Fresh seafood made from plants
Current Foods
US-based Current Foods was founded by Jacek Prus in 2019 to transition the food system towards sustainability, starting with what we eat from the ocean.
Investment rationale
Challenge
Our food systems and land use are together responsible for 22% of global GHG emissions. Many alternative proteins have focused on replacing meat due to land-based animals’ high carbon footprint, but few people know that fishing is responsible for 2% of emissions (the same amount as aviation). The emissions come from the fuels used to power boats and a specific fishing technique called bottom trawling, which disrupts marine sediments, the largest carbon sink in the world. Additionally, fish are made from carbon so overfishing has led to higher GHG emissions.
Technology
Current Foods produces fresh seafood from plants through a texturizing process. The company’s plant-based salmon and tuna are made from water, sunflower and algae oils, radish, potato, and bamboo. Its technology enables the products to very closely resemble traditional seafood products (Carbon Equity’s founders couldn’t taste the difference), with great taste, texture and nutritional density that is paving the way for a growing alternative fish market.
Competitive advantage
Current Foods delivers on taste, texture and nutrition while providing a real solution for current environmental and health crises. Considered the best fish alternative by many, their products are gaining market traction in a quickly growing segment within the alternative protein market, which is expected to grow to $200bn by 2028.
Founders
Jacek Prus
CEO
Investment fund
Astanor Ventures
Astanor is an impact investor focused on technology transforming the agrifood value chain from soil and sea — to your gut.
