New York (CNN Business) Beyond Meat, the company that makes meatless alternatives to beef, pork and poultry, began trading at $46 a share on Thursday, an 84% increase over its IPO price of $25.

Just hours after it started trading, the stock had soared to nearly $73. It closed at $65.75 per share, up 163% from its IPO price.

Beyond Meat BYND "We've been overwhelmed with interest from some of the highest quality institutions in the world,"CEO Ethan Brown told CNN Business on Thursday, adding that the increase will help the stock's performance in the long term.

Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown celebrates with guests after ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq in New York.

"It really is a time of unlimited growth." Brown said.

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