The Venture Codex

Participated · Series A · Feb 2022

Novameat develops sustainable plant-based meats that replicate fibrous meat textures using its proprietary MicroForce technology, which scales 3D‑printing principles to industrial production. Led by CEO Giuseppe Scionti, the team combines advanced food science and culinary expertise to build texture and product formulations. The company has introduced products across Europe, industrially scaled its MicroForce technology, and modified its production facility to meet BRCGS requirements. Novameat plans to use the new funding to further scale production through MicroForce, launch an expanded product range, and boost global market reach and commercial activities. The company positions itself to expand commercial operations and production capacity following this round. Novameat develops proprietary technologies to create plant-based meat substitutes that aim to match the texture, appearance, taste and nutritional properties of animal meat. Its 3D-printed steak uses pea protein, beetroot juice and other plant-based ingredients; the company has also developed whole-cut formats including tenderloins, steaks and fillets. In January 2022 it announced a meat substitute made from highly temperature-sensitive ingredients. Novameat claims its patented technology can scale production to more than 500 kg/h with industrial equipment and that current production speed is about 15 times faster than typical high‑moisture extrusion. The company plans its products to enter Spanish steak-houses and restaurants in 2022 and expects retail availability in 2023 via partnerships with established food and beverage companies. Recent fundraising and a European Innovation Council Accelerator grant are intended to accelerate product development and production scalability. Novameat develops a customized 3D-bioprinting platform and scaffolding technology designed to mimic the texture, appearance, nutritional and sensorial properties of fibrous meats such as steaks, chicken breasts and fish filets. The company licenses its printing machinery to plant-based meat manufacturers so they can create whole-muscle textures that traditional extrusion technologies struggle to reproduce. Novameat's founder, biomedical engineer Giuseppe Scionti, built the company on a decade of academic research and produced the world’s first 3D-printed plant-based beefsteak in 2018. The firm says its micro-extrusion approach can deliver three-dimensional fibrous structures without long incubation periods, which it argues will reduce time and cost to produce meat substitutes. Novameat intends to use new investment capital from New Crop Capital to further develop the platform and accelerate commercialization across multiple meat categories. The company is positioning its technology as applicable to both plant-based and lab-cultured alternatives.