Better Meat Co. Fuels Mycoprotein Future with $31M, Adds Biotech Icon

August 27, 2025, 3:32 pm
The Better Meat Co.
The Better Meat Co.
AlternativeProteinBiotechnologyFermentationFoodTechSustainable
Location: United States
Employees: 1-10
Founded date: 2018
Total raised: $40.5M
Future Ventures (San Francisco)
Future Ventures (San Francisco)
HealthTechFinTechPlatformITTechnologyConstructionBioTechAgriTechArtificial IntelligenceTime
Employees: 1-10
The Better Meat Co. (BMC) successfully raised $31 million in Series A funding. This capital fuels the commercial scaling of its Rhiza™ mycoprotein. Rhiza™, a revolutionary fermentation-derived ingredient, significantly improves traditional and plant-based meat products. It offers better texture, lower saturated fat, and increased fiber, all with a clean label. BMC boasts critical FDA, USDA, and Singapore regulatory approvals. Production costs for this sustainable protein are falling. Key industry partnerships are forming. Biotech icon Dr. Pamela Marrone joined the board, boosting BMC’s scientific leadership. The company targets 2026 for Rhiza™ to undercut commodity beef prices, poised to transform the global food industry with its patented technology and commitment to sustainable, cost-effective protein solutions.

Food Tech Pioneer Secures Major Funding, Strengthens Leadership


The Better Meat Co. (BMC) stands at the forefront of sustainable food innovation. The company just closed an oversubscribed $31 million Series A financing round. This capital infusion accelerates its mission. BMC aims to revolutionize protein production. It leverages advanced mycoprotein fermentation technology. This strategic investment underscores growing confidence in alternative protein solutions. The food industry demands innovation. BMC delivers it.

Major Investment Fuels Expansion


Future Ventures and Resilience Reserve co-led the substantial financing round. Prominent investors joined. Glenn Hickman, CEO of Hickman’s Family Farms, participated. Epic Ventures and Sigmas Group also contributed. The funds target a critical objective. BMC will scale its patented Rhiza™ mycoprotein fermentation. This proprietary ingredient represents a new era in food manufacturing. Commercial production by 2026 is the goal. BMC intends to sell Rhiza™ at prices below US commodity ground beef. This financial backing marks a significant milestone. It propels BMC towards market dominance.

Rhiza™: A Versatile Protein Solution


Rhiza™ mycoprotein is a game-changer. It is a whole food, clean-label mycelium ingredient. Its applications span both traditional meat and plant-based products. Rhiza™ offers multiple advantages. Meats enhanced with Rhiza™ show improved cooking yields. They boast better texture. Saturated fat content decreases. Fiber levels increase. Furthermore, Rhiza™ delivers a more meat-like flavor. Its ingredient list is simpler than many plant-based alternatives. This versatility positions Rhiza™ as a key component for diverse food manufacturers. It enhances nutrition and taste. It simplifies product formulations.

Breakthroughs in Production and Regulation


BMC achieves consistent progress. The company significantly reduced production costs. A 30 percent reduction came from continuous fermentation. This achievement is critical for the sector. It demonstrates scalability and efficiency. Regulatory hurdles are also overcome. BMC secured Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) approval. Both the FDA and USDA granted this for its Rhiza™ organism. This makes Rhiza™ unique. It is the only mycoprotein approved by the USDA for use in animal meat products. International market access expands too. The company received regulatory approval in Singapore. These milestones confirm Rhiza™’s safety and market readiness. They open doors to widespread adoption.

Strategic Partnerships and Intellectual Property


Market traction is building for BMC. The company signed five Letters of Intent (LOIs). These are future orders with major meat companies. An earlier agreement secured BMC’s largest supply deal to date. This partnership is with a South American meat company. Such agreements signal strong industry interest. They validate Rhiza™'s commercial potential. Intellectual property protection is also robust. BMC recently secured its fifth and sixth patents. These patents safeguard its core technology. They solidify BMC’s competitive advantage. They ensure continued innovation.

Leadership Fortified: Biotech Icon Joins Board


BMC strengthens its leadership team. Dr. Pamela Marrone joins the Board of Directors. Dr. Marrone is a biotechnology titan. Her expertise is invaluable. She brings a rare blend of scientific depth and commercial acumen. Dr. Marrone is a 2025 inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Her global recognition in agricultural biotechnology is extensive. She founded successful companies. AgraQuest, acquired by Bayer CropScience for over $425 million, is one. Marrone Bio Innovations, which went public, is another. Her track record turning cutting-edge biology into scalable products aligns perfectly with BMC’s goals. She holds 82 US patents and over 400 global patents. Her appointment significantly boosts BMC’s scientific and strategic capabilities.

Other key additions bolster the board. Steve Jurvetson, co-founder of Future Ventures, joins. Glenn Hickman of Hickman’s Family Farms also takes a board seat. Their collective experience provides diverse insights. It strengthens governance. It guides expansion strategies. The company benefits from their industry foresight.

A Vision for Sustainable Protein


BMC currently operates a 9,000-liter demonstration-scale fermentation facility. It is located in West Sacramento, California. The new funding fuels ambitious expansion plans. The company targets a tenfold increase in production capacity. This massive scale-up is crucial. It enables BMC to meet projected demand. It allows for aggressive pricing strategies.

The world needs sustainable protein. BMC offers a compelling solution. Rhiza™ delivers nutritional benefits. It supports environmental goals. The company’s patented technology ensures efficient production. Its regulatory approvals establish trust. Its growing partnerships signal market readiness. With strengthened leadership and significant funding, BMC is poised for exponential growth. The future of food involves more efficient protein. BMC is actively building that future. It reshapes the global food landscape. It offers better, more sustainable choices.