maya Sapir-Mir, CEO of PoLoPo. “We’re growing better potatoes, potatoes that meet the market’s demand for functionality, without sacrificing the crunch, flavour or convenience consumers expect from chips.” With USDA clearance anticipated by the end of 2025, PoLoPo is preparing for commercial rollout. Its high-protein potatoes are already being tested in pilot production runs, with additional manufacturing and brand partners invited to join. The company’s move into snacks marks a commercial milestone in its broader molecular farming ambitions. Originally focused on producing animal-identical proteins in plants, PoLoPo identified native potato protein enhancement as a faster path to market with strong consumer appeal and a clear regulatory route. “We remain deeply committed to molecular farming and alternative proteins,” added Sapir-Mir. “But the chips market offers speed, scale and clarity. It’s the ideal entry point for bringing engineered crops to mainstream consumers.”

Mara Renewables has raised $9.1 million from S2G Investments to to expand its algae-based omega-3 platform, increase research and development and scale production to meet growing global demand for sustainable nutrition solutions. The biotech firm, which produces omega-3 DHA from microalgae instead of fish, is positioning itself as a scalable, environmentally responsible alternative to traditional fish oil sources. Omega-3 DHA is essential for cognitive, cardiovascular and prenatal health, yet around 85% of the global population remains deficient. Traditional omega-3 supply chains rely heavily on wild-caught fish. Mara’s approach uses precision fermentation to cultivate microalgae directly, eliminating the need for fish and reducing pressure on marine ecosystems. In 2024, the company says it offset the equivalent of 6.7 billion anchovies through its production of algal DHA. Mara’s ingredients are used across infant formula, supplements, functional foods, animal health and aquaculture. Its vertically integrated model is designed to deliver consistent supply while avoiding the volatility of marine-sourced inputs. The company plans to use the funding to grow its manufacturing footprint through strategic partnerships and to support the development of consumer-friendly omega-3 products. Harry Boot, CEO of Mara, said: “At Mara, we are committed to transforming the way the world sources vital nutrients like omega-3s. ​Our partnership with S2G strengthens our ability to meet growing global demand with reliable, high-quality alternatives that protect aquatic ecosystems, reduce reliance on wild fisheries and support the health of people and animals alike. We’re proud to have a values-aligned partner who brings deep experience and shared ambition.” Larsen Mettler, managing director of S2G’s oceans strategy, added: “In our view, Mara is solving a fundamental supply chain challenge with precision and scale. They have built an end-to-end platform that delivers consistent, clean and high-quality omega-3s without relying on depleted fisheries.”

Alternative protein producer Enough has announced the appointment of Jan Agter as Interim CEO, succeeding co-founder Jim Laird. Jan Agater, via LinkedIn The transition will take place over a six-month period, after which Laird will remain with the company in a non-executive role. Agter brings over 25 years of industry experience, having held leadership positions at Henkel and JBT-Marel. He will oversee operations at Enough's facilities in Sas van Gent, the Netherlands and Glasgow, UK. In a LinkedIn post, Agter expressed his enthusiasm for the role: “Recently started guiding Enough in the execution of its mission of 'Making Protein Sustainable' as interim CEO and leading the facility and business in Sas van Gent and Glasgow”. He praised the company’s leadership and team, pledging to scale the business and advance its sustainability goals. Founded in the UK in 2015, Enough is known for producing Abunda mycoprotein through large-scale biomass fermentation. The company’s first industrial-scale facility in the Netherlands was completed in 2022 and began production in 2023. Abunda is positioned as a complete food ingredient, containing all essential amino acids and high levels of dietary fibre. It can be incorporated into a range of plant-based products. In addition to Agter’s appointment, Enough has named two new senior leaders: Justin Smith as technology director and Claire Meechan as finance director. Smith, former CTO of Arkeon, brings extensive experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical fermentation and will report to CTO and co-founder Craig Johnston. He will lead the company’s R&D and Process Technology teams. Top image: © Enough

