North America is leading the charge in cultivated meat, a process where real meat is grown from animal cells in bioreactors, skipping traditional farming. This method uses up to 99% less land and 90% less water, addressing food sustainability as the global population grows. With $4.5 billion invested across 46 startups by early 2024, the sector is gaining momentum, particularly after the USDA approved cultivated chicken from UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat in 2023.
Here are five standout North American startups reshaping meat production:
- UPSIDE Foods: Known for its cultivated chicken and beef, it raised $608M by 2022 and achieved full U.S. regulatory approval.
- GOOD Meat: A leader in cultivated chicken, it was the first globally approved in Singapore (2020) and gained U.S. clearance in 2023.
- Wildtype: Specialises in sushi-grade cultivated salmon, achieving FDA clearance for seafood in 2025.
- Mission Barns: Focuses on cultivated pork fat, launching the first cultivated pork products in 2025.
- Bond Pet Foods: Creates cultivated proteins for pet food, offering a sustainable alternative for animal nutrition.
These companies are driving advancements in cultivated meat, tackling challenges like cost, regulatory approval, and consumer acceptance. With ongoing investment and innovation, cultivated meat is edging closer to becoming a mainstream protein source.
Top 5 Cultivated Meat Startups in North America: Funding, Products & Regulatory Status Comparison
US approves 2 lab-grown meat companies: What you need to know #shorts
1. Upside Foods
Founded in 2015 under the name Memphis Meats, Upside Foods has become a standout in the cultivated meat industry. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company made history by creating the world’s first cultivated beef meatball in 2016. It later introduced its first commercial cultivated meat product in the United States.
Funding Achievements
Upside Foods has secured impressive financial backing, raising $400 million during its Series C round in April 2022. This round marked the largest funding achievement in the cultivated meat industry, pushing the company’s valuation past $1 billion and bringing total funding to $608 million by 2022 [6]. Investors include major players like Cargill and Tyson Foods, as well as tech icons such as Bill Gates and Richard Branson. Global investment firms like Temasek, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Abu Dhabi Growth Fund are also on board.
"UPSIDE has reached an historic inflection point, moving from R&D to commercialisation." - Dr Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder, Upside Foods
This funding supported the development of the 53,000-square-foot Engineering, Production, and Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Emeryville, California. It also facilitated the acquisition of Cultured Decadence in 2022, enabling the company to expand its offerings beyond poultry and beef.
Regulatory Milestones
In November 2022, the FDA issued a "no questions" letter, confirming the safety of Upside Foods' cultivated chicken. This was followed by USDA label approval and a Grant of Inspection in June 2023, completing the regulatory process [7]. Shortly after, in July 2023, the company fulfilled its first commercial order of cultivated chicken for Bar Crenn in San Francisco. Upside Foods has also contributed to shaping industry guidelines by co-founding the Alliance for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation in 2019.
These regulatory achievements have laid the groundwork for further advancements in production technologies.
Product Innovation
Upside Foods has significantly reduced production costs while maintaining high standards. Back in 2016, producing cultivated beef cost $18,000 per pound. By June 2017, this figure had dropped to under $2,400 per pound [1]. The company has introduced innovations like animal component-free cell culture feed and cell lines that eliminate the need for platelet-derived growth factors. Its product range has expanded from textured chicken filets to ground products, including "Chicken Essentials", a blend of cultivated chicken and plant-based ingredients. The entire production cycle - from cell to harvest - takes about three weeks [8].
"When I tasted it, I was like... okay, this is the future. I love UPSIDE." - Dominique Crenn, 3-Star Michelin Chef
Market Impact
Upside Foods has set the stage for the cultivated meat sector in North America through its technical and regulatory successes. The company’s transparent approach, which includes glass-walled production facilities and public tours of the EPIC centre, has aimed to ease consumer concerns about the technology. In June 2024, Upside Foods hosted a public tasting event in Miami called "Freedom of Food", designed to highlight both consumer interest and product safety [1].
Despite these accomplishments, the company has faced operational hurdles. In February 2024, plans for a large-scale production facility in Illinois were cancelled, with the focus shifting to expanding operations in California. Even so, Upside Foods continues to lead the charge in bringing cultivated meat to mainstream markets, setting a high bar for other startups in the field.
