Cultivated meat startup Orbillion Bio secures investment from Earth VC

Earth Venture Capital (Earth VC), a Vietnamese climate tech VC firm, has announced a strategic investment in Orbillion Bio, a promising USA-based cultivated meat company. This investment, co-led by several ventures, marks a significant step for Orbillion's growth and technology advancement.

Livestock farming contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. With rising meat consumption due to population and income growth, sustainable solutions are crucial. Cultivated meat, produced from animal cells, offers a promising alternative with a lower environmental impact.

Recognizing the potential of cultivated meat, Earth VC sees this investment as an opportunity to support the industry's growth and combat livestock farming's environmental impact.

Founded in 2020, Orbillion specializes in cultivating Wagyu beef cells. They aim to become a leading B2B supplier, particularly targeting the massive ground beef market. In September 2023, Orbillion achieved a breakthrough 200-liter production run in Singapore, demonstrating their efficient bioprocess within a short timeframe. Notably, they accomplished this feat with less funding than typical pre-Series A companies in the sector.

Furthermore, Orbillion partnered with Luiten Food, a European premium meat leader, to distribute their cell-cultured Wagyu beef in over 35 countries upon EU regulatory approval. This collaboration leverages Luiten's extensive network, facilitating Orbillion's market entry.

"We're excited to partner with Earth VC as we establish a presence in Singapore and explore Asia," said Orbillion's CEO, Patricia Bubner. "Our rapid and cost-effective scaling capabilities make us a leader. We prioritize both technological advancements and consumer needs. The progressive regulatory environment and consumer interest in Asia are encouraging, and we welcome Earth VC's expertise and alignment with our goals."

Despite regulatory hurdles, Earth VC remains optimistic about cultivated meat's future. "This is a prime investment opportunity," added Linh Nguyen of Earth VC. "While initial resistance is understandable, we believe regulations will evolve in the coming years. Our partnership aims to advance the industry, particularly in Eastern markets. Positive regulatory developments are emerging in Singapore, Korea, Japan, China, and beyond."

Nguyen further highlighted Orbillion's unique technology. "Their rapid adaptation to new meats, large-scale production capacity, and eco-friendly approach with low energy and water consumption perfectly align with our values and environmental goals."

Orbillion is working towards achieving price parity with conventional beef and a targeted annual output of four million pounds. Their scalable technology utilizes an asset-light system, optimized bioprocesses, and a predictive algorithm for cultivated cells, minimizing trial costs and maximizing resource efficiency.

This funding round brings Orbillion's total capital to US$15 million, primarily directed towards achieving pre-commercial scale and launching their first product.