The cellular agriculture ecosystem in Australia

Explore our comprehensive map of Australia's cellular agriculture sector.

Whilst we recognise the growing community of international investors into Australian cellular agriculture companies, investors featured on this industry map are Australian investors who have invested in at least one cellular agriculture company.

Cultivated meat and seafood

Research organisation

Breast milk

Animal free dairy

Ingredients

Inputs and equipment

Services

Investors

Accelerators

Nonprofits

Universities

The University of Queensland

Let us get back to you on this one!

The University of Queensland

Let us get back to you on this one!

The University of Melbourne

We are currently funding two students at the University of Melbourne as part of our Seed Grant Program. The University is also home to Australia’s only Alt Protein student group - the Melbourne Alternative Protein Project. One of our wonderful volunteers, Brodie Peace, is completing a PhD here in food chemistry, focussing on media optimisation.

The University of Melbourne

We are currently funding two students at the University of Melbourne as part of our Seed Grant Program. The University is also home to Australia’s only Alt Protein student group - the Melbourne Alternative Protein Project. One of our wonderful volunteers, Brodie Peace, is completing a PhD here in food chemistry, focussing on media optimisation.

Australian Ethical

Australian Ethical is an Australian Superannuation Fund that through its Visionary Grant program, supports both CAA and Food Frontier.

Australian Ethical

Australian Ethical is an Australian Superannuation Fund that through its Visionary Grant program, supports both CAA and Food Frontier.

Sartorius

Sartorius AG is a pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment supplier. They supply the lab products and bioprocess solutions required to produce cellular agriculture products.

Sartorius

Sartorius AG is a pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment supplier. They supply the lab products and bioprocess solutions required to produce cellular agriculture products.

Tenacious Ventures

Tenacious Ventures is an early-stage venture capital capital firm specialising in agtech and climate startups. They have invested in Vow. 

Tenacious Ventures

Tenacious Ventures is an early-stage venture capital capital firm specialising in agtech and climate startups. They have invested in Vow. 

UNSW Sydney

Professor Johannes les Coutre at UNSW has a broad research interest in cellular agriculture and the food industry. He also supervises research in cell culture, media development, and bioreactor adaptation.

UNSW Sydney

Professor Johannes les Coutre at UNSW has a broad research interest in cellular agriculture and the food industry. He also supervises research in cell culture, media development, and bioreactor adaptation.

Heuros

Heuros is focussed on creating animal component-free and GM-free growth factors, which eliminates the use of utilise fetal bovine serum. They will supply these growth factors, as well as custom bioreactors they produce to cultivated meat companies. They also intend to develop their own cultivated meat products to be sold directly to consumers. 

Heuros

Heuros is focussed on creating animal component-free and GM-free growth factors, which eliminates the use of utilise fetal bovine serum. They will supply these growth factors, as well as custom bioreactors they produce to cultivated meat companies. They also intend to develop their own cultivated meat products to be sold directly to consumers. 

Radar Ventures

Radar Ventures is a private capital fund based in Australia and New Zealand, investing globally.

We like early stage weird science and deep tech born to solve global problems. We’re most interested in: cancer tech, biotech, alt protein, and defence tech.

Radar Ventures

Radar Ventures is a private capital fund based in Australia and New Zealand, investing globally.

We like early stage weird science and deep tech born to solve global problems. We’re most interested in: cancer tech, biotech, alt protein, and defence tech.

Cellular Agriculture Australia

That’s us! Australia’s only non-profit specialising in the cellular agriculture sector.

Cellular Agriculture Australia

That’s us! Australia’s only non-profit specialising in the cellular agriculture sector.

Queensland University of Technology

Let us get back to you on this one!

Queensland University of Technology

Let us get back to you on this one!

FytoBio

Fytobio is a CSIRO ON Program Alumni founded in 2022. They use molecular farming to supply food-grade recombinant proteins to cellular agriculture companies to allow them to affordably grow cells for cultivated meat, seafood, leather and cosmetics. Through providing these specialised performance proteins to cellular agriculture companies, Fytobio hopes to solve the supply chain to cultivated meat.

