MOA

Founded in 2020, MOA Foodtech is a Spanish B2B platform that produces alternative protein and sustainable ingredients. It uses precision fermentation, AI, and agrifood byproducts sourced from industry side streams, such as from the sugar, wheat, corn, beer, and potato industries, to create microbial proteins and functional ingredients to tackle the growing global population’s food demands without using arable land.

MOA first developed its single-cell protein in July 2021, where it converted agrifood side streams, microbes, through a fermentation process using AI into an alternative protein ingredient. This protein product is claimed to be more sustainable than beef protein, consuming 98% less water, 99% less land, and 85% less carbon emissions. It is also allergen- and GMO-free, comprising ~70% protein, beta-glucans, vitamin B, and omega fatty acids.

In July 2022, MOA Foodtech won the “European Scale It Up! Innovation Challenge 2022,” a challenge amongst startup companies to upscale their projects. As the winner of the challenge, MOA was entitled to support in the form of mentorship, networks of partners, and R&D support. In November 2023, MOA was a finalist at Fi Europe’s Most Innovative AI Solution Supporting the F&B Industry 2023.

Key customers and partnerships

In July 2021, MOA was selected by Mexican food processor Sigma Alimentos for its Tastech by Sigma program to collaboratively discover applications of the former’s protein into the latter’s plant-based products.

In 2022, MOA partnered with Barilla Group, an Italian pasta producer, to study and integrate the side streams from Barilla’s pasta processing into MOA’s fermentation processes.

In January 2023, MOA partnered with Incarlopsa, a Spanish producer of fresh, cured, and Iberian pork products. The partnership’s goal was to incorporate MOA’s plant-based protein into Incarlopsa’s sausages and ground meat products within a budget of EUR 1 million (~USD 1.07 million).