Foodtech startup Project Eaden is using tech to create tasty and sustainable food at scale, including animal-free steaks. The startup has just snapped up €8 million in fresh funding to ramp up operations.
The food industry is one that’s all about passion. From those cultivating and growing the produce, to those generating the recipes and cooking it up, all the way to those enjoying the taste – the entire spectrum of the food industry requires enjoyment and appreciation for the products. Aiming to create ‘earthly pleasures’ for foodies, whilst prioritising sustainability without compromise, Project Eaden has just secured €8 million.
Founded earlier this year, the Berlin-based startup’s seed round was led by Creandum and was joined by Magnetic, Atlantic Food Labs, Shio Capital, Trellis Road and prominent Angel investors.
The food industry, whilst one deeply rooted in the full lifecycle of creation, has been exposed as a main pollutant and emitter of greenhouse gases – with meat products taking a chunk of responsibility. Despite this, meat consumption is growing. With a growing population, loss of land, and, a climate crisis – the current food supply chain and consumption are simply not sustainable.
Co-founder, Hubertus Bessau, stated: “We have to solve the very human dilemma of giving in to our cravings despite knowing better. It must become a pleasure to save our planet.”
It’s thought that one of the reasons we are not moving to suitable food alternatives is due to a lack of viable and affordable alternative options on the market. Certainly, in the last couple of years, we have seen a massive surge of plant-based products emerge and foodtech is a sector that is turning the heat up in the kitchen. The alternatives are there and the market is getting more and more competitive.
Putting their place in the pot, Project Eaden has been described as ‘the Tesla of sustainable food’. The startup is using innovative platform technology to develop a wide range of never-seen-before products that enhance the pleasures of life without compromise. The foodtech innovator’s products’ are highly scalable and can lead to attractive customer prices and broad adoption. The first creation that is getting attention? Animal-free steaks.
The startup has an interesting founding team, with experience in all dimensions of building successful food companies. Dr.-Ing. David Schmelzeisen leads Project Eaden’s R&D. He obtained his PhD in engineering from RWTH Aachen University and is a sophisticated hobby chef. Hubertus Bessau brings in his entrepreneurial and brand-building expertise from co-founding and scaling the iconic custom-made cereal brand mymuesli. Jan Wilmking applies his expertise in building companies from small to large, which he gained from 6 years in Zalando’s top management team.
Co-founder, Jan Wilmking, added: “As a father of three young kids, I want the next generations to lead a life full of joy as well. Project Eaden brings together world-class scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to contribute to that.”
Making sustainable food products that are scalable, irresistible and affordable is part of the wider impact-driven goal of helping address the global climate and food crisis. This fresh funding will support the young team to further develop its proprietary tech and make the first products ready to market – with plans to hit the shelf in 2023.
Carl Fritjofsson, General Partner at Creandum: “David, Hubertus and Jan really make up the complementary dream team you look for as a venture investor, and when I first saw and tasted the steak prototype they had built I was mindblown. We couldn’t be more proud for Creandum to be part of Project Eaden in solving one of humanity’s biggest challenges with mouthwatering food products at scale.”
via https://www.AiUpNow.com
June 30, 2022 at 03:47AM by contact@bcurdy.com, Khareem Sudlow
