Infinite Roots, formerly Mushlabs, a leading German biotech company, announced the closing of its €53 million Series B funding round. The oversubscribed funding round represents the largest investment in mycelium technologies in Europe to date and underlines the growing importance of mycelium in the global food system.
It was led by Dr. Hans Riegel Holding (HRH), one of the two holding companies of the internationally successful confectionery group Haribo, with the support from the EIC Fund, a breakthrough initiative of the European Commission to make direct equity investments in European highly innovative startups and SMEs. REWE Group, one of the leading trade and tourism groups in Germany and Europe, and Betagro Ventures also participated in the round. They were joined by other existing investors, including Clay Capital, FoodLabs, Redalpine, Simon Capital and Happiness Capital. With these investors, Infinite Roots brings on board partners with expertise in launching and distributing food products globally.
With this new funding, the company moves into a new era of commercial growth, planning to expand its production capacities and invest in launch activities worldwide. In the long term, Infinite Roots aims to play a key role in transforming the global food system with the versatile applications of mycelium.
“Rethinking food production and consumption has never been more pressing, and requires our collective efforts. We are thrilled to join forces with industry champions to establish the next generation of tasty, healthy and sustainable foods. We are in a unique position to define a new era of mushroom mycelium-based products. With Infinite Roots’ technology and products, we aspire to lead the monumental shift to a more sustainable and healthy food system,” said Dr. Mazen Rizk, Founder and CEO of Infinite Roots.
With HRH, Infinite Roots brings on board a strong commercial partner with international expertise in launching products in growing consumer markets. In addition to that, REWE Group, Germany’s second-largest food retailer active in over 21 countries, already holds over 20 percent market share in vegan core products. Both investments underscore the conviction in Infinite Roots’ technology and products based on growing consumer demands for sustainable food alternatives.
Infinite Roots’ mycelium technology has the potential to contribute massively to a sustainable food supply. We at Dr. Hans Riegel Holding invest in future-defining technologies.“ explains Dr. Reinhard Schneider, Managing Director of Dr. Hans Riegel Holding GmbH.
Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, also emphasized the potential of the new development: “We are looking forward to the exciting road ahead with the Infinite Roots team. It is high time for consumers to be able to reconcile their appetite for good food and their willingness to act for the planet and for their health.“
Known for its groundbreaking innovations in mycelium technology, Infinite Roots now strengthens its pioneering position in developing mushroom mycelium-based nutrition. Its patented technologies enable the development of diverse and versatile food products based on edible mushroom mycelium. This successful funding round highlights Infinite Roots’ enormous potential and ability to attract strong partners.
Mycelium fermentation technology is an increasingly important game-changer in the food industry ranking as a megatrend in the sector alongside plant-based and cultured meat. Infinite Roots’ products create a third category in food classification, as mushroom-based products are neither plant nor animal. In recent years, the demand for healthy dietary alternatives has risen globally. Infinite Roots meets this demand with a sustainable, healthy range of food with diverse applications, extending far beyond meat substitutes.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/01/hamburg-based-biotech-infinite-roots-bags-e53-million-series-b-to-mushroom-up-production/
