Bridging the gap in cellular agriculture: The Cultured Hub opens in Switzerland

The Cultured Hub has officially opened its cutting-edge biotech facility, setting a new standard for scaling up cellular agriculture. This milestone is a leap forward for the cultivated food and beverage industry, offering solutions to global food challenges by reducing environmental impact and enhancing food security.

The Cultured Hub is equipped with state-of-the-art labs, fermentation systems, and cell culture capabilities, enabling start-ups and organizations to bring sustainable, healthy, and affordable products to market faster. Beyond food, the Hub’s technology platform extends to diverse applications, from cultivated meats, dairy, and fish to plant-based cocoa, pet food, cosmetics, and even pharmaceuticals.

The Hub is uniquely positioned to help companies scale up from laboratory research to pilot-scale production, supporting processes from small-scale experiments to 1,000-liter pilot runs. By providing access to world-class equipment and expertise, the facility eliminates the need for heavy capital investment, allowing start-ups to protect equity and focus on innovation.

CEO Yannick Gaechter of The Cultured Hub described the opening as a pivotal moment for sustainable food production. "Our mission is to empower companies to develop market-ready products without the financial barriers of scaling. By bridging this gap, we aim to create tangible improvements in the global food system."

The facility can host three companies simultaneously in fully separated suites, fostering both innovation and collaboration. This setup not only accelerates development timelines but also helps companies deliver high-quality, cost-competitive products to market faster.

The Cultured Hub is a joint venture between three industry giants: Migros, Givaudan, and Bühler Group. Together, these organizations bring centuries of expertise in food production, processing, marketing, and sustainability. Their combined resources and industry insights make the Hub a premier launchpad for cellular agriculture innovations.

Ian Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Bühler Group, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. "The Cultured Hub provides a critical platform for companies to scale up while retaining equity and protecting intellectual property. By fostering a collaborative environment, we can drive transformative advancements in the industry."

Fabio Campanile, Givaudan’s Global Head of Science & Technology for Taste & Wellbeing, highlighted the potential for co-creation. "Our expertise in flavors and biotech positions us to unlock new opportunities in cellular agriculture. Through partnerships with start-ups and customers, we are building an ecosystem that delivers healthier, planet-friendly solutions."

Migros, Switzerland’s largest retailer, also plays a pivotal role in the venture. Matthew Robin, CEO of Elsa Group at Migros Industries, noted, "The Cultured Hub represents a paradigm shift in food production. At Migros, we are committed to offering innovative and sustainable choices to our consumers."

Located in Kemptthal, Switzerland, the Hub is strategically positioned in one of Europe’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems. This location provides an ideal environment for collaboration among start-ups, industry leaders, and research institutions, fostering breakthroughs in sustainable food technologies.