Clear Current Capital goes global with alternative protein investments; Steakholder Foods creates cell-cultivated grouper

SeafoodSource is closely following the plant-based and cell-based seafood alternatives market by compiling a regular round-up of updates from the sector.

- On 24 April, Steakholder Foods announced it has successfully printed its first whole fillet ready-to-cook cell-cultivated grouper fish, as a part of its collaboration with Umami Meats.

"We are delighted to have produced the world's first whole-fillet cell-cultivated fish in partnership with Steakholder Foods. In this first tasting, we showcased a cultivated product that flakes, tastes, and melts in your mouth exactly like excellent fish should. In the coming months, we intend to announce our plans for bringing this world-class cultivated fish to the market,” Umami Meats CEO Mihir Pershad said in a press release.

- After a decade of research and USD 20 million (EUR 18 billion) in investments, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada-based Smallfood has announced it will soon be opening its new manufacturing facility for seafood alternatives. Smallfood is working to develop seafood analogs through a fermentation line and biomanufacturing process, according to Vegconomist. 

“Scaling the production will enable manufacturers to create nutritious and environmentally friendly seafood products at lower costs, achieving price-parity in the alt seafood market,” Smallfood Founder and CEO Marc St-Onge said.

- Clear Current Capital, headquartered in Vero Beach, Florida U.S.A., announced on 4 May it will expand its investments in the alternative protein market beyond the U.S. 

"While the food system is global, innovation and progress have varied across markets over time. Much of this work began in the U.S., but we've increasingly seen stronger opportunities internationally due to factors such as increased government support and changing consumer preferences. For instance, Protein Industries Canada has invested large amounts of non-dilutive capital in Canadian start-ups. Separately in Germany, consumers are clearly voting for sustainable foods with their wallets, as they consume record low levels of meat," Clear Current Capital Principal Steve Molino said in a press release.

Clear Current Capital has invested in 18 start-ups funding alternative protein and food technology advancements, including New School Foods, which is seeking to create and market an analog for whole-cut salmon. 

Photo courtesy of Shlomi Arbiv/Steakholder Foods