2. GOOD Meat (Eat Just)
GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of Eat Just, made headlines in December 2020 when it became the first company to gain regulatory approval for cultivated meat in Singapore. Building on this success, the company turned its focus to North America, securing federal clearance in 2023 from both the FDA and USDA for its cultivated chicken products.
Funding Achievements
In May 2021, GOOD Meat raised £170 million from investors such as UBS O'Connor, K3 Ventures, and Graphene Ventures. This followed a £200 million investment in its parent company, Eat Just, earlier that March. By mid-2021, the total capital raised reached £370 million, setting a new funding record in the cultivated meat industry, surpassing the previous benchmark held by UPSIDE Foods [9].
"This investment... points to what's ahead: meat without killing animals will replace conventional meat at some point in our lifetimes. The faster we make that happen, the healthier our planet will be." - Josh Tetrick, Co-founder and CEO of Eat Just [9]
The funds were allocated to expanding production capacity and advancing research, with a focus on the £193 billion global chicken market [9].
Regulatory Milestones
GOOD Meat's regulatory journey began with its success in Singapore and continued with an FDA "no questions" letter in March 2023, followed by USDA label approval in June 2023. By July 2023, cultivated chicken from GOOD Meat debuted at China Chilcano, a Washington, D.C. restaurant by chef José Andrés [10].
However, the regulatory path hasn't been without hurdles. In May 2024, Florida and Alabama introduced state-level bans on the production and sale of cultivated meat, creating challenges despite federal approvals. These conflicting regulations underscore the political complexities that the industry faces in North America.
Amid these developments, GOOD Meat has also made strides in product innovation.
Product Innovation
GOOD Meat has adopted a hybrid approach, combining cultivated animal cells with plant-based proteins to optimise taste, texture, and cost-efficiency [5]. Their focus on cultivated chicken has led to its incorporation into a variety of dishes, including salads, dumplings, and stir-fries [9].
In January 2023, the company announced plans to install a massive 6,000-litre bioreactor in Singapore, one of the largest in the industry [2]. By 2024, GOOD Meat introduced "GOOD Meat 3" at Huber's Butchery in Singapore, a product containing 3% cultivated cells blended with plant-based ingredients. This marked the first time a cultivated meat product was available for purchase in a traditional retail setting [3][10].
"GOOD Meat is real meat made without tearing down a forest or taking a life." - GOOD Meat [10]
Market Impact
GOOD Meat's innovations and early regulatory wins have positioned it as a leader in the cultivated meat space. Its achievement of being first to market globally and securing U.S. regulatory approval has cemented its influence in North America. Surveys indicate that 70% of U.S. consumers are open to switching to cultivated chicken [9]. Partnerships with chefs like José Andrés have further helped introduce cultivated meat as a premium dining option, building trust through familiar restaurant experiences.
Currently, cultivated chicken costs around £20 per pound, compared to £3–£5 per pound for conventional chicken [5]. While these price differences remain a challenge, GOOD Meat's strategic partnerships and regulatory successes have laid the groundwork for bringing cultivated meat to a wider audience. Overcoming cost barriers and navigating regional regulations will be critical to its long-term success in the market.
3. Wildtype
While many cultivated meat companies focus on chicken and beef, Wildtype has carved out a niche in cultivated seafood. Based in San Francisco, the company specialises in producing sushi-grade cultivated salmon, positioning itself uniquely in the market.
Funding Achievements
In February 2022, Wildtype raised an impressive £77 million ($100 million) in Series B funding, making it the largest funding round for any cultivated seafood company. This brought their total capital to over £95 million ($123 million) [11][12][14]. The round attracted high-profile investors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos (via Bezos Expeditions), Robert Downey Jr.'s Footprint Coalition, and L Catterton. Earlier, a £9.6 million ($12.5 million) Series A round enabled the construction of the world's first operational cultivated seafood pilot plant in San Francisco. By late 2021, this facility had the capacity to produce 22,700 kg (50,000 lb) of cultivated salmon annually. The Series B funding has since supported the expansion to a larger facility in San Francisco and the development of a new production plant in the Pacific Northwest.
"The organising thought there was let's build a pilot plant on Series A money... And we built the world's first operational cultivated seafood pilot plant." – Justin Kolbeck, CEO, Wildtype [11]
This financial backing reflects the company's ambition to reshape seafood production alongside its cultivated meat counterparts.
