Led · Equity · Jul 2024

Kokomodo develops a platform to produce cacao locally from selected cacao cells grown in advanced bioreactors, producing ingredients such as a cell-cultivated cocoa powder. The company operates a pilot-scale lab in Israel and emerged from stealth after initial fundraising. Kokomodo is a joint venture between The Kitchen FoodTech Hub and Tel Aviv-based Plantae Bioscience and was cofounded by Tal Govrin in 2024. It claims its product matches the aroma, flavors, and sweetness of conventional cacao while enabling nutritional tailoring (lipids, antioxidants, proteins) for food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications. The startup highlights sustainability benefits including reduced transport emissions, year-round supply independent of tropical regions, and avoidance of deforestation. Kokomodo aims to offer high-quality cell-based cacao ingredients at prices comparable to premium agricultural cacao in the coming years.

Led · Seed · Feb 2024

Day 8 Food emerged from stealth with a focus on extracting the "holy grail of proteins" for plant-based foods. The company is developing downstream extraction technology to create what it describes as best-in-class plant-based protein. It announced the closure of a $750K pre-seed financing round with strategic partner The Kitchen Hub. Day 8 highlighted mentorship and support from advisors Jonathan Berger, Amir Zaidman and Dorit Rozner, Ph.D. AgFunder published a profile piece that revealed the funding and financial backing. The company frames the financing as strategic support to advance its mission to bring improved plant-based protein to life.

Participated · Seed · Oct 2023

Wanda Fish Technologies develops whole-cut cultivated bluefin tuna filets by growing muscle and fat cells in bioreactors to replicate texture, flavor and nutrition without slaughtering fish. The company has produced a 3D filet prototype differentiated into both muscle and fat tissues and says its proprietary technology can precisely control fat levels to create cuts including toro. Wanda Fish holds an exclusive licensing and sponsored research agreement with Tufts University and is working with David Kaplan at Tufts’ Center for Cellular Agriculture. Co-founded in 2021 by CEO Daphna Heffetz (PhD, former biotech executive), Malkiel Cohen and Yaron Sfadyah, the startup is still early stage but progressing toward scalability. The $7M seed will be used to optimize technology and accelerate scale-up of the cultivated whole-cut filet prototype, with plans to begin regulatory approvals in early 2025 and to sell into restaurants in 2026. Wanda Fish develops cultivated seafood, aiming to produce sustainable fish fillets from fish muscle and fat cells using a non-GMO cell-culture platform. The company has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Tufts University to access IP developed by David Kaplan and will support a two-year research programme into fish cell production. Wanda is working with Israeli and U.S. teams — the Israeli team is led by Malkiel Cohen, PhD, while the U.S. contingent falls under Kaplan — and is finalising a prototype fillet. The startup says it uses animal-free growth mediums, custom scalable bioreactors, and aims to reproduce native nutritional, flavor and textural properties while avoiding contaminants like microplastics and mercury. Wanda raised $3 million in a pre-seed round and received support from the Israeli Innovation Authority to advance its R&D. No timetable for prototype completion or product launch has been disclosed.

Led · Seed · Feb 2023

Meala FoodTech develops a functional protein platform to create and improve plant-based meat replacements and to develop egg and fish alternatives. The technology enables formulators to boost the nutritional value and functional properties of meat analogues using a short list of ingredients designed to resemble real meat. It works with a versatile range of plant proteins and can be integrated into consumer packaged goods through existing manufacturing lines. Founded in 2021 and based in Haifa, Israel, the company was started by Hadar Ekhoiz Razmovich, Tali Feldman Sivan, PhD, and Liran Gruda. Meala plans to continue developing its platform and to accelerate scale-up from lab to pilot production using the newly raised funds. The company is positioning its platform for multiple formats, including burgers, sausages and nuggets.

Participated · Seed · Oct 2022

Forsea develops seafood using a non-GMO organoid platform that grows eel tissue as three-dimensional fillets, bypassing scaffolding and reducing reliance on bioreactors and growth factors. The company says this approach produces eel identical in flavor, texture, appearance, and nutritional value to wild eel while lowering costs. Forsea aims to preserve marine biodiversity by providing a sustainable substitute for endangered species. The startup plans to inaugurate a pilot plant in 2023 to design an alpha production system and launch initial products. Newly raised capital will accelerate R&D for eel and other fish species and improve organoid growth in large-scale bioreactors, production yield, and profitability. The team expanded R&D activities to Rehovot and cites support from The Kitchen FoodTech Hub and the Israeli Innovation Authority.