Project Eaden

High-Level Overview

Project Eaden is a Berlin-based food-tech startup developing ultra-realistic plant-based meats using proprietary fiber-spinning technology inspired by the textile industry. The company creates advanced protein fibers from plant ingredients like pea protein, replicating the taste, texture, chew, and marbling of animal meat while drastically cutting environmental impact—reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 20 kg per kg, water use by 56 m³ per kg, and land use by 20 m² per kg compared to traditional meat.[1][2][3] It serves consumers seeking sustainable alternatives, retailers like REWE supermarkets, and food service providers, addressing the challenge of high meat consumption amid climate change by making the switch to animal-free options a "no-brainer" through superior sensory experience and scalability.[2][3] With €15M raised in a Series A round in 2025 (following €10M+ seed funding), Project Eaden is scaling production for a mid-2025 retail launch of plant-based ham in 2,000 German stores, targeting the €2B+ market, with plans for more products and global expansion.[1][3]

Origin Story

Project Eaden was founded in early 2022 in Berlin by Dr. David Schmelzeisen (PhD in textile engineering), Jan Wilmking (ex-Zalando executive and McKinsey alum with expertise in scaling businesses), and Hubertus Bessau (founder of mymuesli).[3][4] The idea emerged from adapting decades-optimized textile fiber-spinning processes—used in aerospace and IT—to food production, creating ultra-thin (100 micrometer) edible plant protein fibers bundled into muscle-like strands with vegetable fats for marbled meats.[2][4] Early traction included €10.1M in seed funding from Creandum, Magnetic, Atlantic Food Labs, and others, plus €2M in grants, enabling R&D for products like plant-based steak (initially eyed for 2023 launch) and a team of 30 scientists, engineers, and business pros.[3][4][5] Pivotal moments: Extending seed to $10.8M in 2023 for tech advancement, and a €15M Series A in 2025 to scale toward retail debut.[1][3][5]

Core Differentiators

• Proprietary Fiber-Spinning Technology: Draws from textile industry for scalable, low-cost production of 100-micrometer plant protein fibers mimicking animal muscle strands, fats, and marbling—enabling whole cuts like steak and ham with authentic taste, texture, and nutrition from pea protein and other plants.[2][3][4]
• Superior Realism and Versatility: Delivers "ultra-realistic" meats that exceed animal counterparts in sensory profile, applicable to diverse categories (cold cuts, steaks, future expansions), unlike extrusion-based alternatives.[1][2][4]
• Environmental Edge: Per kg, slashes GHG by 20 kg CO₂-eq (like 100km car drive), water by 56 m³ (660 Europeans' daily use), and land by 20 m² (small garden size), making it highly impactful for decarbonizing food.[1][2][3]
• Scalability and Affordability: Cheap, high-volume manufacturing supports broad market access, from retail (e.g., REWE nationwide) to food service and brand partnerships, backed by Happiness Capital's Asian network.[1][3]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Project Eaden rides the climate-tech wave in alt-proteins, targeting meat production's outsized role in emissions, water scarcity, and land use amid rising global consumption.[2] Timing is ideal: Post-2022 founding aligns with EU sustainability mandates, consumer demand for realistic plant-based options, and €2B+ German ham market ripe for disruption via 2025 REWE rollout.[1][3] Market forces like food giants seeking animal-free transitions and investor appetite (e.g., €25M+ total funding) favor its scalable tech over less realistic predecessors.[1][3][5] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering fiber tech for "irresistible" alternatives, potentially accelerating the shift to low-carbon food and inspiring cross-industry adaptations from textiles to agrotech.[2][4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Project Eaden's near-term path centers on 2025 ham launch in Germany, scaling production, hiring for ops/sales/marketing, and portfolio expansion into more meats for retail/food service.[1][3] Over 24 months, expect DACH dominance then Europe-wide growth, leveraging Happiness Capital for Asia, with long-term global reach via versatile tech.[1] Trends like regulatory pushes for decarbonization and AI-optimized food R&D will propel it, evolving its role from niche innovator to mainstream meat replacer—potentially redefining daily meals as planet-friendly without compromise, fulfilling its vision from day one.[2][4]