Key Takeaways
- Melt&Marble has received a €2.5M grant and potential equity investment from the European Innovation Council (EIC).
- The funding supports the commercialization of Melt&Marble’s fermentation-based fats.
- Melt&Marble was one of 68 companies selected from 969 applicants.
- The company also secured a €260K grant from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
- Melt&Marble focuses on sustainable food production, including its DairyMarble™ and MeatyMarble™ products.
Melt&Marble, a company specializing in sustainable designer fats, has been awarded a €2.5 million grant and potential future equity investment by the European Innovation Council (EIC). This funding will accelerate Melt&Marble’s efforts to commercialize its innovative fermentation-based fats, which are designed to provide energy-efficient, low-emission food alternatives.
Recognition by the European Innovation Council
Selected through a highly competitive process, Melt&Marble is one of 68 European deep tech start-ups chosen from 969 applicants to receive the EIC Accelerator’s unique blend of grant and equity funding. The EIC Accelerator supports breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations that can significantly impact EU objectives. Melt&Marble’s precision fermentation and microbial engineering platform was recognized for its potential to revolutionize the food industry by delivering sustainable and healthy food products.
Notably, Melt&Marble is one of 14 female-led companies to receive this funding, gaining access to expertise, corporates, investors, and ecosystem actors. “We’re thrilled to receive this funding and proud to be recognized for our efforts in driving the transition towards a more sustainable food system,” said Anastasia Krivoruchko, co-founder and CEO of Melt&Marble.
Additional Horizon Europe Framework Programme Grant
In addition to the EIC grant, Melt&Marble has secured a €260,000 grant from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme as part of the EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy. Coordinated by RISE Processum, the “DELICIOUS” project includes companies and R&D organizations across Europe. Melt&Marble will focus on developing dairy fats to enhance the organoleptic properties of dairy analogues, accelerating its DairyMarble™ program aimed at next-generation cheeses, butters, and bakery products.
Advancing Sustainable Food Production
The EIC funding will enable Melt&Marble to scale up its processes and advance to pre-commercial levels. This includes supporting the application development of its first product, MeatyMarble™, a meat-like fat designed to replicate animal-derived fats in alternative meat products. MeatyMarble™ aims to provide a delicious and sustainable alternative to traditional meat products. Melt&Marble is also exploring the potential of MeatyMarble™ in other industries, such as personal care, where there is increasing demand for sustainable specialty fats.
“These grants mark a significant milestone for Melt&Marble, enabling us to decrease production costs, scale our innovative technology, and bring sustainable fats to market,” said Thomas Cresswell, Chief Business Officer of Melt&Marble. “We are excited about the opportunities this creates for us to progress on our mission to enable the transition to a more sustainable agri-food system.”
