Daiz

Daiz is a Japanese startup that offers plant-based alternatives for beef, chicken, and seafood under the Miracle Meats brand. The company uses sprouted soybeans, in contrast to the commonly used dry grains, to produce its plant-based meat, following an approach called the Ochiai Germination method. Under the Ochiai Germination method, the soybeans sprout inside a steel tank triggering enzymic activities that boost the glutamic acid (amino acids that create the umami flavor) and other essential amino acids that claim to give the end product a superior flavor to dry grains. 

In June 2021, Daiz expanded its production facility in the Kumamoto prefecture, effectively quadrupling the plant's production capacity. The company plans to open another facility in Kumamoto in 2025 with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons.

Funding and financials

In its latest funding round in October 2023 , Daiz raised 7.1 billion yen (~USD 47.4 million) in Series C funding, consisting of debt and equity. The funds were earmarked for building a new production facility in Kumamoto, Japan.