German biotechnology company Innocent Meat has secured €6 million in a new financing round to support the development of its automated production technology for cultivated meat and to begin construction of a demonstration facility.
Founded in 2020 by Laura Gertenbach and Patrick Inomoto, Innocent Meat focuses on industrial-scale production systems for cell-based meat. The company’s platform is designed to enable meat processors to produce cultured meat using an integrated system that automates the entire production process—from the initial cultivation of animal cells to their growth and differentiation in nutrient media, through to the final meat product. The system is engineered to function with minimal technical expertise required from the user, relying largely on established market solutions and software-driven automation.
Demonstration plant and infrastructure next
CEO Laura Gertenbach said the funds will be directed toward establishing the company’s first demonstration plant, developing scalable infrastructure, and pursuing regulatory approvals in its initial target markets. “We are delighted by the trust and strategic vision of our investors.
“With this financing and further funding, we will be able to build our first demonstration plant for potential customers. We will also develop a scalable production infrastructure for our growth drivers and secure regulatory approvals in our initial target markets. We plan to enter the market in 2028.”
The financing round included support from GENIUS Venture Capital GmbH, which had previously invested in the company. Uwe Bräuer, Managing Director at GENIUS, noted the early backing provided to Innocent Meat and the continued investor interest in the cultivated meat sector. “The increasing interest from investors and meat processing companies in new technologies is welcome and confirms our initial investment decision,” he said.
Bräuer also called for more effective regional funding mechanisms to support startups working in advanced technologies. “Companies like Innocent Meat, which initiate such radical and disruptive innovations and can thus renew or transform entire industries, need significant financial support in the startup phase. Regional funding structures and financing instruments must be much better aligned with the needs and capabilities of young technology companies. Only then will it be possible for them to mobilize sufficient private capital.”
A plug-and-play model for meat processors
Innocent Meat’s production model is intended to reduce entry barriers for traditional meat producers seeking to incorporate cultivated meat into their operations. The company positions its platform as a modular solution that allows for the integration of cultured meat production without requiring users to invest in proprietary R&D or build internal expertise.
The company has set 2028 as its target year for market entry, pending regulatory approvals.
