Israeli-based startup attracts $3 million in seed funding from Singapore, US & Europe-based investors.
SuperMeat, an Israeli cultured meat startup, has raised a $3 million seed round to develop its cultured chicken product in the first of what will likely be several funding rounds in the area of cellular agriculture this year.
Cellular agriculture is a method of agricultural production enabling the growth of meat, eggs, and leather in cell culture rather than by raising and slaughtering livestock.
SuperMeat’s funding round was dominated by impact investors New Crop Capitaland Stray Dog Capital — both focused on ending animal suffering. Singapore’s Sirius Ventures and one of Europe’s largest poultry producers, Germany’s PHW also participated in the round.
Participation from PHW is the latest example of a significant player in the meat industry investing in an alternative protein startup, following Cargill’s investment in the most funded cultured meat startup to date Memphis Meats, and Tyson’s investment in plant-based burger company Beyond Meat.
“We at PHW have time and again left the beaten path in conducting our business,” said PHW-Gruppe CEO Peter Wesjohann in a statement. “This approach not only facilitates the development of best-in-class animal welfare concepts in our core poultry business but will also lead to the strengthening of our vegan product portfolio, confirming our leading role in the global consumer trend towards a cleaner, more protein-rich diet.”
SuperMeat says that it will have a product on shelves in three years, which is directly in line with Memphis Meats’ to-market time frame. SuperMeat’s co-founder and CEO Ido Savir told Tech Crunch that the company would start with chicken intended for processed food to speed up the path to market, as whole muscles like chicken breast are more difficult to culture.