Considered one of the world’s most prominent and influential climate activists, Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio has invested an undisclosed sum in cultivated meat start-ups Mosa Meat and Aleph Farms. He’s also joining their advisory boards and is hailed as helping to “usher in a new age of meat production.” 

Well known for his work tackling climate change as well as winning acting accolades,  DiCaprio has pinpointed two of the most pioneering companies working in the cell-based space. 

Both companies have demonstrated the ability to grow beef directly from animal cells, unveiling the first cultivated hamburger by Mosa Meat in 2013 and the first cultivated steak and ribeye by Aleph Farms in 2018 and 2021 respectively.

Planetary health 
“Leo’s investment and move to our sustainability advisory board not only validates our sustainability hypothesis but also confirms our road map for ushering in a new age of meat production that helps combat climate change and preserve our precious planet,” 

DiCaprio is well known for his climate change activism.Didier Toubia, co-founder and CEO, Aleph Farms, tells FoodIngredientsFirst. 

He highlights a recent study published by CE Delft finding that cultivated meat has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of beef production by 92%. 

“Leo brings a proven track record as an investor and advisor to companies working tirelessly to combat the effects of climate change in order to protect our planet. His long-standing commitment to environmental causes makes him highly influential, and his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which works to combat the effects of climate change, has raised over US$80 million since 2008,” he says. 

Toubia adds that DiCaprio shares Aleph Farm’s goal to reshape the global food production system and put planetary health at the center of meat production. 

“Anytime we can align with others who are working to build more sustainable, resilient solutions for the health of people and our planet, it is a win for Aleph Farms,” he says.

Although he’s keeping tight-lipped about exactly what is coming next, Toubia hints that more developments are on the horizon as the cultivated meat space heads toward commercialization. 

“There is so much going on at Aleph Farms, and we have exciting news to share in the coming weeks,” he says. 

“We continue to expand in key regions around the world, including Asia, the Middle East and the US. We are working tirelessly to meet our company’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2025 and partnering with world-class leaders to ensure our supply chain is carbon neutral by 2030.”

Changing food systems 
“One of the most impactful ways to combat the climate crisis is to fundamentally reshape our global food system. Mosa Meat pioneered a cleaner, kinder way of making real beef with the world’s first cultivated beef burger in 2013,” says DiCaprio. Mosa Meats’ cultivated beef meatball.

“I’m honored to join it as advisor and investor as it now prepares to bring cultivated beef to market for all those who crave change.”

Mosa Meat is now scaling up production of the same beef but in a way that is better for people, animals, and the planet. 

“DiCaprio’s work to bring about positive change is closely aligned with our mission at Mosa Meat. We are thrilled to bring him on board as advisor and

investor and work together to feed current and future generations sustainably,” says CEO Maarten Bosch.

Headquartered in Maastricht, The Netherlands, Mosa Meat is a privately held company backed by Blue Horizon, M Ventures, Bell Food Group, Nutreco, Mitsubishi Corporation and others.

Sustainably feeding a ballooning population 
Global meat consumption is estimated to grow 40-70% by 2050, and so cultivated meat offers a solution to reduce the current negative impacts of industrial beef production. 

Although still considered a burgeoning space, investment, development and the volume of businesses adapting to the cultivated agricultural model is constantly growing. 

It’s not just in meat that the cell-based movement is gathering pace, with cell-based fish and seafood also making waves. 

Last week, frozen food giant Nomad Foods linked up with cultured seafood player BlueNalu to zero in on commercial opportunities.

Some analysts have projected the cultivated meat market could reach US$25 billion by

2030, as part of the broader protein transformation.

Cultivated meat and the climate 
A recent independent Life Cycle Analysis study shows that cultivated beef production is projected to reduce climate impact by 92%, air pollution by 93%, use 95% less land and 78% less water than industrial beef production. 

The mantra of cellular agriculture is that consumers will enjoy the qualities of the meat they love, eliminating the need for any major behavioral change. It is considered the hottest food technology around with the most far-reaching global potential.