Dive Brief:
- Upside Foods has recently announced a new wave of layoffs as it focuses on scaling and commercializing its operations. The company made adjustments to certain programs and reduced positions to stay agile in the face of challenges in the cultivated meat industry.
- Earlier this year, Upside Foods paused operations at its production plant in Chicago, leading to a previous round of layoffs. The cultivated meat industry has faced obstacles such as regulatory issues and lack of capital, despite officially entering the U.S. market in June 2023.
Dive Insight:
In an email to employees, Upside CEO Uma Valeti revealed that 26 employees would be let go and that the executive and leadership teams would be restructured to streamline operations. The company is focusing on critical milestones and product launches in the next two years.
Upside Foods is expanding production at its California plant, known as “Epic,” by adding larger cultivators to demonstrate scalability while maintaining product quality and safety. The company has sold products at Bar Crenn in San Francisco but faced challenges with its menu placement.
Following layoffs and a pause in operations at its Chicago plant, Upside Foods is now focusing on hybrid products made with cultivated cells and alternative protein sources. Valeti highlighted the industry’s uncertainties and the need for strategic focus and resource allocation.
Despite challenges, Upside Foods remains committed to bringing cultivated meat to the market and hosted a “Freedom of Food” event in Miami to showcase its products. Industry experts emphasize the importance of government investment in research and development for cultivated meat.