Bettermeat
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The Better Meat Co. develops fermentation-based technology to produce alternative protein ingredients, aiming to build a more sustainable food system. It applies expertise from the food and agriculture industry to create novel proteins.
Also known as BMC Ingredients · The Better Meat Co.
Founders & leadership
Investors · 4
Company profile
researched Aug 2026The Better Meat Co., which markets its ingredient business as BMC Ingredients, produces Rhiza, a mycelium-based food ingredient positioned as a whole-food, complete protein with a clean label. Rhiza is described as versatile, shelf-stable, free from common allergens, and cost-effective, and is offered in more than one physical format for different food applications.
In granule form, Rhiza is used to provide chew and structure, both in animal-free products and as an enhancer blended into animal meat, where the company states it improves nutrition and mouthfeel while reducing saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. The company also states that Rhiza is more cost-effective than beef. In powder form, the ingredient is used to increase protein and fiber content in nutrition supplements and baked goods.
Business model
The company operates as a business-to-business ingredient supplier, selling its Rhiza mycelium ingredient to food producers for incorporation into their own finished products, including both animal-free applications and conventional meat products.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market
Market position
Rhiza is recognized as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA and, according to the company, is the only mycelium ingredient deemed by the USDA as safe and suitable for inclusion in animal meat. The company also positions the ingredient as costing less than beef while functioning as a meat enhancer rather than solely a meat substitute.
Technology
The company's core technology is a mycelium-based protein ingredient, Rhiza, supplied as granules or powder. The company describes Rhiza as an all-natural, whole-food complete protein that is shelf-stable and free from common allergens, with granules delivering texture and structure and powder used for protein and fiber fortification.
Go-to-market
The company markets Rhiza directly to food industry customers through its website, emphasizing ingredient functionality, nutritional profile, cost, and regulatory clearances, alongside video content from its CEO outlining the company's vision for mycelium-based food.
Food manufacturers and product developers, including makers of animal-free meat alternatives, conventional meat products seeking to blend in mycelium, and producers of nutrition supplements and baked goods.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Bettermeatbettermeat.co · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Bettermeat do?
- The Better Meat Co. makes Rhiza, a high-protein mycelium ingredient for meat enhancement and animal-free foods.
- Who founded Bettermeat?
- Bettermeat was founded by Paul Shapiro.
- Who are Bettermeat's investors?
- Bettermeat's investors include Evolution VC Partners, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures, Lever VC, Future Ventures.