Lab-Grown Fruit Startup Secures $1.2M to Fight Climate Change Impact

New Zealand startup Forever Harvest has secured NZ$1.2 million in pre-seed funding. The investment will push forward its work on lab-grown fruit and nut ingredients as climate change threatens traditional farming. The company's technology aims to produce whole cells without genetic modification.

Forever Harvest uses cellular horticulture to grow fruits and nuts in controlled lab settings. Its process targets food, beverage, and flavour manufacturers looking for sustainable alternatives. The technology builds on intellectual property from Plant & Food Research, which tested the method on various crops.

The NZ$1.2 million (around $715,000) will speed up development and expand the company's range of fruit and nut cell lines. Funds will also support pilot-scale production and team growth. Before this funding, Forever Harvest took part in two Sprout Agritech programmes to refine its approach.

Climate change is already impacting global fruit production. Morocco expects a 10% drop in soft fruit yields this season. By 2080, nearly two-thirds of banana-growing regions in Latin America and the Caribbean may no longer suit cultivation. These challenges have driven interest in lab-grown solutions.

The startup has begun discussions with major food brands to explore commercial uses. Its focus remains on functionality and precision, avoiding genetic engineering while meeting industry demand.

The pre-seed funding will help Forever Harvest scale its lab-grown ingredients and strengthen its market position. With climate pressures increasing, the company's technology offers an alternative for food producers. Further expansion depends on successful pilot production and industry partnerships.