Regulatory Milestones
Wildtype achieved a significant regulatory milestone on 28 May 2025, becoming the first company to receive FDA clearance for cultivated seafood in the U.S. [13][14]. The FDA's "no questions" letter confirmed that Wildtype's cultivated coho salmon is as safe as traditional fish. Following this approval, Wildtype's cultivated salmon debuted in June 2025 at Kann, a Portland restaurant owned by James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet. By August 2025, Chef Adam Tortosa introduced Wildtype salmon in omakase menus at Robin, a high-end San Francisco restaurant, marking its first commercial appearance in its home state. However, not all states have embraced cultivated meat. Several, including Florida and Alabama, have implemented bans, prompting Wildtype to file a federal lawsuit against Texas in September 2025 to challenge its prohibition [12][15].
Product Innovation
Wildtype employs a distinctive technical approach in the cultivated meat space, using mesenchymal cells from young coho salmon. These cells are engineered to grow in liquid suspension, eliminating the need for surface attachment [14]. The cultivation process occurs in bioreactors resembling those used in brewing.
"We provide them with the same nutrients that the fish would consume in the wild…and essentially have them grow in a system that looks kind of like a beer brewery." – Justin Kolbeck, Co-founder, Wildtype [16]
The company has also reduced production costs by removing expensive components like insulin and albumin from its growth media [14]. Back in 2019, a single spicy salmon roll cost around £154 ($200) to produce, but Wildtype has since significantly lowered costs, bringing them closer to conventional salmon prices. In addition to sushi-grade blocks ("saku") and sheets that can be shaped into various cuts, Wildtype's products retain the nutritional benefits of fish, such as omega-3 fatty acids, while avoiding contaminants like mercury, microplastics, parasites, and antibiotics.
Market Impact
Wildtype's early entry into the market positions it as a leader in tackling pressing seafood challenges. Global fish consumption has surged by about 30% since 1998 and is expected to rise by another 80% by 2050. Meanwhile, over 90% of global fish stocks are already fully exploited or overexploited [12]. To address this, Wildtype is expanding beyond fine dining through partnerships with SNOWFOX, which operates in more than 1,200 grocery stores, and Pokéworks, which has 65 fast-casual restaurant locations. This strategy could help Wildtype tap into the £198 billion ($257 billion) global seafood market [12].
"In the early days, we will be a very supply-constrained business. The seafood market is 350 billion pounds a year, a staggering amount of volume. And, to be on the menu at five or six restaurants is just a drop in the bucket." – Justin Kolbeck, CEO, Wildtype [11]
Wildtype's regulatory achievements and legal efforts may open doors for broader acceptance of cultivated meat across North America. Alongside companies like Upside Foods and GOOD Meat, Wildtype highlights the region's leadership in advancing cultivated food technology.
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4. Mission Barns
Following the advancements made by companies like Upside Foods, GOOD Meat, and Wildtype, Mission Barns brings a fresh focus to the cultivated meat scene by zeroing in on fat. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, this company specialises in cultivated pork fat, which it combines with plant proteins to create hybrid products such as meatballs, bacon, and sausages.
Funding Achievements
Founded in 2018, Mission Barns has raised over £46 million (US$60 million) in funding [17]. In April 2021, it secured £18.5 million (US$24 million) in Series A funding from investors like Lever VC, Gullspang Re:Food (backed by Oatly), Humboldt Fund, and Green Monday Ventures. This funding has supported the construction of a pilot production plant in San Francisco and the development of its proprietary Mission Fat technology. The company operates with a capital-light approach, licensing its bioreactor technology to established food companies.
"This will allow us to scale much faster without needing to deploy as many tens of millions of dollars in upfront capex." – Eitan Fischer, Founder and CEO, Mission Barns [18]
This financial support has also helped Mission Barns make quick progress on the regulatory front.
