Umaro Foods

Umaro Foods, formerly known as Trophic, is a California-based plant-based bacon startup. The company leverages its proprietary technology to create plant-based bacon using seaweed protein in two interconnected processes. First, the protein extract of the ocean-harvested seaweed is used to replace heme functionally. Second, is an encapsulation process that traps plant-based oils to mimic the crispiness of bacon. In June 2022 the company launched its plant-based bacon at three restaurants in the US (Sorrel Restaurant, Egg Shop, and D’Andrews bakery and cafe) with plans to debut at more restaurants later during the year.

Key customers and partnerships

The startup was also developing a technology to scale up seaweed farming for which it received an ARPA-E grant. The firm has formed strategic collaborations to advance seaweed farming in other parts of the world, including partnering with the University of New Hampshire and Otherlab to improve first-generation offshore farming technologies in the Gulf of Maine, to support the sustainable use of ocean-harvested seaweed.

Funding and financials

In its latest funding round in March 2024, the company raised USD 3.8 million in seed funding led by AgFunder, with participation from other investors. The funds were earmarked for launching its seaweed-based bacon into the retail market and to help implement a continuous production process, which claims to be a more cost-effective alternative to its current batch manufacturing process.