New Zealand agritech startup Forever Harvest has closed a US$717,000 million pre-seed funding round to advance its cellular horticulture technology. The company aims to produce cultivated fruit and nut ingredients, offering a climate-resilient solution to the global food industry's supply chain challenges. This investment was led by early-stage agrifood investor Sprout Agritech, signaling strong confidence in the company's future.
A New Frontier in Agriculture
Forever Harvest is pioneering cellular horticulture, a process of growing specific fruit or nut cells in a laboratory instead of cultivating entire plants. This method allows for the precise production of cultured cells with targeted nutrients, flavours, and functional benefits. By bypassing traditional farming, the company can create consistent, high-quality ingredients without the constraints of seasonality or geography.
The company's technology addresses growing risks to crop quality from climate volatility and disease, which cause price instability. Food and flavour companies increasingly seek dependable, year-round ingredient sources to mitigate these disruptions. Forever Harvest provides a sustainable alternative that requires minimal land and water while eliminating the need for pesticides or fertilisers.
Strategic Investment and Vision
The $717,000 investment, spearheaded by Sprout Agritech with support from key science institutes, marks a pivotal moment for the startup. Co-founder Mick Riley stated the funding is a major step forward, enabling the company to advance its pilot activities. It will also allow for deeper engagement with customers who are actively exploring new, resilient supply solutions.
The company is strategically focused on creating high-value ingredients for commercial use rather than competing in the consumer market for whole fruits. This approach positions Forever Harvest as a key partner within existing food and flavour supply chains. Their goal is to build a commercially scalable business that integrates seamlessly with multinational food and ingredient companies.
Expert Leadership and Investor Confidence
The venture is built upon deep technical expertise, led by co-founder Dr. Jan Grant, who brings over four decades of experience in plant cell culture. Her extensive knowledge is instrumental in developing the technology to grow edible whole cells with their unique matrix of aromas and flavours. This scientific leadership provides a distinct competitive advantage in the emerging field of cellular agriculture.
Investor confidence in the startup is high, as articulated by Irene Hao, Investment Manager at Sprout Agritech. She highlighted the combination of strong early customer engagement and the founding team's profound technical skill as key factors. This validation underscores the company's potential to scale a globally relevant platform that solves an urgent problem for food producers.
Future Growth and Industry Impact
With the new capital, Forever Harvest plans to accelerate its growth by expanding its portfolio of cell lines and continuing pilot-scale production. The company will focus on progressing these pilots over the coming year to refine its processes. This phase is critical for strengthening collaborations with commercial partners and preparing the technology for market entry.
The success of this venture also highlights the commercial potential of New Zealand's research and development sector. Dr. Gavin Ross of the Bioeconomy Science Institute noted that the spin-out demonstrates how local innovation can attract investment and build global connections. This technology has the potential to significantly contribute to the growth of New Zealand's bioeconomy.
This $717,000 funding round propels Forever Harvest into a new phase of development, positioning it as a leader in sustainable food ingredient production. By harnessing cellular horticulture, the company offers a powerful solution to the vulnerabilities of traditional agriculture, promising consistency and resilience. The investment validates their innovative approach and marks a significant step toward a more secure global food supply chain.