Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
New Culture is a technology company.
New Culture develops animal-free dairy products, beginning with mozzarella cheese that authentically replicates the stretch, melt, and taste of conventional dairy. The company utilizes precision fermentation to produce real dairy proteins, combining this innovative food science with traditional cheesemaking methods to achieve superior product functionality and sensory attributes. Their approach aims to deliver a versatile and environmentally conscious alternative to animal-derived cheese.
The company was co-founded by Matt Gibson and Inja Radman, driven by the insight that a sustainable food system necessitates transforming dairy production. Their work stems from a commitment to developing dairy solutions that are kinder to animals, beneficial for the planet, and supportive of human health. This vision positions New Culture at the forefront of creating animal-free dairy options.
New Culture currently targets the foodservice industry, specifically pizzerias, with its mozzarella, delivering a product that performs exceptionally well on pizzas. The company’s long-term vision is to lead the global shift towards an animal-free dairy future, demonstrating that any type of cheese can be produced without animal inputs, thus transforming the food system for a healthier planet.
New Culture has raised $29.2M across 3 funding rounds.
New Culture has raised $29.2M in total across 3 funding rounds.
New Culture has raised $29.2M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series A in November 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2021 | $25M Series A | Ahren Innovation Capital, CPT Capital | Andreessen Horowitz, Audrey Capital, BASF Venture Capital, Comcast Ventures, Cross Culture Ventures, DFJ Growth, Future Ventures, General Catalyst, Heavybit, LGF, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Pillar VC, Pitango Venture Capital, Susa Ventures, Symbolic Capital, Thrive Capital, What IF Ventures, Adrian Aoun, Akshay Sriprasad, Alice Zhang, Troy Carter, ADM Ventures, BE8 Ventures, BEE Partners, Bluestein Ventures, Steve Sanger, Marinya Capital, Mayfield, S2G Ventures, SOSV | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2019 | $4M Seed | Steve Sanger | Alumni Ventures, BEE Partners, Boost VC, CPT Capital, Mayfield, SOSV | Announced |
| May 1, 2019 | $200K Pre Seed | IndieBio | — | Announced |
# New Culture: Animal-Free Dairy Pioneer
New Culture is a food technology company, not a traditional technology firm—it applies precision fermentation technology to create animal-free dairy products.[1] The company's mission centers on transforming the dairy industry by producing sustainable, cruelty-free alternatives that match conventional dairy in taste, texture, and performance.[1][3] Their flagship product is animal-free mozzarella cheese designed specifically for pizzerias, with plans to expand into additional dairy categories.[1] The company currently operates with fewer than 25 employees and has raised $28.5 million across three funding rounds, positioning itself at the intersection of food science, sustainability, and alternative protein innovation.[3]
New Culture addresses a critical market problem: conventional dairy production carries significant environmental costs and ethical concerns around animal welfare. By leveraging precision fermentation—a biotechnology process that uses microorganisms to produce dairy proteins without animals—the company delivers products that are functionally indistinguishable from conventional dairy while eliminating these drawbacks.[1][3]
New Culture operates within the alternative protein and food technology sector, riding the convergence of three powerful trends: growing consumer demand for sustainable food, regulatory pressure on industrial agriculture, and advances in biotechnology that make precision fermentation economically viable. The timing is critical—as conventional dairy faces scrutiny over environmental impact and animal welfare, food technology companies with proven products gain leverage with both foodservice operators and investors seeking exposure to the protein transition.
The company's success influences the broader ecosystem by validating precision fermentation as a viable manufacturing approach for commodity food products. If New Culture achieves cost parity and scale with conventional mozzarella, it signals to investors and competitors that biotechnology can solve real food system problems, potentially unlocking capital for similar ventures in butter, milk, and other dairy categories.
New Culture's path forward depends on three critical milestones: achieving production scale that supports widespread pizzeria adoption, securing regulatory approvals in international markets, and reaching cost competitiveness with conventional dairy.[1] The company's current U.S. focus on foodservice provides a controlled environment to refine manufacturing and build brand credibility before pursuing global expansion and retail channels.[1]
The broader alternative dairy market is consolidating around companies with differentiated technology rather than incremental improvements. New Culture's precision fermentation approach—distinct from plant-based alternatives—positions it to capture a specific market segment: operators and consumers who demand authentic dairy performance without compromise. As environmental regulations tighten and supply chain resilience becomes a competitive advantage, companies that can deliver conventional products through sustainable means will increasingly influence how the food industry operates.
New Culture has raised $29.2M in total across 3 funding rounds.
New Culture's investors include Ahren Innovation Capital, CPT Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Audrey Capital, BASF Venture Capital, Comcast Ventures, Cross Culture Ventures, DFJ Growth, Future Ventures, General Catalyst, Heavybit, LGF.