US Defense Department Backs The Better Meat Co. with $1.4M for Advanced Biotech Development

The Better Meat Co. has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the United States Department of Defense as part of the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program. The funding will support the production of its mycoprotein ingredient, Rhiza, which is used as a sustainable protein alternative. The company recently received FDA recognition for the safety of Rhiza, and plans to scale up production with the grant.

The investments from the DoD aim to strengthen the United States' bioeconomic capabilities and enhance defense capabilities. The company's innovative biotech development is seen as a way to make supply chains more resilient, create jobs, and strengthen America's economy. This funding will support the company in reaching cost parity with commodity beef and increasing domestic biomanufacturing capabilities.