Terramino secures funding for protein product development

US-based meat and seafood alternative provider Terramino Foods has secured new funds via a seed funding round, which was co-led by True Ventures and Collaborative Fund.

The food start-up is expected to use the newly raised $4.25m to continue the expansion of its team and further its development of sustainable protein products, which are intended to serve as an alternative to meat and seafood.

The company uses sustainably grown fungi as a source of protein for the development of its products, which is claimed to provide a similar taste, texture and nutritional profile to seafood and meat.

Terramino co-founders Kimberlie Le and Joshua Nixon created the initial prototype at the Alternative Meat Lab at the University of California (UC), Berkeley’s Sutardja Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology.

Le said: “We plan to expand into multiple seafood and meat products using our flexible and efficient protein platform.”

The company noted that its products are all-natural and non-genetically modified (non-GMO), as well as being completely animal free.

They are also said to be produced using energy and resource efficient methods.

Collaborative Fund partner Lauren Loktev said: “Terramino has identified a protein platform that has massive potential because of its unique texture and ability to substitute for many different animal proteins.

“As avid investors in meat alternatives, we were blown away by the taste and texture of Terramino’s salmon burgers and we’re excited to support Kim and Josh as they build a world-class team to create a new category in food.”

Terramino’s first product is a sustainable salmon burger, which is said to taste like salmon and contain omega-3 fatty acids, while being high in digestible protein.

The company intends to showcase its products in a series of tasting events in the near future.