FytoBio

Fytobio is a CSIRO ON Program Alumni founded in 2022. They use molecular farming to supply food-grade recombinant proteins to cellular agriculture companies to allow them to affordably grow cells for cultivated meat, seafood, leather and cosmetics. Through providing these specialised performance proteins to cellular agriculture companies, Fytobio hopes to solve the supply chain to cultivated meat.

Food Frontier

Food Frontier is an independent think tank on alternative proteins in Australia and New Zealand. They conduct research in alternative proteins, support food producers, and advise policymakers. 

Food Frontier

Food Frontier is an independent think tank on alternative proteins in Australia and New Zealand. They conduct research in alternative proteins, support food producers, and advise policymakers. 

Miruku

Miruku make climate-friendly plants that make dairy. They are developing a ‘Dairy Seed System™’ where cleverly designed oilseed crops will produce dairy protein and fats in their seeds. These seeds can be planted, grown, harvested and processed into valuable ingredients using existing infrastructure, enabling real scale.

Miruku

Miruku make climate-friendly plants that make dairy. They are developing a ‘Dairy Seed System™’ where cleverly designed oilseed crops will produce dairy protein and fats in their seeds. These seeds can be planted, grown, harvested and processed into valuable ingredients using existing infrastructure, enabling real scale.

W23

W23 is a global grocery retail venture capital fund, owned by Woolworths. They have invested in All G Foods.

W23

W23 is a global grocery retail venture capital fund, owned by Woolworths. They have invested in All G Foods.

UniSC

UniSC is home to one of our fantastic volunteers, Lisa, who is currently completing a PhD researching Crustacean Biotechnology and Cultivated Meat.

UniSC

UniSC is home to one of our fantastic volunteers, Lisa, who is currently completing a PhD researching Crustacean Biotechnology and Cultivated Meat.

Swinburne University of Technology

We are currently co-funding a Swinburne student alongside Me& as a part of our Seed Grant Program.

Swinburne University of Technology

We are currently co-funding a Swinburne student alongside Me& as a part of our Seed Grant Program.

The Australian National University

Let us get back to you on this one!

The Australian National University

Let us get back to you on this one!

Change Foods

Change Foods is a US-Australian company focussed on producing animal-free dairy products. Since its founding in 2020, Change Foods has announced plans to build a commercial manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi. With an expected capacity of over one million litres, the facility will not only be the first of its kind in the region, but also potentially the largest of its kind in the world.

Change Foods

Change Foods is a US-Australian company focussed on producing animal-free dairy products. Since its founding in 2020, Change Foods has announced plans to build a commercial manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi. With an expected capacity of over one million litres, the facility will not only be the first of its kind in the region, but also potentially the largest of its kind in the world.

Grok Ventures

Grok ventures is a private investment company with a focus on fast-growing, technology-enabled businesses. They have invested in Vow.

Grok Ventures

Grok ventures is a private investment company with a focus on fast-growing, technology-enabled businesses. They have invested in Vow.

Monash University

Monash University has various cellular agriculture researchers working in the Australia Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI).

Monash University

Monash University has various cellular agriculture researchers working in the Australia Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI).

CSIRO ON Accelerate

ON Accelerate is a free program that gives teams the skills and support to validate and develop a high potential innovative venture. ON Accelerate is designed to launch research-driven companies into market. The program focusses on business models, market validation, capital raising and storytelling.

CSIRO ON Accelerate

ON Accelerate is a free program that gives teams the skills and support to validate and develop a high potential innovative venture. ON Accelerate is designed to launch research-driven companies into market. The program focusses on business models, market validation, capital raising and storytelling.

Better Bite Ventures

Better Bite Ventures (BBV) is the Asia Pacific’s first dedicated alternative protein venture capital firm. BBV focuses on early stage investments (founding, pre seed and seed). They have made investments in cell-cultivation, biomass fermentation, precision fermentation, molecular farming and plant-based products. This includes various Australian companies - Me&, Vow, and Change Foods.