Regulatory Milestones
In March 2025, Mission Barns became the first company in the world to receive regulatory clearance for cultivated pork fat, earning an FDA "No Questions" letter [19]. By July 2025, it had passed USDA inspection and gained label approval, making it the fourth Cultivated Meat company in the U.S. to achieve full regulatory approval, following UPSIDE Foods, GOOD Meat, and Wildtype [17]. Shortly after, in September 2025, Mission Barns made history by launching its cultivated meatballs and bacon at Fiorella Sunset, a restaurant in San Francisco. This marked the first commercial sale of cultivated pork products globally. That same quarter, its products hit shelves at a Sprouts Farmers Market store in Oakland, becoming the first Cultivated Meat items sold in a U.S. grocery store [17].
With regulatory approvals secured, the company shifted its focus to refining and expanding its product offerings.
Product Innovation
Mission Barns has taken a "fat-first" approach, believing that fat is essential for delivering flavour and juiciness. The company argues that fat can solve the taste challenges that have hindered wider adoption of alternative proteins [17]. Their cultivated pork fat grows more quickly than muscle tissue, requires less expensive inputs, and significantly improves taste and texture even in small quantities. To achieve this, Mission Barns developed a proprietary bioreactor system tailored for high-density growth of pig fat cells, setting it apart from traditional suspension-based systems.
The company's product range currently includes Italian-style meatballs, Applewood smoked bacon, pepperoni, chorizo, and breakfast sausage, all incorporating its cultivated fat.
"Our mission has always been to solve the biggest barrier to alternative proteins: taste. Cultivated fat is the key." – Cecilia Chang, Chief Business Officer, Mission Barns [17]
Market Impact
Armed with its technological and regulatory successes, Mission Barns is now focused on expanding its market presence. Studies suggest that its cultivated fat could achieve cost parity with conventional pork fat at a 20,000-litre production scale [17]. Beyond the U.S., the company is actively pursuing regulatory approval in Singapore and eyeing markets in Hong Kong, Europe, and mainland China through partnerships with producers like HEROTEIN [17][19]. Its hybrid product strategy and licensing model could speed up market entry for the Cultivated Meat industry, especially as global meat demand is expected to double by 2050 [20][21].
Mission Barns is also working to build consumer acceptance through collaborations and events. For example, its partnership with Silva Sausage has enabled scaled-up production, while tasting events at Berkeley Bowl West, held between November 2025 and February 2026, have introduced its products to a wider audience [19].
5. Bond Pet Foods
Taking the concept of Cultivated Meat beyond human diets, Bond Pet Foods is redefining pet nutrition. Established in 2015 by Rich Kelleman in Nederland, Colorado, the company uses precision fermentation to create proteins like chicken, lamb, and salmon without traditional farming. This method tackles a pressing issue: pets are responsible for 20% to 30% of the global environmental impact linked to meat production [22].
Funding Achievements
Bond Pet Foods has raised £930,000 (US$1.2 million) to advance its fermentation technology, scale its operations, and establish a new production facility with a strengthened leadership team [4][22].
Product Innovation
The company’s fermented proteins are nutritionally complete, easy to digest, and mirror the nutritional profile of conventional meat. All this is achieved with significantly fewer resources and a much smaller carbon footprint [22].
"Employing similar processes to those used in craft brewing, we're able to harvest chicken, lamb, salmon, and other high-value proteins that can serve as the foundation of pet food recipes, with significantly less resources and carbon intensity - and without harming other animals." – Bond Pet Foods [22]
Market Impact
Bond Pet Foods demonstrates how Cultivated Meat technology can revolutionise pet food. By offering high-quality, sustainable proteins, it provides an alternative to the low-grade byproducts typically used in pet food. The pet food industry also presents a faster route to commercialisation, with fewer regulatory hurdles compared to human food production [22][23]. This innovation showcases how Cultivated Meat can expand into diverse areas, proving its potential beyond human consumption.
Startup Comparison Table
Here’s a quick snapshot of how different startups in the cultivated meat space are carving out their niches. The table below compares their funding, product focus, and regulatory progress, offering a clear view of their strategies.
