Start-up pitch: How Roslin Technologies is making cultivated meat affordable

Many believe cultivated meat to be a fundamental part of future food security. But price remains high, challenging the sector’s ability to scale-up and strengthening criticism against the industry. Roslin Technologies believes it has the solution.

“Cultivated meat was only invented ten years ago and the first burger cost 300,000 USD to make,” says Ernst van Orsouw, CEO of Roslin Technologies. “However, it set off a lot of innovation, big meat producers have been stepping in, billions have been invested, and the first regulatory approvals have happened across the globe.”

So how can the cultivated meat industry take the next step towards becoming a viable alternative to traditionally farmed meat?

“We now know what it takes to get to ten dollars per kilogram.”

“To make cultivated meat viable, it needs to be safe, nutritious and affordable,” says Orsouw. “And to do that you need to start with incredibly good cells. With the cells that we have, we now know what it takes to get to ten dollars per kilogram – that’s what’s needed to make cultivated meat viable.”

And while many remain sceptical about the merit in producing cultivated meat, the British start-up says it’s dedicated to creating high-quality produce.

“To produce high-quality meat, you need high-quality cells.”

What’s more, cultivated meat provides significant sustainability benefits.

“Cultivated meat is meat grown directly from animal cells, without the need to raise animals. The promise is massive,” says Orsouw. “You can improve animal welfare, reduce antibiotic use and reduce the environmental footprint of meat production.”

Roslin Technologies makes the cells available to cultivated meat producers, including start-ups and large food manufacturers, across the globe. It has a portfolio of cells for beef, pork and lamb.

Read more: FoodNavigator’s guide to start-up success​​