German start-up Project Eaden has closed an oversubscribed €15m Series A funding round to support the launch of its ultra-realistic plant-based meat products, starting with its ham alternatives.
The round was led by Planet A and Rewe Group, with participation from Deep Tech and Climate Fonds. Happiness Capital, AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance and existing investors Creandum and FoodLabs also joined the round.
Project Eaden uses a proprietary fibre spinning and compounding technology to create ultra-realistic plant-based meat cuts from plant proteins like wheat, pea and fava beans. Its products are claimed to match animal meat quality in taste, texture and appearance. They provide a nitrate-free and antibiotic-free alternative to traditional processed pork meats, aiming to meet the rising demand for meat alternatives that can match animal meat’s taste experience and nutritional profile.
The start-up plans to use the funding to support a pan-European retail launch, scale up its production capacity and expand its product portfolio through dedicated R&D activities. The company is expanding its team with strategic hires in operations, engineering, marketing and sales.
Project Eaden will launch in multiple European markets in 2025, beginning with Germany, where its plant-based ham products will debut in thousands of Rewe stores across the country. The launch leverages the popularity of ham with European consumers, a market worth over €2 billion in Germany alone, the company highlighted.
David Schmelzeisen, co-founder of Project Eaden, said: “Our proprietary tech is versatile across meat types, cheap and highly scalable." Schmelzeisen – a former manager at fashion retailer Zalando – established Project Eaden with co-founder Jan Wilmking, who holds a PhD in textile engineering. The two realised they could apply proprietary spinning and compounding technology inspired by the textile industry to recreating meat scalably and cost-effectively.
The company said its products have now been endorsed by butchers, Michelin chefs and retail buyers. The recent investment brings its total funding so far to €27 million.
Christoph Gras, general partner of investor Planet A, said: “Research suggests that plant-based products could replace 11-22% of global meat consumption by 2035 – but only if improvements are made in taste and texture”.
“Project Eaden is leading this shift with its new fibre technology, which delivers a meat alternative that will appeal even to the most sceptical consumers. This first-of-a-kind approach is a crucial step toward decarbonising the food sector.”
