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- FoodTech Weekly #243 by Daniel S. Ruben
FoodTech Weekly #243 by Daniel S. Ruben
News on FoodTech, food, and society
Daniel S. Ruben
April 25, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
In partnership with
#243
Hi there,
Swedish eurodance musician E-Type released his first new single in years this week —in collaboration with producer responsibility organization Pantamera — in which he encouraged people to recycle more plastic bottles (in Sweden, about 90% of cans and bottles are recycled).
Sweden has come a long way since its 1960s public service announcement videos that instructed people to actually dump trash in nature:
This week's rundown:
🤑 $4M in funding for plant-based smoked salmon analog
🦅 Why farmers are using lasers to scare away birds
🙊 No monkey business: Chimpanzees observed getting drunk on fermented foods
Let's go!
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💰 Funding
🇺🇸 BioLumic has closed a $8.3M Series B round, backed by e.g. Ki Tua Fund, Azolla Ventures, and iSelect Fund. The startup has developed a method to improve seed traits in a non-GMO way by using precise light signals (h/t NatureTech Memos).
🇦🇷 Puna Bio, which makes organic biofertilizers with microorganisms that help rejuvenate acidic and salinated soils to boost crop yields, has bagged an undisclosed investment sum from e.g. Corteva, Dalus Capital, and SOSV.
🇸🇪 Greenhouse farming-as-a-service company Agtira has raised SEK 72M ($7.5M) from existing shareholders.
🇮🇹 Smush Materials has scored €1M ($1.14M) in pre-seed, led by CDP Venture Capital SGR. The company develops sustainable mycelium-based compostable packaging that can replace traditional expanded polystyrene packaging.
🇮🇱 Simpliigood has reeled in $4M for its 100% plant-based smoked salmon analog, which it will now bring to market.
Simpliigood
🇳🇱 The EGGcellent project, focused on developing a vegan alternative to chicken eggs for the bakery industry, has clinched €1M ($1.14M) in funding from the Province of South Holland.
🇺🇸 Irrigreen has harvested a $19M Series A, backed by e.g. Natural Ventures and Burnt Island Ventures. The startup develops smart sprinklers that know where to water.
🎙️ Investment Climate: César Augier of Jay & Joy on how to get funded in 2025
This week, Alex Shandrovsky met with César Augier, CEO of Jay & Joy, a pioneer in organic plant-based cheese in Europe. The episode covers how César rescued the company from bankruptcy, rebuilt trust after a product recall, and secured a €2M fundraiser over the holiday season to acquire a major competitor.
Top three findings from this conversation:
Rescuing a Brand Can Be a Strategic Move. Cesar bought Jay & Joy out of receivership, seeing strong fundamentals despite a product recall. ‘ I met the leader in France on plant-based meat, and we discussed what was happening to Jay & Joy. The products were amazing, and the fundamentals of the company were very good. So we decided to start a due diligence. We met the previous founders. We met the team, we discussed with clients, customers, etc. After a few days, we were convinced that there was an opportunity and that this company should continue to operate.’
Time Pressure Shaped Investor Strategy. The raise had to close in 40 days over the holidays, so Cesar pivoted from VCs to agile family offices and angels. ‘We spent a lot of time with VC funds... it was too short. So we pivoted to family offices and business angels.’
Use Strategic Channels for Angel Funding. Cesar tapped into French angel networks like Station F and Super Capital, raising €500K through tailored outreach. ‘ We met people through those channels and we used other networks of entrepreneurs and investors in France.’
🧐 Noteworthy
📈 New data shows that $1.17B was committed during Q1 2025 to regenerative agriculture and food system projects across the globe.
🔫 Farmers are using lasers to scare away wild birds that carry avian flu. Pew pew.
🐂 Researchers at the University of Florida have tested a feed additive made of flaxseed and pea protein that they say could help reduce cow methane emissions.
👀 Can plants really ‘see’? Fascinating read from Asimov Press.
🧑🚀️ A European Space Agency project is assessing the viability of growing protein, carbs, and fats (and eventually e.g. meat) in space, as it currently costs up to £20K ($27K) per day to feed an astronaut.
💡 Agtech VC: Bear Case, Bull Case, and what comes next. Great thought piece from Sarah Nolet at Tenacious Ventures.
🌍 News from the FoodTech Weekly community
👨🏻💻 Omni Pet (🇬🇧/🇪🇺) is looking for a CRM Retention Manager… Alcolase (🇩🇰) is hiring a Chief Scientific Officer.
🚀 Applications for the 2025 Norrsken Accelerator are now open. Europe’s best pre‑seed founders can look forward to €250K up-front (with zero program fees), a growth sprint in Stockholm with a world-class network of investors and advisors (including yours truly), pitching at Impact/Week Barcelona, and lifetime membership in Norrsken’s global ecosystem of founders and investors solving the world’s biggest challenges. Apply now.
💰 Kickstarting For Good is offering $200K in seed funding for this year's graduates. The programme is for nonprofit organisations and social-impact initiatives that are looking to bring about positive change in the food system. Apply by April 30 (second window closes on May 23).
Kickstarting For Good
📑 New Wave Biotech and Nurasa published a new whitepaper: The Lean Startup Meets FoodTech: Does It Work?
Want to share some FoodTech news/project with other FoodTech Weekly subscribers? Hit reply.
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🎲 Random Stuff
🌭 Hot dog delivery system:
This is man’s greatest achievement
— Foodies (@MrFoodies)
7:43 AM • Apr 21, 2025
🐒 Scientists have found that chimpanzees share fermented fruits to get buzzed.
🐫 India is rapidly losing its camels, partly due to bad policy (h/t AgriBusiness Matters).
I love you.
Daniel
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🎵 This issue was produced while listening to Waiting for a Girl like You by Foreigner.
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