Mewery, a startup focused on the development of cultivated meat using a co-cultivation process involving animal cells and microalgae, has secured €3 million in funding to further its research and scale its production capabilities. The majority of the funds, €2.5 million, come from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, administered by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. The remaining €0.4 million stems from Mewery’s participation in the Horizon Europe research program, specifically through an international consortium led by Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Funding paves way for pilot-scale production
This financial support follows a comprehensive evaluation of Mewery’s technology by independent biotech and venture capital experts, confirming the robustness of its co-cultivation process, business model, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL). According to Mewery’s founder, Roman Lauš, the funding will support the transition to pilot-scale production, with the company planning to produce larger quantities of biomass by the end of 2025.
“We are already engaging with meat producers to explore the potential for pilot projects in the coming months. Our goal is to test our technology with these companies and move closer to bringing our product to market,” Lauš stated.
The funding from the EIC Accelerator program and the Horizon Europe consortium also marks a critical step in Mewery’s efforts to raise the profile of cultivated meat, an industry facing a significant decline in investment. Cultivated meat funding has dropped 89% globally since 2021, with many early-stage companies struggling to secure capital. Mewery’s success in securing funds in this environment underscores the growing interest in alternative protein sources and innovative production technologies.
Co-cultivation tech boosts efficiency and nutrition
Since its founding, Mewery has developed a proprietary co-cultivation technology that combines pork and microalgae cells. This method not only improves cell growth efficiency and reduces production costs but also enhances the nutritional composition of the final product. The startup has already demonstrated its technology in four prototypes and is currently producing small quantities of its cultivated meat in a medium-sized bioreactor.
The company’s success has drawn attention from both investors and research institutions. Mewery’s participation in the Horizon Europe program places it alongside 19 partners from eight European countries working to expand the use of microalgae-based products. Mewery’s role in this consortium will focus on validating microalgae extracts for use in animal cell cultivation, which is crucial for sustainable alternative protein production.
The funding and the recent Seal of Excellence awarded to Mewery further confirm the company’s potential within the biotechnology sector. The Seal of Excellence is a European quality label recognizing projects that meet high standards of scientific and technical quality, as evaluated by independent experts. This recognition positions Mewery as one of the top early-stage cultivated meat startups globally.
Over €4 million raised to scale technology
Since its inception, Mewery has raised over €4 million in funding, including public support, venture capital investments, and awards from international competitions. This financing is critical as the company moves toward scaling its technology and preparing for industrial testing.
Lauš added, “This funding and recognition validate the scientific quality of our work and highlight the growing role of the Czech Republic in the global biotechnology ecosystem. It also underscores the importance of cultivated meat as a sustainable alternative to traditional animal farming.”
