Sempera Organics, a vertically-integrated researcher, grower, and manufacturer of fungi, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Good Machine, a San Francisco-based venture studio, to develop advanced manufacturing technologies focused on scaling up fungi-based food production.
 
As the world population expands, models demonstrate that certain agricultural models or food production methods may not be sustainable.  “To make an impact, we should work towards the creation of climate change resilient food sources and associated technologies,” said Nirmal Nair, founder and CEO of Sempera Organics. “Further, production should be close to consumption anywhere in the world with [capital expenditure], unit economics, and scale to impactfully reduce carbon emissions, land, water, and energy use.”
 
Sempera developed Mamu, its flagship food made from mushrooms, mycelium, and chickpeas, which is seeing traction in the food service industry due to appealing 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.”
 
The need to accelerate the production scale-up is what led to talks with David Solomon, CEO of Good Machine, a venture studio which invents, incubates, and scales solutions with a focus on climate, energy access, and food systems.
 
“Sempera is doing promising work for the planet and its people,” said Solomon. “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. Good Machine works are the intersection of technology, platform development, and taking moonshot ideas into 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 in over 45 countries, and scaled five companies during the first 18 months of the global pandemic.”