In a landmark move for the cultivated meat industry, US start-up Mission Barns has become the first company globally to receive full regulatory approval to produce and sell cultivated pork and fat for both retail and foodservice markets. The approval, announced on today, 24 July 2025, follows a successful USDA inspection of the company’s pilot facility in San Francisco and label approval for its cultivated pork fat product, having previously received approval from the FDA earlier this year. The USDA’s greenlight makes Mission Barns the fourth company in the US to secure full regulatory approval to sell cultivated animal cells for human consumption, and the first to do so for cultivated fat. “Our mission has always been to solve the biggest barrier to alternative proteins – taste. Cultivated fat is the key,” said Cecilia Chang, chief business officer at Mission Barns. “We’re here to give food companies and manufacturers the missing ingredient that helps their products stand out: Mission Fat.” Mission Barns' flagship products, debuting in Q3, will initially launch in restaurants and Sprouts Farmers Market stores. Chefs at Fiorella, a San Francisco-based restaurant group, have developed seasonal Italian dishes using Mission’s cultivated fat, including meatballs and bacon. Retail SKUs will feature hybrid offerings that combine plant-based protein with cultivated pork, labelled as: “Cultivated meatballs. Contains real pork without the pig – cultivated pork and plant protein.” This is the first regulatory clearance worldwide for a cultivated animal fat ingredient – a pivotal achievement given the role of fat in mimicking the sensory experience of conventional meat. Mission Barns uses a proprietary bioreactor platform specifically engineered for scalable, cost-effective production of high-quality cultivated fat. “There's a clear and growing interest in cultivated fat not just in the US but globally,” Chang added. “We are currently in discussions with partners who see cultivated fat as a critical differentiator. We were well positioned to scale to meet that demand.” Mission Barns also announced plans to license its production technology and infrastructure to industry partners - aiming to accelerate commercialisation across the sector and support other companies navigating pilot-scale deployment. The Association for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation (AMPS Innovation) welcomed the approval, calling it a major milestone for the US cultivated meat ecosystem. In a statement, the association said: "American-made cultivated meat and seafood continue to create high-skilled jobs, strengthen US food security and expand consumer choice – filling supply chain gaps and supporting a resilient food system. We commend the FDA and USDA for their rigorous oversight and commitment to food safety in this emerging category." Founded in 2018, Mission Barns has raised over $60 million to date, with further funding rounds planned. Its mission is to build a more sustainable, secure food system - one that reduces reliance on conventional animal agriculture while using less land, water and energy, and mitigating the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. With this latest regulatory greenlight, the US now leads globally with approvals across three cultivated species and four fully cleared products and remains the only country where cultivated meat is served regularly at restaurants.

