San Francisco Tech Incubator Offering $250,000 to Cultured Meat Startups

IndieBio, a San Francisco-based biotech accelerator program, has put out a call for scientists and entrepreneurs interested in developing cultured meat, milk, and egg products. The program has already helped launch Muufri, creators of cultured milk, and Clara Foods, which is developing animal-free egg whites.

Now, IndieBio is offering up to $250,000 in seed funding, as well as four months of free office space and lab equipment in its accelerator building, to more startups looking to create cultured animal products.

Early applications are welcomed by June 30, with a final application deadline of July 31. Though teams are preferred, IndieBio is also interested in matching up individual scientists with individual entrepreneurs.

Research into cultured animal products, which use tissue cells, proteins, and other basic biological components to create perfectly identical but cruelty-free versions of standard animal fare, has grabbed headlines in recent years. In 2013, the world’s first cultured burger debuted to positive reviews at a highly publicized launch event in London. While the inaugural patty came with a whopping price tag of $325,000, Smithsonian.com reported earlier this year that the price of cultured meat is expected to drop dramatically in coming years.

IndieBio and its venture capital backers are helping launch the first wave of startups that will bring cultured products to market. This move could spare billions of future animals from a lifetime of misery as biotech food companies replace cruel and unsustainable factory farms. If you or someone you know has what it takes to be a part of that food revolution, consider applying for funding or contacting IndieBio Program Director Ryan Bethencourt before the deadline hits!