Umiami secures funding to drive global expansion in plant-based meat alternatives

03 Oct 2023 --- Umiami, a French food tech company, has closed a €32.5 million (US$ 34.7 million) financing round. The funding is set to bolster the industrialization of its “umisation” technology, expedite European distribution, and facilitate its expansion into the US market.

This investment strengthens the company’s position in the rapidly growing plant-based food industry. Its technology, known as “umisation,” enables the production of plant-based meat and fish alternatives with a taste and texture virtually indistinguishable from their animal-based counterparts while boasting equivalent nutritional value, they claim. 

This novel approach utilizes fewer than ten ingredients and is devoid of controversial additives or texturizing agents. Flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans alike can savor these “melt-in-the-mouth” plant-based filets, which offer a protein-rich dietary choice.

Tristan Maurel and Martin Habfast, co-founders of Umiami, say: “This round of funding will enable us to revolutionize the food industry by offering sustainable and tasty alternatives to meat-based products.”

They add that they are “delighted to expand into the US” and “are ready to shape the future of food tech.”

Expanding European presence
Building on the industrial pilot in the Paris region, Umiami is positioned to become a bigger international player in plant-based meat alternatives with the inauguration of its new factory in Alsace. 

This facility will have the capacity to produce 7,500 metric tons per production line, with plans to increase production to 20,000 metric tons over time. In tandem with these developments, the company remains committed to innovation through its Research and Development Center, which is set to unveil a range of new products.

Following a launch in Switzerland this summer, Umiami’s expansion continues its steady march across Europe’s well-established plant-based food markets. 

Operating within both the restaurant and retail sectors, Umiami has already made inroads in the foodservice industry in various European countries, including Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, where its plant-based chicken filet has received acclaim among culinary professionals. 

Flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans alike can savor these plant-based filets.“Umiami is offering an upmarket range of plant-based filets. It enables us to boost reindustrialization in France while enhancing the country’s reputation for agri-food expertise internationally through the development of cutting-edge initiatives serving healthy, traceable food with a low carbon footprint,” explains Jean-Philippe Richard, deputy director of the SPI fund, which provides endorsement of Umiami’s development strategy.

Diving into the US
Umiami is hoping to capture the attention of the US market.Despite the sector being in the early stages of development, consumer demand for plant-based foods remains robust, both in foodservice and at-home. Health-conscious choices and environmental considerations are key drivers of this shift toward reduced or meat-free diets among US consumers.

Despite a decline in plant-based meat sales volumes in the US last year, industry experts believe that the sector has ample room for growth by improving taste parity and affordability.

While the plant-based meat market in the US has encountered challenges, such as highly processed products and varying taste and texture profiles, Umiami aims to address these issues by offering a more appealing plant-based chicken filet.

By Sichong Wang