Mosa Meat forms partnerships to launch its cultured meat

Dutch cultured meat company Mosa Meat has entered into a strategic partnership with Nutreco and Lowercarbon Capital, as it aims to accelerate the commercial release of its lab-grown meat.

In 2013, Mosa Meat produced the ‘world’s first’ beef burger created directly from cow cells, following years of research conducted at Maastricht University. The company is now focused on making its cultured meat products commercially available by 2021, as it aims to provide a sustainable and healthier alternative on a large scale.

The partnership follows the start-up’s announcement in 2018, in which it secured €7.5 million in a Series A funding round led by M Ventures and Bell Food Group.

Since its funding, Mosa Meat says it has been growing significantly and its pilot production plant, where its first commercial products will be grown, has started construction.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of SHV Holdings N.V., Nutreco is a producer of animal nutrition, fish feed and processed meat products.

The US-based venture firm Lowercarbon Capital funds research and invests in planet-healing technologies to reduce emissions and remove carbon from the atmosphere.

“As we enter a new phase, we’re excited to work with Nutreco, who have brought us their deep expertise managing manufacturing supply chains at a truly global scale, as well as Lowercarbon Capital, who draw on deep experience accelerating companies to have a global impact,” said Maarten Bosch, CEO of Mosa Meat.

Chris Sacca, chairman of Lowercarbon Capital, said: “We’re proud to support Mosa Meat because of their ambition to cultivate beef that’s healthier for people and the planet. As the global meat-eating population grows, they’ll have the choice to eat real steak without concern for methane emissions, deforestation, antibiotics, or even having to slaughter an animal.”

Nutreco CEO Rob Koremans said: “As the global population continues to grow, the increased demand for protein will place more pressure on our food production system. If we are serious about feeding the future in a sustainable way, we will need to produce protein from a variety of sources, including animal agriculture as well as alternative proteins.”

Both partners will join M Ventures and Bell Food Group among other investors who have funded Mosa Meat throughout its development.