Investment & Fund Management

Biocraft Pet Nutrition, founded in 2016 and based in Vienna, is addressing significant environmental challenges associated with traditional pet food production. The company recognizes that over a quarter of the environmental impacts of the entire animal industry stem from pet food, with cats and dogs collectively consuming meat equivalent to the fifth largest meat-consuming country globally. To combat this, Biocraft is pioneering the development of cultured meat derived from animal cells, specifically targeting the pet food market.

The tailored solution provided by Biocraft involves growing meat in bioreactors under controlled conditions, which mimics the natural growth processes of animals. This innovative approach not only aims to produce a nutrient-rich pâté-style ingredient for pet food but also significantly reduces the environmental footprint associated with traditional meat production. The cultured meat is designed to replace conventional meat in both wet and dry pet food, catering to the preferences of cats and dogs.

As a result of their efforts, Biocraft has secured an equity investment from Tilia Ventures, a venture capital firm supported by the European Investment Fund (EIF) under the InvestEU programme. This funding is crucial for their research and development, allowing them to optimize their production processes and nutritional profiles. Biocraft is on track to become price-competitive with traditional meat producers, with plans to establish their own production facility to meet the growing demand from pet food companies. The company anticipates launching commercially in 2026, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future in pet food production.