What's Happening?
Meatable, a company specializing in cell-cultivated protein, has ceased operations due to an inability to secure new funding. The decision to dissolve the company was made by its board and shareholders,
as reported by Agronomics, a long-term investor in the Dutch firm. Meatable, founded in 2018, aimed to produce pork sausages and dumplings from lab-grown pig cells. Despite raising $35 million in August 2023, bringing total funding to $95 million, the company faced significant challenges in 2025, including both foreseeable and unforeseeable risks. Agronomics, which invested $10.6 million in Meatable, will now write off its investment to zero. The closure of Meatable follows the recent shutdown of another cell-cultivated meat company, Believer Meats, highlighting the difficulties faced by the sector.
Why It's Important?
The closure of Meatable underscores the financial and operational challenges within the cell-cultivated meat industry. Despite technological advancements, the sector struggles with high production costs and unclear consumer value propositions. The inability to secure sustained investment reflects broader skepticism about the commercial viability of lab-grown meat products. This development could deter future investments and slow down innovation in the field, impacting stakeholders ranging from investors to consumers interested in sustainable meat alternatives. The situation also raises questions about the scalability and market readiness of cell-cultivated meat, potentially affecting public policy and industry regulations.
What's Next?
The winding down of Meatable may prompt other companies in the cell-cultivated meat sector to reassess their strategies and financial models. Investors might become more cautious, leading to stricter funding criteria and a focus on companies with proven scalability and market demand. The industry could see a shift towards more sustainable business models or a pivot to related sectors, such as biopharma, where similar technologies might find more immediate applications. Regulatory bodies and industry groups may also increase efforts to support innovation and address the challenges faced by the sector.