Better Bite Ventures

Better Bite Ventures (BBV) is the Asia Pacific’s first dedicated alternative protein venture capital firm. BBV focuses on early stage investments (founding, pre seed and seed). They have made investments in cell-cultivation, biomass fermentation, precision fermentation, molecular farming and plant-based products. This includes various Australian companies - Me&, Vow, and Change Foods.

Deakin University

We are currently funding three undergraduate researchers studying at Deakin University as part of our Seed Grant Program.

Deakin University

We are currently funding three undergraduate researchers studying at Deakin University as part of our Seed Grant Program.

NGS Super

NGS Super is an industry super fund which has invested in Vow.

NGS Super

NGS Super is an industry super fund which has invested in Vow.

Vow

Founded in 2019, Vow is a cultivated meat company focussed on exotic species. They opened the first cultivated meat facility in Australia and in 2023 submitted the first food safety application for a cultivated meat product to FSANZ. Vow's first product, cultivated quail, is set to be released in late 2024 under their consumer brand Morsel, and will debut in leading restaurants in Singapore.

Vow

Founded in 2019, Vow is a cultivated meat company focussed on exotic species. They opened the first cultivated meat facility in Australia and in 2023 submitted the first food safety application for a cultivated meat product to FSANZ. Vow's first product, cultivated quail, is set to be released in late 2024 under their consumer brand Morsel, and will debut in leading restaurants in Singapore.

CEFC

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is the Australian Federal Government's 'green fund', supporting the country to reach its target of net zero emissions by 2050. They have invested in All G Foods.

CEFC

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is the Australian Federal Government's 'green fund', supporting the country to reach its target of net zero emissions by 2050. They have invested in All G Foods.

Nourish Ingredients

Canberra-based Nourish Ingredients is a producer of animal-free fats and oils using precision fermentation technology. The company was co-founded by two former CSIRO scientists and is backed by CSIRO’s venture capital firm, Main Sequence. 

Nourish Ingredients

Canberra-based Nourish Ingredients is a producer of animal-free fats and oils using precision fermentation technology. The company was co-founded by two former CSIRO scientists and is backed by CSIRO’s venture capital firm, Main Sequence. 

Startupbootcamp

Startupbootcamp is a startup accelerator, with various accelerator and scale programs worldwide. Here in Australia, Food Tech and Fermentation Tech are their core focus areas.

Startupbootcamp

Startupbootcamp is a startup accelerator, with various accelerator and scale programs worldwide. Here in Australia, Food Tech and Fermentation Tech are their core focus areas.

Noumi

Noumi is an Australian company driven by our purpose of Imagining a Healthier Tomorrow.

From our pioneering origins in plant and dairy beverages to our expertise in nutritionals, we blend the wonders of nature with the power of science to create leading brands that nourish our consumers, our communities and our planet.

The future of positive nutrition starts right here.

Noumi

Noumi is an Australian company driven by our purpose of Imagining a Healthier Tomorrow.

From our pioneering origins in plant and dairy beverages to our expertise in nutritionals, we blend the wonders of nature with the power of science to create leading brands that nourish our consumers, our communities and our planet.

The future of positive nutrition starts right here.

Smart MCs

Smart MCs aim to revolutionise the field of cellular cultivation by developing custom microcarriers made from biodegradable materials. Our customised microcarriers are tailored to specific cell types and applications, providing an efficient and simplified cell culture process without significant cell losses.

Smart MCs

Smart MCs aim to revolutionise the field of cellular cultivation by developing custom microcarriers made from biodegradable materials. Our customised microcarriers are tailored to specific cell types and applications, providing an efficient and simplified cell culture process without significant cell losses.

The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is leading the Alternative Protein Cooperative Research Centre bid, which works with industry and research organisations to identify and support market-led opportunities for alternative protein development. Their researchers have been granted significant funding from the NSW government to support alternative protein production methods, including precision fermentation.

