UMAMI UNITED secures US$2 million to scale global R&D and production of plant-based eggs

UMAMI UNITED, a Tokyo-based food-tech company developing next-generation plant-based egg ingredients, has raised US$2 million (JPY 310 million) in an additional pre-Series A funding round. The new capital will accelerate research and development, business expansion, and international partnerships as the company prepares to take its innovative egg alternatives to global markets.

The investment strengthens UMAMI UNITED’s position as a pioneer in functional plant-based ingredients designed to replicate the complex properties of real eggs. As the global food industry faces rising egg prices, unstable supply chains, and growing demand from consumers with egg allergies or plant-based diets, the company’s technology offers a scalable, sustainable solution.

UMAMI UNITED uses proprietary methods to deconstruct and reconstruct egg functionalities with plant-derived materials, achieving texture, taste, and performance comparable to conventional eggs. Eggs play a crucial, often invisible role in maintaining the quality of food products, providing essential properties such as coagulation, foaming, emulsification, and binding – all of which are difficult to reproduce. The company’s scientific approach enables accurate replication of these characteristics, allowing food manufacturers to meet diverse consumer needs without compromising product quality.

“With this funding, we will strengthen our product development and global partnerships, especially in North America, to meet growing demand,” said Hiroto Yamazaki, CEO of UMAMI UNITED. “Our mission is to create a society where people from diverse backgrounds can come together at one table – and to build sustainable food infrastructure from Japan.”

The company plans to accelerate its R&D in plant-based irreversible thermo-gelling materials to reproduce the structural and physicochemical properties of eggs. It will also establish scalable production technologies and expand hiring to support international operations, particularly in North America and Europe. By refining its replication platform to meet global food standards, UMAMI UNITED aims to contribute to a sustainable and scientifically grounded food system.

Investors in this round expressed strong confidence in the company’s potential to transform the future of food.

“When I first heard the term ‘100% plant-based eggs,’ I was curious about what it really meant,” said Yusuke Okazawa, Principal at mint. “After meeting CEO Hiroto Yamazaki and COO Oba, I was deeply inspired by their passion, execution, and the enormous potential of UMAMI EGG. The team’s balance of research expertise and business sense is truly impressive.”

Akito Arima, Partner and Agri-Food Lead at Beyond Next Ventures, added, “The company’s outstanding egg-replication technology has been highly evaluated by food manufacturers, and adoption of its products is already expanding both domestically and internationally. We look forward to the realization of a society where everyone can enjoy meals together at one table.”

Other investors echoed the company’s strengths in scientific precision and adaptability. Shu Sogabe, Investment Manager at Genesia Ventures, noted that UMAMI UNITED’s modular approach “allows flexibility in recipes and accelerates development,” while SMBC Venture Capital’s Kenta Sugitani said the company’s “precise analysis and advanced plant-based reproduction technology are already proven globally.”

Satoshi Obata, Investment Manager at United, Inc., highlighted the quality of the company’s products firsthand. “When we first tried their samples, we were impressed by the remarkable accuracy and taste,” he said. “We believe this team will continue to grow as a leading Japanese food-tech company with strong global competitiveness.”

UMAMI UNITED’s technology and brand philosophy also resonated with new institutional investors. “UMAMI UNITED represents a new kind of food-tech company that leverages scientific approaches and Japan’s unique strengths in umami and richness,” said Yuki Motegi of Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. “We look forward to supporting their continued growth by maximizing the MUFG Group’s resources.”

Yoshiaki Nakayama, Investment Manager at Mizuho Capital, added, “Their functionality-driven approach focused on stability is a major advantage in global food innovation. Together with the Mizuho Group, we will support their mission to create a world without food boundaries.”

For UMAMI UNITED, this latest funding round marks an important milestone in advancing its proprietary technologies and international reach. By combining Japan’s scientific expertise with a global vision, the company aims to redefine what plant-based ingredients can achieve – not just as substitutes, but as superior, scalable building blocks for a more inclusive and resilient food future.