Food Technology Startup Tender Food Inc. has established itself as a major player in the industry despite the crowded market. The four-year-old startup, formerly known as Boston Meats, has developed plant-based alternative meats such as beef short rib, pulled pork, chicken breast, and crab using fiber-spinning technology.
Tender’s co-founder and CEO, Christophe Chantre, believes the company’s technology is more advanced than existing plant-based meat products from companies like Impossible Foods or Beyond Meat in terms of taste, texture, nutrition, and cost. This has led to a surge in growth and popularity, with the company now set to supply products to more than a dozen locations in the Boston area after partnering with fast-food chain Clover Food Lab.
The company has secured an additional $11 million in Series A funding, following a $12 million seed round in 2022. The new funding will go towards further product development and scaling up manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand.
Chantre plans to continue investing in technology and developing new products to create better alternatives for consumers. He hopes to work with a variety of food manufacturers and suppliers across the industry to create a more sustainable and scalable model. The company has also appointed a new board member, Mike Messersmith, former president of Oatly’s US operations, to help guide its next stage of growth.