The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is leading the Alternative Protein Cooperative Research Centre bid, which works with industry and research organisations to identify and support market-led opportunities for alternative protein development. Their researchers have been granted significant funding from the NSW government to support alternative protein production methods, including precision fermentation.

Startmate

Startmate is an Australian and New Zealand accelerator that is associated with Blackbird Ventures.

Startmate

Startmate is an Australian and New Zealand accelerator that is associated with Blackbird Ventures.

Magic Valley

Magic Valley is a cultivated meat company that has launched cultivated lamb and pork prototypes to date. The company’s breakthrough technology has allowed them to develop products without the need for fetal bovine serum (FBS). They are aiming for regulatory approval in 2024.

Magic Valley

Magic Valley is a cultivated meat company that has launched cultivated lamb and pork prototypes to date. The company’s breakthrough technology has allowed them to develop products without the need for fetal bovine serum (FBS). They are aiming for regulatory approval in 2024.

Me&

Me& is Australia’s first cell cultivated human breast milk company. They are aiming to meet the early intense nutritional and energetic demands of vulnerable pre-term babies, who may struggle to receive sufficient nutrients when fed at usual breastfeeding volumes. 

Me&

Me& is Australia’s first cell cultivated human breast milk company. They are aiming to meet the early intense nutritional and energetic demands of vulnerable pre-term babies, who may struggle to receive sufficient nutrients when fed at usual breastfeeding volumes. 

Blackbird

Blackbird is an investment firm focusing on technology companies at any stage of development. Their Australian cellular agriculture investments include Heuros and Vow.

Blackbird

Blackbird is an investment firm focusing on technology companies at any stage of development. Their Australian cellular agriculture investments include Heuros and Vow.

CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government agency responsible for scientific research. It is home to the Future Protein Mission, which supports innovation and growth for all types of protein, including novel proteins that sit within cellular agriculture.


CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government agency responsible for scientific research. It is home to the Future Protein Mission, which supports innovation and growth for all types of protein, including novel proteins that sit within cellular agriculture.


Breakthrough Victoria

Breakthrough Victoria is an independent company that manages a $2 billion investment fund set up by the Victorian Government to make Victoria a global innovation leader.

They bring together investors, research institutions, governments and companies to commercialise great ideas that create jobs in emerging industries and deliver prosperity for Victoria over the next decade and beyond.

Breakthrough Victoria

Breakthrough Victoria is an independent company that manages a $2 billion investment fund set up by the Victorian Government to make Victoria a global innovation leader.

They bring together investors, research institutions, governments and companies to commercialise great ideas that create jobs in emerging industries and deliver prosperity for Victoria over the next decade and beyond.

University of Technology Sydney

Let us get back to you on this one!

University of Technology Sydney

Let us get back to you on this one!

Eden Brew

Eden Brew is a precision fermentation dairy company co-founded by Main Sequence Ventures, CSIRO and Norco (Australia’s biggest dairy co-op), as well as ex-Woolworths executive, Jim Fader. The company has successfully recreated all six dairy proteins found in cow's milk, and they plan on launching their first product, ice cream, in 2024.

Eden Brew

Eden Brew is a precision fermentation dairy company co-founded by Main Sequence Ventures, CSIRO and Norco (Australia’s biggest dairy co-op), as well as ex-Woolworths executive, Jim Fader. The company has successfully recreated all six dairy proteins found in cow's milk, and they plan on launching their first product, ice cream, in 2024.

ARTA Bioanalytics

Arta Bioanalytics is at the forefront of bioinformatics in the cellular agriculture industry.  Specialising in Omics technologies (e.g. Genomics, Transcriptomics etc.), we provide data analysis support, experimental design, and strategic and technical consulting. Our mission is to transform complex biological data into actionable solutions for improved cellular agriculture processes.

ARTA Bioanalytics

Arta Bioanalytics is at the forefront of bioinformatics in the cellular agriculture industry.  Specialising in Omics technologies (e.g. Genomics, Transcriptomics etc.), we provide data analysis support, experimental design, and strategic and technical consulting. Our mission is to transform complex biological data into actionable solutions for improved cellular agriculture processes.

