Air Protein is a technology company.
Air Protein has raised $107.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Air Protein has raised $107.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Air Protein has raised $107.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Air Protein's investors include B Capital Group, Bling Capital, First Round Capital, Floodgate, GV, Trucks Venture Capital.
Air Protein is a climate tech startup developing sustainable, air-based protein using a proprietary probiotic fermentation process that converts elements from the air—CO2, oxygen, nitrogen—along with water, minerals, and renewable energy into nutrient-rich protein ingredients.[1][2][5] This protein, with an amino acid profile comparable to animal-based sources and enriched with B vitamins, serves as a versatile ingredient for meat-free products like burgers, pasta, cereals, and beverages, targeting food manufacturers, brands, and consumers seeking alternatives to traditional agriculture.[1][2][4] It solves the global challenge of feeding a growing population without relying on arable land, livestock, or crops, offering a carbon-negative solution that uses far less land and water while addressing protein shortages and climate impacts from conventional food production.[2][5][6]
The company has shown strong growth momentum, including scaling to a fully integrated pilot operated for over 5,000 hours, securing ADM as a strategic investor and partner, negotiating over $100M in supply agreements, raising $32M in funding, and earning recognitions like World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and spots in top greentech lists.[2][3][5]
Air Protein emerged from 1960s NASA research on feeding astronauts via microbial protein production from air elements, revisited by founder and CEO Lisa Dyson, a physicist with a doctorate and prior experience as a strategy consultant.[4][5] Dyson partnered with John Reed, holding a doctorate and advanced degrees in materials science and engineering, to adapt this for modern food needs; they first launched Kiverdi in 2009-2010 for carbon transformation applications like biodegradable plastics and crop nutrients.[1][4][5] In 2019, they spun off Air Protein as a Kiverdi subsidiary, debuting the first "Air Meat" chicken analog and focusing on scalable food protein.[4][5][7]
Early traction built through persistent scaling amid startup challenges, with Dyson emphasizing impact potential; pivotal moments include the 2023 ADM partnership for commercialization and pilot successes.[3][4]
Air Protein stands out in the alt-protein space through these key advantages:
Air Protein rides the sustainable protein and carbon utilization wave, addressing agriculture's 30% land use, deforestation, and emissions amid population growth to 10B by 2050.[2][4][6] Timing aligns with rising demand for climate-friendly foods, regulatory pushes for carbon removal, and investor focus on greentech—exemplified by its WEF Pioneer status and Mars/Unreasonable cohort inclusion.[2][3] Market forces like supply chain vulnerabilities, vegan/alt-protein booms, and CO2 repurposing tech favor it, positioning Air Protein to disrupt a $1T+ protein market by decoupling food from photosynthesis limitations.[4][6]
It influences the ecosystem by pioneering "air-based nutrition," inspiring carbon-negative manufacturing and pressuring incumbents toward efficiency, while partnerships like ADM accelerate industry adoption.[3][4]
Air Protein is primed for commercial launch of consumer products, leveraging ADM ties and supply deals to hit market scale soon, potentially leading air-protein as a category.[3][4] Trends like precision fermentation advances, carbon pricing, and food security mandates will propel it, with expansion into functional ingredients and global facilities amplifying reach.[2][3][8] Its influence may evolve from innovator to ecosystem shaper, redefining sustainable food and enabling a "new era" where protein constraints vanish—echoing its mission to feed billions from thin air without planetary harm.[5][7]
Air Protein has raised $107.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $75.0M Venture Round in May 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2023 | $75.0M Venture Round | B Capital Group, Bling Capital, First Round Capital, Floodgate, GV, Trucks Venture Capital | |
| Jan 1, 2021 | $32.0M Series A | B Capital Group, Bling Capital, First Round Capital, Floodgate, GV, Trucks Venture Capital |