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§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
Producer of plant-based seafood alternatives, mimicking tuna and salmon taste, texture, and nutrition using vegetables for food service.
Current Foods has raised $21.1M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at Current Foods.
Current Foods was founded in 2019 by Jacek Prus (Founder).
Current Foods has raised $21.1M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Current Foods is a San Francisco, California-based producer of premium plant-based seafood alternatives, specializing in sushi-grade tuna and salmon substitutes for the B2B food service sector. The company utilizes vegetable ingredients and food science to replicate the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of traditional seafood, supplying ready-to-eat products to fine dining and sushi establishments. The enterprise operated with 24 employees, secured $18.65 million in venture capital funding, and expanded its distribution to more than 450 locations across the United States and Europe. In May 2023, the business was acquired in an all-stock transaction by Wicked Kitchen, a plant-based food company led by Pete Speranza alongside Derek Sarno and Chad Sarno. This strategic acquisition followed Wicked Kitchen's earlier purchase of the alternative seafood brand Good Catch in 2022. Current Foods was originally founded in 2019.
Current Foods is a food technology startup focused on creating *plant-based seafood alternatives*, positioning itself as the "Impossible Foods of seafood." The company develops innovative, vegetable-forward products that mimic the taste and texture of seafood such as crab, whitefish, and scallops, using ingredients like mushrooms and celery root. Their products serve consumers seeking sustainable, ethical, and allergen-friendly seafood options, addressing the environmental and health concerns associated with traditional seafood consumption. Current Foods is part of a growing wave of alt-seafood startups aiming to transform the seafood industry by offering flavorful, sustainable alternatives that appeal to both vegans and flexitarians.
For an investment firm, Current Foods represents a compelling opportunity within the *plant-based and alternative protein sectors*, which are rapidly expanding due to rising consumer demand for sustainable food solutions. The company’s mission aligns with environmental impact goals, and its innovative product development contributes to diversifying the startup ecosystem by pushing the boundaries of food technology beyond meat alternatives into seafood analogs.
Current Foods was founded by a team passionate about sustainability and culinary innovation, with backgrounds in food science and plant-based product development. The idea emerged from recognizing the significant environmental impact of seafood harvesting and aquaculture, combined with the limited availability of convincing plant-based seafood options. Early traction came from successful product launches in retail and foodservice channels, including partnerships with specialty grocers and restaurants, as well as positive reception from chefs and consumers seeking authentic seafood experiences without animal products.
Current Foods rides the *rising trend of plant-based and alternative proteins*, specifically targeting the seafood segment, which has lagged behind meat alternatives in innovation. The timing is critical as consumers become more conscious of overfishing, ocean health, and seafood supply chain vulnerabilities. Market forces such as climate change concerns, health trends favoring plant-based diets, and technological advances in food science create a favorable environment for Current Foods to expand. Their work influences the broader ecosystem by pushing the boundaries of what plant-based foods can achieve, encouraging investment and innovation in alt-seafood and sustainable food tech.
Looking ahead, Current Foods is poised to capitalize on growing consumer interest in sustainable seafood alternatives, with potential expansion into new product lines and international markets. Trends such as flexitarian diets, increasing demand for allergen-friendly foods, and regulatory support for sustainable food innovation will shape their journey. Their influence may grow as they help normalize plant-based seafood in mainstream retail and foodservice, potentially disrupting traditional seafood industries and contributing to a more sustainable global food system.
By pioneering vegetable-forward seafood analogs, Current Foods is carving out a unique niche in the alternative protein landscape, much like Impossible Foods did for plant-based meat, signaling a promising future for the company and the alt-seafood category.
Key people at Current Foods.
Current Foods has raised $21.1M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $18.0M Seed in June 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2022 | $18M Seed | RAY Lane, Union Grove Venture Partners | Astanor Ventures, Northzone, Alexander Ljung, Daniel Skavén Ruben, Eric Quidenus Wahlforss, Chris Paul, Austin Rosen, Tenacity Ventures | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2021 | $3M Seed | — | Andreessen Horowitz, C2 Investment, Cambrian Ventures, Coatue, Electric Capital, Founders Fund, Franklin Templeton Investments, General Catalyst, Gradient Ventures, Green BAY Ventures, Incisive Ventures, LGF, Northzone, Ribbit Capital, Roosh Ventures, Seven Seven SIX, Spark Capital, Virginia Venture Partners, Y Combinator, Alexandre Scialom, BEN Lang, Elad GIL, Jeffrey Wilke, Justin Mateen, Vinay Hiremath, William Hockey | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2020 | $150K Seed | — | BIG Idea Ventures, SOSV | Announced |
Current Foods was founded in 2019 by Jacek Prus (Founder).
Current Foods has raised $21.1M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Current Foods's investors include Ray Lane, Union Grove Venture Partners, Astanor Ventures, Northzone, Alexander Ljung, Daniel Skavén Ruben, Eric Quidenus-Wahlforss, Chris Paul, Austin Rosen, Tenacity Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, C2 Investment.
