DAIZ develops plant-based meats and fish built on its proprietary Ochiai high-pressure process that converts germinated soybeans into “miracle chips” for improved texture and flavor without additives. The company is positioning its product as part of a consumer “hybrid strategy,” supplying both domestic and international retail, distribution, food manufacturing, and restaurant customers. DAIZ has partnerships to expand its ingredient base, including a collaboration with France’s Roquette to produce a pea-based version and plans for a future “Miracle Egg” product. The company plans to use the Series C proceeds to build a new 40,000-square-foot plant in Kumamoto Rinku Techno Park, scheduled to launch in February 2025, with initial capacity of 8,000 tons in year one and eventual expansion to 20,000 tons per year. DAIZ has received backing from 33 companies, including 17 listed companies, and says the financing brought its total capital raised to ¥13.1 billion (about US$86.5 million), the largest amount in Japan’s domestic food tech industry. Management highlighted that ministry-backed loan programs enabled long-term, low-cost corporate loans that supplemented equity financing for this expansion. DAIZ develops MIRACLE MEAT, a plant-based meat substitute made from whole germinated soybeans using the Ochiai Germination Method (OGM) to boost taste, nutritional value, and nutrient absorbency while reducing beany off-flavors. MIRACLE MEAT aims to mimic the taste and texture of meat and has been adopted by multiple food manufacturers and restaurant chains, primarily in Japan. The company emphasizes sustainable protein production with lower greenhouse‑gas emissions compared with livestock, and positions its product as a solution for increasing global protein demand. DAIZ intends to expand domestic and overseas adoption of its plant-based meat and contribute to sustainable agricultural production and food supplies. Through a partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, DAIZ expects technological synergies—particularly in food additives and emulsifiers—to further improve MIRACLE MEAT’s flavor. The company was established December 1, 2015 and is headquartered in Kumamoto‑shi, Kumamoto Prefecture. DAIZ Inc. announced a ¥1,850,000,000 Series B round on April 19, 2021. The capital was raised via a third-party capital increase (equity). The transaction included participation from a broad group of existing, new, and returning investors. Existing investors named include Ajinomoto Co., Kichiri & Co., and the Norinchukin Bank investment arm. New investors listed include Nippon Steel Trading Corporation, KANEMATSU FOODS CORPORATION, Kanematsu Corporation, ENEOS Innovation Partners LLC, Marubeni Corporation, Shinkin Capital Co., Kemuri Ventures LLC, Kirin Holdings Company, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital Co., Global Brain Co., and Golden Asia Fund Venture Ltd. Returning and other participants included Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., Marubeni Corporation, and QB Capital, LLC. Daiz is a Japanese startup developing plant-based substitutes for meat products. It produces plant-based meat alternatives. The company has raised ¥650 million in a Series A funding round. That amount is approximately $6 million. The round was backed by Mitsubishi UFJ Capital (Mucap). The financing was disclosed as a Series A round.

Total raised

$70M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Oct 2023