Main Sequence

Main Sequence is a venture capital firm investing in deep tech. They manage the CSIRO Innovation Funds, which invest in deep tech, high growth startups with a connection to publicly funded research. Main Sequence has invested in emerging Australian firms including Cauldron Ferm, Eden Brew, Nourish Ingredients and Me&.

Main Sequence

Main Sequence is a venture capital firm investing in deep tech. They manage the CSIRO Innovation Funds, which invest in deep tech, high growth startups with a connection to publicly funded research. Main Sequence has invested in emerging Australian firms including Cauldron Ferm, Eden Brew, Nourish Ingredients and Me&.

Cauldron

Headquartered in Orange, Australia, Cauldron is building a global network of precision fermentation facilities to help develop, prove and commercially scale new products and ingredients for some of the world’s boldest disruptors.

Cauldron

Headquartered in Orange, Australia, Cauldron is building a global network of precision fermentation facilities to help develop, prove and commercially scale new products and ingredients for some of the world’s boldest disruptors.

Alternative Proteins Council

The Alternative Proteins Council (APC), founded in March 2021, is the representative group for Australia and New Zealand’s alternative proteins sector. The APC provides a collective voice for the sector, and a platform to discuss shared issues and opportunities. The Council works to ensure the voice of the sector remains unified and impactful on key issues.

Alternative Proteins Council

The Alternative Proteins Council (APC), founded in March 2021, is the representative group for Australia and New Zealand’s alternative proteins sector. The APC provides a collective voice for the sector, and a platform to discuss shared issues and opportunities. The Council works to ensure the voice of the sector remains unified and impactful on key issues.

Giant Leap

Giant Leap is a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in impact startups. They have invested in Change Foods.  

Giant Leap

Giant Leap is a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in impact startups. They have invested in Change Foods.  

Co-Labs

Co-Labs is a transdisciplinary innovation hub and biotechnology co-working laboratory, catalysing the transition toward a circular, bio-based economy.

Co-Labs was born from a desire to support planet-positive and impact-oriented initiatives related to research, education and innovation.

They do this by providing access to enabling technology, community and other capacity-building infrastructure.

Co-Labs

Co-Labs is a transdisciplinary innovation hub and biotechnology co-working laboratory, catalysing the transition toward a circular, bio-based economy.

Co-Labs was born from a desire to support planet-positive and impact-oriented initiatives related to research, education and innovation.

They do this by providing access to enabling technology, community and other capacity-building infrastructure.

Macquarie University

Professor Ian Paulsen of Macquarie University leads an Australian Research Council (ARC Centre of Excellence) in Synthetic Biology.

Macquarie University

Professor Ian Paulsen of Macquarie University leads an Australian Research Council (ARC Centre of Excellence) in Synthetic Biology.

SproutX

SproutX catalyses connections between Australian founders, investors, industry mentors, agribusiness, academia, and government to affect world-class innovation across the agrifood supply chain.

SproutX

SproutX catalyses connections between Australian founders, investors, industry mentors, agribusiness, academia, and government to affect world-class innovation across the agrifood supply chain.

Square Peg

Square Peg Capital invests in emerging technology companies. They provided seed funding for Vow. 

Square Peg

Square Peg Capital invests in emerging technology companies. They provided seed funding for Vow. 

All G Foods

Founded in 2020, All G Foods initial focus is on the sought-after lactoferrin dairy protein, which is prized for its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic and probiotic attributes. At the same time, they continue to advance our work around casein dairy proteins, which are responsible for the key functional attributes that give us everything we love about dairy.

All G Foods

Founded in 2020, All G Foods initial focus is on the sought-after lactoferrin dairy protein, which is prized for its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic and probiotic attributes. At the same time, they continue to advance our work around casein dairy proteins, which are responsible for the key functional attributes that give us everything we love about dairy.