Air Protein

Air Protein, based in the Bay Area, is the world's first company to create protein from air for alternative meat products. The novel protein is created by using a vertical farming system to feed carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen to microbes that generate the protein. The process allows the startup to produce protein in days rather than months, regardless of the climate. Air Protein utilizes a carbon transformation technology developed by its sister company- Kiverdi. The company is in the process of getting GRAS certification for its alternative protein ingredient.

Key customers and partnerships

In May 2023 , the company entered a strategic development agreement with ingredient supplier Archer Daniels Midland (AMD) to scale production and develop products for commercialization. Through the agreement, ADM was to leverage its industry expertise in research, technology, insights, and strategy to scale Air Protein’s platform and explore novel methods of food production that only utilize air, water, and energy.

Funding and financials

In its latest funding round in January 2021, the company raised USD 32 million in a series A funding round led by ADM Ventures, Barclays, and GV to fund an innovation R&D lab, accelerate product development and commercialization, and recruit new team members.