Big Idea Ventures Portfolio Company Gourmey Seeks Approval in Five Key Markets
05 Agosto 2024 - 8:00AM
Big Idea Ventures, a global investment leader within the food-tech,
agri-tech, and materials science sectors, is happy to announce that
its portfolio company, Paris-based Gourmey, has filed applications
with five regulatory authorities - the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the Food
Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom, the Swiss Federal
Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), and the European
Commission (EC).
This is the first time ever, a regulatory submission has been
made for cultivated meat in the European Union, marking a
significant milestone in the food innovation sector.
“Gourmey’s commitment to innovation and sustainability
exemplifies the transformative potential of cultivated foods. We
are proud to have supported them from their early days and excited
to see them lead the way in bringing sustainable food products to
market,” said Andrew D. Ive, Founder and Managing General Partner
at Big Idea Ventures.
Big Idea Ventures was the first investor in Gourmey and the
startup participated in the New Protein Fund I’s first accelerator
program in Singapore in 2020. This recent development is a
testament to their dedication to innovation and sustainability, and
we are incredibly proud of their progress.
Consumer safety - at the heart of the request for
authorization
The applications will now undergo evaluation by each regulatory
body, including the EU’s Novel Foods law which is considered the
gold standard for food safety.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the
regulatory authorities to ensure full compliance with safety
requirements throughout these procedures. We are confident that our
products will meet these highly demanding standards, so that
everyone who wants to can enjoy new gourmet experiences all around
the world,” said Gourmey’s CEO, Nicolas Morin-Forest.
Gourmey does not use gene-edited or genetically-modified cells,
so their application falls within the scope of novel food
regulation.
Products with a Positive Impact
A study commissioned by Gourmey, anticipating at-scale
production, shows that the company’s innovative technology
significantly lowers the environmental footprint compared to
conventional production in the same product category. In
particular, greenhouse gas emissions, land, and water use would be
reduced. The study is conducted under the external scientific
leadership of Professor Hanna Tuomisto from the University of
Helsinki and the Natural Resources Institute Finland, a leading
European scholar and pioneer in the field of life cycle assessments
of novel foods, including cultivated food.
“Diversifying protein production is crucial for sustaining food
security and contributing to sustainability objectives such as
decarbonization and biodiversity. Integrating cultivated food
production into existing agrifood value chains provides a
complementary protein source that will contribute to resilient food
systems,” said Morin-Forest.
This innovation comes at a decisive time when there is a
critical need to enhance food security and decrease reliance on
low-quality, environmentally detrimental food imports. In this
context, cultivated foods can serve as a valuable addition to
current agrifood value chains, providing a robust tool for
long-term resilience.
“Traditional farming and innovative methods can not only coexist
but also support each other in building a sustainable, future-proof
food system, potentially making farming more appealing to the next
generation,” said Ive.
About Gourmey
Founded in 2019, Gourmey creates sustainable gourmet products
directly from non-GMO animal cells by combining food innovation
with culinary arts. The company now comprises a 60-strong
international team at its food innovation center in Paris, France.
Since its inception, Gourmey has secured over €65 million in public
and private investments and is currently preparing for market
entry, pending regulatory approvals. Gourmey focuses on providing
new and delicious culinary experiences, with its flagship product
set to offer a new choice for foie gras aficionados, chefs, and
restaurants Globally.
Press contact: Grayling France, Dieynaba Kebe,
gourmey-press@grayling.com
About Big Idea Ventures
Big Idea Ventures is a global investment leader within the
food-tech, agri-tech, and materials science sectors. We specialize
in investing in the most innovative and sustainable technology
companies worldwide. We combine capital and partnerships to drive
economic growth and build new food ecosystems. By creating and
supporting trailblazing companies we aim to reduce the climate
impact of food production and sustainably feed the world. Big Idea
Ventures has teams in New York, Paris and Singapore and has
invested in more than 110 companies across 30 countries. Learn more
about Big Idea Ventures at www.bigideaventures.com.
Press contact: Olivia Chavassieu, news@bigideaventures.com