Starfield develops plant-based meat analogs and other plant-protein foods using plant protein technology and refined enzymatic cross-linking to imitate muscle fibers and produce whole-cut products. Its portfolio spans ground meat, sausages, meatballs, patties, steaks, hams and specialty items such as a black pepper-crusted plant beef made from non‑GMO soybeans. The company operates a B2B2C model, selling self-branded products via third-party retailers; it has partnered with over 100 brand owners and is available in more than 14,000 outlets including Heytea, Luckin Coffee, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson, Dicos and Alibaba’s Hema. Starfield says it has submitted close to 30 patent applications and collaborates with academic partners including Beijing Technology & Business University, Jiangnan University, and Wageningen University & Research to improve texture and flavor. It is building its first commercial-scale production facility in Xiaogan, Hubei, which it says will produce hundreds of formats and reduce manufacturing and logistics costs to lower end prices versus animal-derived meat. Near-term plans include launching new product lines such as braised beef, chicken thigh steaks and pork chops while expanding R&D, hiring, marketing and brand-building. Starfield develops plant-based ground meat products for multiple culinary applications and holds a patent for a seaweed protein. The company says it is the only Chinese next-gen alternative meat venture with its own R&D and manufacturing capability and has R&D partnerships with Beijing Technology and Business University, Shenzhen University and Jiangnan University. Starfield has secured product collaborations or menu intents with more than 20 local and international restaurants, including Papa Johns (170 outlets), Nayuki’s Tea (300 branches) and Element Fresh (38 restaurants). Its products are already used in dishes such as a Future Meatball Pizza at Papa Johns and a Green Star Burger at Nayuki’s. The company targets China’s roughly 400 million millennials as a primary market. Investors describe the wider China market and potential policy shifts after the coronavirus crisis as a possible catalyst to accelerate plant-based adoption.

Total raised

$100M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jan 2022