Continuing our series on the emerging hot-spots of alt protein, we visit North Carolina, The Tar Heel State – a place known more for traditional BBQ than its natural countryside and cutting-edge food technology. But North Carolina’s world-class research facilities, low taxes, and pro-tech economy have attracted one of the world’s most innovative animal-free companies looking to disrupt a wide range of industries.
From farmed oysters and filet mignon to algae-based fabrics and next-level collagen, here are 7 startups that have made North Carolina a visionary hub for alt proteins and more.
1. There are no bad foods
Founded in 2014 by husband-and-wife team Mike Olianski and Saadarah Shadell, No Evil began its journey by selling handmade plant-based meats to local shops and restaurants in and around Asheville, North Carolina. The company’s products, including The Stallion (Italian sausage), Comrade Clock (chicken), and Pit Boss (pulled pork), quickly gained popularity and eventually expanded to thousands of major retailers, including Publix and Whole Foods.
Thanks to its work to reduce plastic packaging and other social initiatives, No Evil was selected as a Top 200 Impact Company in 2022. Also last year, the company launched protein-enriched beef strips, launched a crowdfunding campaign to reopen its online butcher shop and received bridge funding to expand its growth strategy.
Commenting on the re-opening of their online store, Shadell said: “No Evil Foods has been a customer-driven brand from day one. When we started expanding nationally, it was because we had unique products with an unbeatable combination of sustainability, recognized ingredients and a taste and texture that filled a void in consumers’ lives. Production has been disrupted Our products outside the homes of our customers. We’ve worked hard to fix this, and now is the time to do it Bring our plant meat back to the dinner table.”
2. Pearlita
It was North Carolina’s famous beaches that attracted Pearlita, the first farming company to work with oysters. Using both plant-based and cell-based technologies, Perlita aims to recreate its beloved flavors and textures. Valuable seafood delicacy, whose wild populations are greatly threatened by overharvesting and pollution.
Last year, Perlita opened a lab near Raleigh’s famed Triangle Research Park and, by November, hosted an exciting first tasting of its products, which included vegan oyster ceviche and raw oysters on the half-shell. More alt-seafood products, such as squid and scallops, are also in the works.
“It only made sense to base Perlita Foods out of Raleigh,” said Nikita Michelsen, co-founder and CEO of Perlita. “Not only is North Carolina home to the second-largest estuary system in the nation, it’s also a fast-growing biotech and food hub of the future. So we’ll be close to the ecosystem where oysters thrive.” between Hayes and other entrepreneurs – both of which we believe will accelerate our growth.”
3. Barbeque
Besides its scenery, of course, North Carolina is revered for its legendary BBQ, and this inspired native Lee Cooper to reinvent the state’s iconic pulled pork with plants instead of pigs. In 2017, BarveQ launched to offer authentic, wood-smoked plant-based meats, including pulled bbq, naked bbq and carnitas. After raising over $3M in funding, Barvecue opens the world’s largest plant-based smokehouse facility – The Carolina Smokehouse – in Cornelius, NC, which can produce 800,000 pounds of vegan BBQ meat per year.
Following the recent close of BarveQ’s seed equity round, Cooper said: “There is a huge opportunity to define the future of plant-based food and the team at BarveQ is not only creating delicious food, but also an amazing emerging brand and business. It’s unique in our industry.”
4. Myodenovo
Based in Raleigh, Myodenovo is the latest startup to take on the daunting challenge of growing fat, whole meats, specifically filet mignon. To accomplish this, Myodenovo – led by bioengineer and Memphis Mets alum George Engelmayer – is developing an automated process for making whole cuts with bioreactors, as well as its patent-pending, plant-based scaffolding technology. In April 2023, the company revealed that it had raised $103,00 from investors and had successfully developed its first prototype – a bite-sized piece of filet mignon.
“We use bioreactors to create nutritious, sustainable scaffolds that nature offers to provide meat fans with succulent, texturally pleasing cuts that are prized, all without harming a single animal, enabling farmers to grow good quality and tender meat that fans love. by “, said Myodenovo.
5. Keel Labs (formerly AlgiKnit)
In addition to food, North Carolina’s thriving tech scene is attracting talent from the world of sustainable fashion, such as biomaterials pioneer Keel Labs. In 2021 Brooklyn-based Kill Labs decided to move its facilities specializing in algae-derived yarns and open an innovation hub in Triangle Park, NC. Keel Labs combines seaweed-derived alginate with renewable biopolymers to create eco-conscious textiles, offering a viable alternative to polluting fibers like polyester and nylon. To date, Keel Labs has raised over $13M in funding.
“The Kell Labs name embodies our vision of expanding horizons, our commitment to innovation and opportunity,” said co-founder and CEO Tessa Callaghan. “We are building a future where sustainable materials harness the power of our oceans for a wide range of industries and applications, repairing humanity’s relationship with our natural ecosystems.”
6. Geltech
In addition to meat, meat by-products are widely used in multiple industries and constitute a lucrative $8.4 billion market. Recognizing this huge opportunity, Geltech was created in 2020 to create eco-friendly alternatives to collagen and gelatin with cellular agriculture. after In just two years, the North Carolina startup revealed that it had developed CULT has partnered with Food Science to launch its products in bio-identical and functional animal-free collagen, and cruelty-free pet food.
Fun note: Founder Stephanie Michelsen is the sister of Perliter CEO Nikita Michelsen.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that we need to change many of our existing practices and ways of sustaining our planet,” Michelsen said. “This achievement shows that we have a way and now we have set the stage for a sustainable future of protein production.”
7. BioMilQ
In 2022, with an infant formula shortage gripping the US, BIOMILQ was hard at work producing “human milk for babies” – a breakthrough solution for parents who want to breastfeed but can’t. Using cell-culturing technology, BIOMILQ, led by Michelle Egger and Leila Strickland, is producing human breast milk outside the body as a healthier alternative to dairy-based formulas. In 2021, the North Carolina startup raised $21M in Series A funding from investors and says its technology more closely matches breast milk’s nutritional profile of protein, fat and carbohydrates.
On BIOMILQ’s Series A investment, Lindsey McCorkle, director of Blue Horizon, told VegEconomist: “BIOMILQ’s technology will have countless benefits – both for maternal health, mental and physical, in addition to providing infants with an unparalleled nutritional formula option. BIOMILQ’s impressive technology coupled with its thoughtful product approach makes it an investment we are incredibly proud to be a part of.”