Meatable Shuts Down Amid Funding Drought in Cultivated Meat Sector

Dutch cultivated meat startup Meatable has announced it is winding down operations due to an inability to secure additional funding. This decision, disclosed by Agronomics, a key shareholder, comes in the wake of a broader funding crisis affecting the cultivated meat industry. Agronomics had invested approximately £7.9 million ($10.6 million) in Meatable, which represented over 8% of its net asset value as of late September 2025.

Dutch cultivated meat startup Meatable to shut down operations after failing to secure fundingDutch Lab-Grown Meat Startup Meatable Shuts Down Amid Funding StrugglesMore grim news in cultivated meat sector as Meatable folds: ‘We are now entering the second phase of this industry’Meatable Shuts Down as Funding Drought Deepens and Cultivated Meat Enters a New Phase

Founded in 2018 by Krijn de Nood, Daan Luining, and Mark Kotter, Meatable developed a proprietary process utilizing pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to produce cultivated pork. The company aimed to differentiate itself by rapidly producing muscle and fat cells, claiming to achieve this in just four days. Despite raising over $105 million throughout its existence, Meatable struggled to translate its technological advancements into a viable business model.

Dutch Lab-Grown Meat Startup Meatable Shuts Down Amid Funding Struggles

The cultivated meat sector has faced a significant decline in investment, with funding dropping from a peak of $989 million in 2021 to approximately $65 million in 2025. This downturn has raised questions about the commercial viability of cultivated meat, especially as several prominent companies, including Believer Meats and CellRev, have also ceased operations. The lack of investor confidence is attributed to high capital requirements, regulatory uncertainties, and skepticism regarding the timelines for achieving profitability.

Meatable Shuts Down as Funding Drought Deepens and Cultivated Meat Enters a New Phase

Jim Mellon, Executive Chair of Agronomics, expressed disappointment over Meatable's closure but emphasized that the decision was made in the best interests of all stakeholders. He noted that the winding down would follow statutory liquidation procedures. Meanwhile, Suzi Gerber, Executive Director of the Association for Meat Poultry and Seafood Innovation (AMPS), stated that the industry's transition into a more mature phase involves consolidation and the reallocation of talent and intellectual property, rather than a definitive judgment on the technology itself.

Meatable Shuts Down as Funding Drought Deepens and Cultivated Meat Enters a New Phase

Despite the technological promise of cultivated meat, some industry experts argue that the focus on full cellular differentiation, which Meatable emphasized, may not be essential for all companies. This perspective suggests that some firms could achieve market entry using less expensive, undifferentiated cells. Additionally, regulatory hurdles related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have complicated Meatable's path to market, potentially delaying its approval processes in various jurisdictions.

Meatable Shuts Down as Funding Drought Deepens and Cultivated Meat Enters a New Phase

As Meatable shuts down, the cultivated meat industry is expected to enter a new phase characterized by lower capital expenditures and a focus on operational efficiency. Companies that can adapt to these conditions and forge strategic partnerships may still find pathways to success. The closure of Meatable serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by early innovators in the sector, but it also highlights the ongoing evolution of cultivated meat technology and its potential future applications.

Meatable Shuts Down as Funding Drought Deepens and Cultivated Meat Enters a New Phase

• “Commenting on the decision, Jim Mellon, Executive Chair of Agronomics, said, “While this outcome is disappointing, we believe the decision has been taken responsibly and in the best interests of all stakeholders.” — Jim Mellon, Executive Chair of Agronomics

Dutch cultivated meat startup Meatable to shut down operations after failing to secure funding

• “We are now entering the second phase of this industry, characterized by CAPEX-light, OPEX-nimble, long-term deployment strategies rather than breakthrough disruption.” — Suzi Gerber, Executive Director of AMPS

More grim news in cultivated meat sector as Meatable folds: ‘We are now entering the second phase of this industry’

• “the people, capabilities, and technologies developed often persist through new teams, partnerships, and applications.” — Suzi Gerber, Executive Director of AMPS

Meatable Shuts Down as Funding Drought Deepens and Cultivated Meat Enters a New Phase