Cellva Ingredients Raises R$6.5 Million for Cultivated Pork Fat Development

Cellva Ingredients, a pioneering startup in Brazil’s cultivated animal ingredients sector, has secured R$6.5 million in its initial funding round. The round was led by Seed4Science from Fundepar, with contributions from ProVeg Incubator, the Spanish fund Rumbo Ventures, and the Rio Grande do Sul angel investor network EA Angels. Cellva plans to close this round by March 2024, with a target of raising R$10 million.

Founded in 2022 in Porto Alegre by Sérgio Pinto, a former executive at BRF, and Bibiana Matte, a researcher in cell culture and tissue engineering, Cellva focuses on developing sustainable fats for the food industry. The company introduced its first prototype of cultivated pork fat in mid-2023, boasting a production timeline of just 21 days, significantly shorter than the 24 months required for conventional pork fat. This innovation also allows for customization of the fat’s nutritional profile through non-GMO processes, enhancing its health benefits.

In addition to pork fat, Cellva is diversifying its product line by developing plant-based oils. The company currently produces one kilogram of cultivated fat per month, a capacity that supports product validation and regulatory evaluations.

To meet growing demand, Cellva is expanding into a new laboratory equipped with advanced bioreactors and plans to increase its team to 13 employees. The startup aims to launch its products by late 2024 or early 2025, contingent on approval from Brazil’s regulatory body, Anvisa.