The Spanish city of Valencia will become the European epicenter of innovation for monitoring emerging pollutants, food safety and sustainable chemistry. The I Sentiatech Congress will take place on 21–22 October 2025, serving as a key European meeting point for industry, the scientific community and public administration to address emerging risks and innovations in detection technologies impacting health and the environment. The congress is backed by leading entities in the field, including Valencia Innovation Capital, AGQ Labs, Aqualia, Eurofins, Global Omnium, IRISS SSbD network, ITENE, Kunak Technologies, Labaqua, Levante Technological Laboratories, NSC Community, Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), Simetría Group and Unimat Prevención. Valencia will take centre stage in Europe’s fight against emerging risks with the celebration of theI Sentiatech Congress: Detection, Measurement and Control of Emerging Risks. The event will gather leading experts from academia, industry and regulators to address challenges posed by substances such as microplastics, nanoplastics, pathogens and PFAS, among others, whose growing presence in the water cycle, cosmetics, insecticides, detergents, automotive products and the agri-food chain is raising increasing concern. Organised by the Spanish Technology Platform Sentiatech, the congress will be hosted at Las Naves and La Harinera complex in Valencia, a centre for social and urban innovation promoted by Valencia City Council. The event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange to promote the development of innovative and sustainable solutions in key areas of the industrial environment. This scientific congress will address the technological challenges in food safety, environmental health and the development of new safe and sustainable chemical products. The congress agenda is designed to foster the exchange of knowledge between companies, research organisations, universities, researchers, industry clusters and public regulatory authorities, promoting collaboration in the development of innovative solutions for the detection and mitigation of emerging risks. The organisation is supported by leading entities in these fields such as Valencia Innovation Capital, AGQ Labs, Aqualia, Eurofins, Global Omnium, IRISS SSbD network, ITENE Research Centre, Kunak Technologies, Labaqua, Levante Technological Laboratories, NSC Community, Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), Simetría Group and Unimat Prevención. An agenda marked by key challenges and innovation in safety and sustainability The I Sentiatech Congress will be articulated around three main thematic axes, each of them focused on the most disruptive trends in risk management and control: Risk assessment, monitoring and control of emerging pollutants and substances of concern. This block will address the impact of substances such as PFAS, microplastics and nanoplastics on the environment and human health. Advanced analytical methodologies, monitoring tools and the latest regulations on these emerging pollutants, which are increasingly present in different industrial sectors and in everyday life, will be discussed. Innovation and opportunities for detection technologies in agri-food value chains. Food safety is a fundamental pillar in the management of chemical and biological risks. This space will present the latest innovations in detection, traceability and control technologies for substances in food and food contact materials, highlighting how these tools can contribute to improving safety throughout the agri-food value chain. Industrial challenges and solutions to implement the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. In a context where sustainability and chemical safety play a crucial role in European industry, this block will explore innovative strategies to implement the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach in sectors such as chemistry, advanced materials and manufacturing. New opportunities to design safer and more environmentally friendly products from the early stage of development will be discussed. An internationally renowned Scientific Committee The congress will have a review process for communications, with a submission deadline of 15 June 2025. During this period, researchers and professionals from the industry will be able to present their work for review by a Scientific Committee of international experts from leading institutions. The entities that make up this Scientific Committee include: Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, ITENE Research Centre, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville, University of Oviedo, University of Gdańsk, TNO, Duke University, Inter-University Institute for Molecular Recognition Research and Technological Development, Institute of Chemical Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelon, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory and QSAR Lab. Their work will guarantee a rigorous selection process, ensuring the quality and scientific relevance of the communications presented at the congress. Collaboration and networking to promote technological progress In addition to the technical and scientific sessions, the I Sentiatech Congress will include spaces designed to foster collaboration between different actors in the safety and sustainability ecosystem. Networking sessions, meetings with experts and knowledge transfer activities will be organised to promote the development of strategic alliances and synergies between industry, academia and administration. The congress aims to be a platform where innovative solutions capable of responding to the current challenges in detection, measurement and control of emerging pollutants are presented, promoting more efficient and sustainable technologies that contribute to the protection of human health and the environment. More information about the congress and the abstract submission process can be found on the I Sentiatech Congress website.

Bold Laser Automation has introduced a new inspection system, the DS1250LJX Dual Scanner Pre-Inspection Platform, designed to work in tough conditions found in food and medical packaging plants. This system inspects packages before they are filled, helping catch contamination or defects early and preventing costly product recalls. The DS1250LJX uses advanced laser scanners to carefully check every part of each package, even if the container is clear or see-through. It can detect tiny bits of plastic, dust or sticky spots that regular visual checks might miss. Built to withstand heat, humidity and high-pressure cleaning, the DS1250LJX connects easily to existing packaging machines and lets operators control it smoothly. Todd Lizotte, CEO and co-founder of Bold, said: "Even with the most diligent packaging practices, an entire product batch can be derailed by a fragment of plastic, a trace of dust or misapplied adhesive. Product recalls can also lead to costly lawsuits and damage to brand trust. Our system avoids these mishaps in the first place." "In a competitive market, where one quality slip can shift customer loyalty, the cost of not having such a system is far greater than the cost of implementation. The DS1250LJX platform protects brands from the downstream effects of defective packaging and contamination leading to product recalls and FDA investigations." "This system not only enhances the inspection process but also streamlines production by proactively identifying potential issues."