Last week, the Berkeley cultured meat startup unveiled its cultured Wagyu burger at a private tasting hosted by KITCHENTOWN in Ohio Valley, California. 15 startups participated in the event, showcasing their products to journalists and investors.
On social media, Ohio Valley said, “Better than animals! Ohayo’s second historic taste passed with flying colors. Testers say farmed wagyu burgers taste better than conventional burgers. Next stop Wagyu Steak!”
The event was hosted by Cult Food Science, an investment platform focused on cellular agriculture (with Canadian entrepreneur Marc Lustig as the company’s largest individual shareholder) and Vevolution, the global vegan investment platform. Eric Amundson, CEO and co-founder of Vevolution, recently published an Op-Ed on VegEconomist discussing plant cell culture technology.y
Plant proteins and farmed meats
Founded in 2020 by Jess Krieger, Ohio Valley Farmed Wagyu combines plant-based and farmed meats to produce beef. The company says it has developed a “revolutionary process” to recreate the protein, fat and texture of beef.
“We combine science and spirit to create a better future for humanity”
Krieger is one of the early pioneers of the cultured meat industry and in 2010 was the first scientist in the world to pursue a career exclusively in cultured meat science.
In 2019, he co-founded Artemys Foods as CSO, developing the Artemis Burger (a farmed beef burger). She is also the founder of Women of Cellular Agriculture (WOCA), an organization that supports women in STEM pursuing careers in cellular agriculture and cultured meat.
In November 2021, the investment company Agronomywhich focuses on cellular agriculture, has completed a $1.5 million subscription in the form of a Common Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) in Ohio. Funding was also received from California Biotech Cult Food Science Early 2021.
“We combine science and spirit to create a better future for humanity. We combine biology with technology to create real meat that tastes just like animal meat. Your taste buds will thank you, and so will the animals and the planet. Welcome to the future of food!” Ohio Valley said on its website.