SuperMeat nabs $3m for lab-grown meat

SuperMeat, an Israeli startup developing lab-made chicken meat, said Tuesday it had raised $3 million in seed funding and formed a strategic partnership with large European poultry producer PHW. The round was led by New Crop Capital and Stray Dog Capital, two venture capital investors focused on more sustainable food systems. Before acquiring the $3 million, SuperMeat said it had raised $230,000 on the Indiegogo crowdfunding site via pre-orders for its meat products. To make its product, SuperMeat extracts cells from a live chicken and grows them into chicken cuts. “This process puts an end to the industrial need to mass produce animals for slaughter, while eliminating exposure to animal waste and food-borne illnesses,” the company says. The Tel Aviv-based startup said the new funding would help bring its chicken products to market within three years at a price similar to conventional chicken products currently available on store shelves. (TheMarker Staff)

TAU, Japan’s NEC launch cybersecurity incubator

Tel Aviv University and Japanese electronics giant NEC said on Monday they are launching an incubator for early-stage cybersecurity startups. The AlphaC incubator will be housed in the university’s new engineering campus and host its first cohort of startups starting in February for a three-month term. Participating startups will be able to join without contributing shares to the university, said Nimrod Cohen, managing partner of the TAU Ventures fund managing the AlphaC. “The university is putting a focus on entrepreneurship in all fields and encourages strong ties with industry,” Prof. Joseph Klafter, TAU’s president, said in a statement. “We believe that with the talents and creativity of researchers, students and graduates, the open approach to information and direct connection to the industry, we will be a breeding ground for start-ups to stand at the forefront of Israeli cyber.” The university also has an internet of things fund, which counts Microsoft, Qualcom and Pitango as partners. (Eliran Rubin)