Barely a month goes by without a new startup producing ‘animal-free’ dairy proteins via genetically engineered microbes or plants. But what will distinguish the winners from the losers in this nascent space?
Like many startups, TurtleTree has made a strategic pivot, shifting from cell-cultured milk to producing high-value dairy bioactives via precision fermentation.
Today there are multiple startups making dairy proteins without cows. But back in 2014, Ryan Pandya and Perumal Gandhi were in a field of one…
Is there a market for ‘animal-free’ dairy? Is making it via precision fermentation commercially viable, and how do you talk to consumers about it?
US dairy farmers have urged the FDA to crack down on ‘animal free dairy milk’ labels “before this situation spins out of control.”
“Wood Milk started with a simple idea,” says actress Aubrey Plaza in a new spoof ad from MilkPEP, the dairy industry-backed body behind the iconic ‘Got Milk’ ads. “I saw a tree and I asked myself: Can I drink this?”
Danone’s corporate venture arm Danone Manifesto Ventures has taken a minority stake in Imagindairy, an Israeli startup making ‘animal-free’ dairy proteins via precision fermentation (using microbes instead of cows).
Thanks to advances in synthetic biology, startups are now programming microbes to express everything from egg albumin without chickens to whey protein without cows. But when animal products are no longer made by animals, what do we call them?
The meat and dairy sector “performs very poorly on three biodiversity metrics” that are key to the Paris Agreement for Nature.
Danone North America now sources 2.4 billion pounds of its dairy milk from its regenerative ag program, representing 75% of its milk sourcing.
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack also announced new funds, partners and innovators for the AIM for Climate global initiative.
Fyto’s automated grow environments for aquatic plants promise to provide a more sustainable protein base for animal feed, human food, and soil amendments.
“Our farmers are part of the value chain and we impart the importance of quality and preserving natural resources,” says co-founder Gianluca Franzoni.
CH4 is starting with an initial focus on Australia, New Zealand, and North America beef cattle, including a partnership with ingredients processor CirPro.
Seed funding will enable the US- and India-based company to further develop its milk alternative made with mammalian cell cultured technology.
The Israeli startup’s total seed funding now stands at $28 million.
Keeping tabs on meat and dairy corporate climate goals is vital to holding these companies accountable for meaningful emissions reductions.
Ag journalist-turned-startup founder Tamara Leigh discusses a career spent championing the community, the cows, and other women.
“In seeking Series A investors, we were intentional about collaborating with experienced food industry professionals,” says CEO Matt Gibson.
It’s on a mission to help India’s 100 million dairy farmers and workers get access to formal banking and other financial services.
Smoke & mirrors, not worth the extra cost: 50 US farmers speak out on carbon markets