Clever Carnivore Secures $7M for Cultivated Meat Expansion

Key Takeaways:

1. Substantial Seed Funding: Clever Carnivore raises $7 million in seed round funding.
2. Global Investor Support: Significant backing from international investors, including McWin Capital Partners, Thia Ventures, Valo Ventures, Newfund Capital, and Stray Dog Capital.
3. Innovative Cost-Effective Production: Notable for its low cost of production in the cultivated meat sector.
4. Advanced R&D Capabilities: Headed by co-founder Paul Burridge, Ph.D., with over 20 years of experience in cell line development and growth media optimization.

Clever Carnivore, a Chicago-based biotech startup specializing in low-cost, high-quality cultivated meat, announced the successful closure of its $7 million seed round funding. The round was led by Lever VC, a key player in the alternative protein industry​​​.

“We are delighted with the enthusiastic support from our investors in this seed round,” said Virginia Rangos, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Clever Carnivore in the announcement. “This funding is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and reaffirms investors’ confidence in our cutting-edge science, technology, and business model. With this investment, we can revolutionize the protein market and enhance the overall consumer experience.”

Economic and Technological Impact

• Cost Reduction in Cultivation: Clever Carnivore’s research has significantly reduced cell culture media costs, setting it apart in the cultivated meat industry.
• Future Expansion Plans: The funding will accelerate expansion plans, including scaling up production and adding test kitchens​.

Nick Cooney, the managing partner of Lever VC, stated that they have been monitoring and investing in the global cultivated meat sector for the past eight years. According to him, Clever Carnivore’s current cost of production is remarkably low, and they haven’t seen any other company come close to it. He also praised the company’s exceptional science, which is a testament to its success.

Product Development

• Current and Future Products: Currently producing cultivated pork sausage, with plans to introduce the Clever Bratwurst in early 2024.
• Mission and Vision: Clever Carnivore is committed to bringing low-cost, top-quality cultivated pork, beef, and chicken to the consumer market, competing with conventional meat on taste, price, and convenience​.