Gourmey, a French startup that specializes in lab-grown meat, has raised €48 million in a funding round led by Earlybird Venture Capital, with participation from a long list of investors including Keen Venture Partners, Heartcore Capital, Point Nine Capital, Air Street Capital, Partech, Discovery, Omnes Capital, Eutopia, Beyond Investing and Thia Ventures.
Founded in 2019 by Nicolas Morin-Forest, Antoine Davydoff and Victor Sayous, Gourmey uses stem cells to produce lab-grown meat products. With this process, cultured meat requires less water and space than conventional farming, eliminates animal suffering, and produces real meat with a minimal environmental impact. The French startup focuses on high-value gastronomic cultured meats to differentiate itself from competitors.
The €48 million funding round will allow Gourmey to expand its offerings and strengthen its teams. The company plans to use the funds to bring its foie gras to market, which it plans to launch in 2023.
Earlybird Venture Capital is a Berlin-based venture capital firm that invests in technology companies. Keen Venture Partners is a European venture capital firm that invests in innovative technology companies. Heartcore Capital is a European venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies. Point Nine Capital is a Berlin-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. Air Street Capital is a London-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. Partech is a global venture capital firm that invests in technology and digital companies. Discovery is a venture capital firm that invests in technology companies. Omnes Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm that invests in small and medium-sized enterprises. Eutopia is a European venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. Beyond Investing is a sustainable investment platform that invests in high-growth companies that are making a positive impact on the world. Thia Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology and life science companies.
Lab-grown meat is a growing industry, with companies like Memphis Meats, Aleph Farms, and Mosa Meat all developing their own products. The industry is seen as a way to reduce the environmental impact of meat production, as well as to address animal welfare concerns. However, there are still challenges to overcome, including the high cost of production, regulatory hurdles, and consumer acceptance.
