Plant cell culture · West Sacramento, California, USA
California Cultured
Cell-cultured cocoa (and coffee) · cacultured.com ↗
Grows cocoa from plant cells in fermentation tanks, as a climate-proof alternative to conventional cocoa farming.
Stage
Regulatory review (step 3 of 6)
Has self-affirmed GRAS and also filed a formal GRAS notice with the FDA. It targets a US launch of cell-based cocoa powder later in 2026, starting with baked goods, drinks, coatings and snacks. Investor Puratos plans to offer a cell-based chocolate to its customers.[1]
Revenue
Pre-revenue
As of Nov 2026 no source confirms commercial sales. It was raising a Series A3 to fund scale-up and first launches (Mar 2026).[1]
Next FDA response to its GRAS notice; first US cocoa powder sales.
Agronomics' holding
- Fair value
- £3.49m 30 Jun 2026
- Portfolio weight
- 3% 30 Jun 2026
- Stake
- 7.8% 30 Jun 2026
- Invested
- £1.61m since Oct 2021
- Multiple
- 2.17× +£1.88m
- Per year
- +17.9% all holdings
- Last round
- Seed 10 Oct 2024 · 2.1 years ago
Sources[2]
Approvals & markets
-
Pending
USA · Mar 2026[1]
Self-affirmed GRAS for cocoa powder; formal FDA GRAS notice filed
- HQ
- United States
- Selling in
- —
Timeline
-
GRAS filing; US launch targeted for 2026[1]
About US$15.9m raised to date. Puratos (an investor through Sparkalis) plans a cell-based chocolate product for its customers.
Sources
- California Cultured Targets 2026 Launch of Cell-Based Cocoa Powder After US GRAS Filing Green Queen · 27 Mar 2026
- Q2 2026 Investor Report (portfolio at 30 June 2026) Agronomics Limited · 21 Aug 2026
- Agronomics leads investment in California Cultured Agronomics Limited (RNS) · 20 Oct 2021
- Annual Report 2022: year to 30 June 2022 Agronomics Limited · 20 Dec 2022
- California company working on the future of chocolate CBS Sacramento