Netherlands-based Meatable, a pioneering startup in the cultivated meat industry, has been awarded €7.6 million through the Innovation Credit program administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). This funding represents a critical step in Meatable’s journey toward developing sustainable meat alternatives, a solution that addresses the environmental and social challenges posed by conventional meat production.
Supporting Innovation Through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency
The Innovation Credit awarded to Meatable is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency’s (RVO) efforts to foster innovation and economic growth within the country. As a government agency operating under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, RVO is committed to helping businesses and organizations invest and expand their operations both domestically and internationally. RVO plays a crucial role in supporting initiatives that promote technological advancements, sustainability, and economic development.
In a LinkedIn post, Meatable expressed gratitude to the RVO for its ongoing support:
“We’d like to thank the Netherlands Enterprise Agency for their trust in us and great collaboration on our journey so far – their experience, knowledge and tools have helped us mature as an organisation. We look forward to the next chapters!”
The funding is expected to significantly accelerate Meatable’s efforts as it prepares to bring its cultivated meat products to the commercial market, providing a much-needed sustainable solution to meet global meat consumption demands.
Building on Success: Meatable’s Innovation Journey
The Innovation Credit follows Meatable’s successful completion of a €30 million Series B funding round earlier in 2023. The startup is focused on developing and scaling cultivated meat technology, which uses a single sample of animal cells to produce real meat, without the need for raising or slaughtering animals.
This technology offers a solution to the growing global demand for meat, a demand that has been linked to environmental degradation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and social challenges such as hunger. Currently, around 828 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, and innovative approaches to food production are critical to addressing this crisis.
Meatable’s cultivated meat technology holds the potential to reduce the environmental impact of traditional livestock production, which is resource-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. The additional capital from the Innovation Credit will help the company enhance productivity and reduce costs, pushing it closer to commercialization.
Aiming for Global Impact: Meatable’s Vision for Sustainable Meat Production
As the world population grows, so does the demand for meat. Meatable aims to provide a sustainable, scalable alternative to traditional livestock farming by producing cultivated meat, which could reduce the environmental footprint of meat production while still offering consumers the taste and texture of real meat.
Meatable’s technology involves taking a small sample of animal cells, which are then grown in a lab environment to create muscle and fat—the building blocks of meat. This process drastically reduces the need for land, water, and feed, while eliminating the need for animal slaughter. The company’s ultimate goal is to partner with the meat industry and scale up the production of cultivated meat to meet global demand.
As the cultivated meat sector evolves, Meatable’s technology has the potential to address critical issues like food security, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. The startup’s mission aligns with the increasing global awareness of the need for sustainable solutions in food production, particularly in light of climate change and growing resource constraints.
Steering the Future: Leadership Transition and Strategic Vision
In May 2024, Meatable announced a significant leadership change, appointing Jeff Tripician as the company’s new CEO. Tripician succeeds Krijn de Nood, co-founder and former CEO, who now serves on the company’s Board of Directors. This leadership transition is part of Meatable’s broader strategy to scale up operations and continue advancing its cultivated meat technology.
With strong leadership, continued support from investors and the Dutch government, and growing momentum in the cultivated meat sector, Meatable is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of food production.
Meatable’s €7.6 million Innovation Credit from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency marks a critical milestone in the startup’s journey toward revolutionizing the global meat industry. As the company moves closer to commercialization, it stands at the forefront of a new era of sustainable food production, where cultivated meat offers a promising alternative to conventional livestock farming. By addressing the pressing issues of environmental degradation, food security, and animal welfare, Meatable’s innovations have the potential to reshape the future of food and create a more sustainable and equitable world.
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