| Startup | Primary Product Types | Total Funding | Regulatory Status | Key Market Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upside Foods | Chicken, Beef, Lobster | £450.2 million ($580.8M) [4] | Full U.S. regulatory clearance (FDA & USDA) [26][27] | Broad consumer meat portfolio; first FDA approval [25] |
| GOOD Meat | Chicken | £131.8 million ($170M) [4] | Full U.S. regulatory clearance; first global approval (Singapore, 2020) [4][26][27] | Commercial scale-up; first-to-market globally |
| Wildtype | Sushi-grade Salmon | £98.4 million ($127M) [24] | Pending regulatory clearance | High-end seafood; contaminant-free fish [24][25] |
| Mission Barns | Cultivated Fat & Meat | £21.3 million ($27.5M) [4] | FDA "no questions" letter for cultivated pork fat [27] | Flavour and texture enhancement for alternatives |
| Bond Pet Foods | Animal Protein for Pets | £930,000 ($1.2M) [4] | Pet food regulatory pathway | Sustainable pet nutrition; cruelty-free proteins |
This comparison highlights the diverse strategies shaping the future of cultivated meat. Upside Foods stands out with the highest funding at £450.2 million, focusing on a wide range of consumer meats and securing full U.S. regulatory clearance. GOOD Meat, with £131.8 million in funding, leads in global regulatory milestones, being the first approved in Singapore.
Wildtype is carving a niche in premium seafood with £98.4 million raised, while Mission Barns targets functional ingredients like cultivated fat, backed by £21.3 million. Meanwhile, Bond Pet Foods is trailblazing in sustainable pet nutrition with £930,000, benefiting from simpler regulatory pathways in the pet food sector [4].
The table also underscores how Upside Foods and GOOD Meat are ahead in regulatory approvals, while Mission Barns is making strides in the cultivated fat market. Each company’s focus reflects its unique approach to innovation and market entry.
Conclusion
The progress highlighted above shows how five North American startups are turning Cultivated Meat from a lab experiment into a commercial reality. Key milestones, such as crucial USDA approvals and early international clearances, have opened doors for these advancements [2].
The investments in infrastructure are equally noteworthy. Upside Foods' EPIC facility, for instance, churns out over 22,680 kg of Cultivated Meat every year, while other projects signal a shift from small-scale trials to large-scale production [2]. This transition underscores the growing maturity and market readiness of the sector.
The innovation is not confined to traditional meats like chicken and beef. In June 2025, Wildtype received FDA clearance for its cultivated seafood product, focusing on premium sushi-grade salmon that avoids ocean contaminants [29]. Similarly, Mission Barns gained approval in early 2025 for its bioreactor-produced animal fat, which enhances the taste and texture of plant-based alternatives [29]. Even pet nutrition is being transformed, with Bond Pet Foods tapping into sustainable solutions for our furry companions. These developments highlight Cultivated Meat's adaptability across diverse markets.
The financial support behind this industry tells a compelling story. Since 2016, the alternative protein sector has secured over £15 billion in funding, with Cultivated Meat companies raising £57 million in 2025 alone [28]. Governments are stepping in too, with the USDA committing £11.1 million to innovative production methods and Canada contributing CAD $7.2 million through its AgriInnovate Programme [29]. This combined backing from private investors and public initiatives is helping the industry move closer to cost parity with traditional meat, with prices nearing those of premium conventional options [2].
These startups are spearheading a new category of food production. By tackling the environmental challenges tied to conventional meat - which is responsible for around 15% of global carbon emissions [21] - and addressing the rising demand for protein expected to double by 2050, they’re offering practical solutions to one of agriculture’s biggest hurdles. As production scales up and costs decline, Cultivated Meat is poised to become a mainstream choice for consumers seeking ethical and sustainable protein. These advancements not only reshape how food is produced but also pave the way for a more sustainable future.
For further insights into Cultivated Meat's future, visit Cultivated Meat Shop.
FAQs
When will cultivated meat be sold in UK shops?
Cultivated meat could soon hit the shelves in the UK. In the US, companies such as Upside Foods and GOOD Meat have already received regulatory approval, marking a significant step forward for the industry. With these developments paving the way, the UK might not be far behind in making cultivated meat accessible to its consumers.
Is cultivated meat safe to eat?
Cultivated meat has received approval for sale in multiple countries, indicating that regulators trust its safety. At present, there is no scientific data suggesting it poses any risks for consumption.
Why are some US states banning Cultivated Meat?
Some states in the US are moving to ban cultivated meat, driven by political leaders who dismiss it as "fake meat" and claim it doesn't align with natural food alternatives. For instance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has suggested making its production and sale illegal. These restrictions often arise from worries about how well this new product fits within established food traditions and systems.
