Sempera Organics signs memorandum of understanding with Good Machine to scale up fungi-based food production

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Sempera Organics (Morgan Hill, CA) has announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Good Machine, a San Francisco-based venture studio, to develop advanced manufacturing technologies that focus on scaling up fungi-based food production. The company explains in a press release that because of the world’s growing population ­– estimated to reach or surpass 10 billion by 2050 – our current agricultural practices and food production methods will be challenged, and may ultimately be unsustainable.

“To make an impact, we should work towards the creation of climate change resilient food sources and associated technologies. Further, production should be close to consumption anywhere in the world with capex, unit economics and scale to impactfully reduce carbon emissions, land water and energy use,” said Nirmal Nair, CEO and founder of Sempera Organics, in a press release. “Sempera has a clear vision to feed and heal the world using fungi,” he added.

The concern for unsustainable agricultural and food production practices has led Sempera to develop Mamu, the company’s flagship food product made from mushrooms, mycelium, and chickpeas. According to Nair, Mamu is seeing solid traction in food service by appealing to both chefs and consumers though taste, mouthfeel, ingredients, and versatility.

“With Mamu, we have a desirable food source that provides nutrition sustainably,” said Nair. “The challenge ahead is to scale Mamu production and do it swiftly. This requires a first principles rethink of every aspect of the process and the use of modern technologies to address the challenges. Our partnership with Good Machine is going to make that happen.”

Good Machine, according to Sempera’s press release, invents, incubates, and scales solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. “Sempera is doing promising work for the planet and its people. Good Machine thinks globally and brings that knowledge to its development process. We look forward to partner together on the future of global impact food systems,” said David Solomon, Good Machine’s CEO, in a press release. “Good Machine works are the intersection of technology, platform development and taking moonshot ideas to fruition. Established in 2019, Good Machine works at the intersection of technology, innovation, and design. The Good Machine team has won National Geographic awards, scaled technology to over 45 countries, and scaled 5 companies during the first 18 months of the global pandemic.”