Feeding the planet in 2050 is a race that, along with climate change solutions, mobilizes thousands of researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The projection is that, by 2050, the world population will reach 9.1 billion people, 34% more than today. To feed this larger and more urban population, food production will need to increase by 70%. Solutions for alternative proteins, especially sustainable ones, have surged in recent years, and foodtechs have stood out in this scenario. However, many consumers of animal proteins are still looking for options that do not sacrifice taste, price, or sustainability.
Here at FishCode, we believe that the future of food lies in the oceans and rivers. Despite challenges such as overfishing and contamination by microplastics and heavy metals, aquaculture, diversification in species consumption, and respect for seasonality can have a significant impact. And a Brazilian startup is going further, presenting truly disruptive solutions for fish consumption: Sustineri Piscis.
Sea Bass Without Fishing? Yes, It's Possible!
Imagine being able to eat sea bass every day without any fish being slaughtered. Sounds incredible, right? But there are already sea bass cakes being prepared without a single fish being caught. This revolution is led by Marcelo Szpilman, a marine biologist who made history in Brazil with initiatives focused on the ocean.
Marcelo is a well-known name among researchers, scientists, and chefs, and a reference for us here at FishCode as well. He wrote books that are on our shelves and, most notably, conceived and led AquaRio, the largest aquarium in South America. Marcelo raised no less than R$ 130 million to deliver, in 4 years, a project that receives about 1 million visitors annually and maintains a profitable operation. After more than 14 years as CEO of AquaRio, Marcelo left the position in 2020, but his mission to combine technology and marine conservation did not stop there.
In 2020, he founded Sustineri Piscis, a startup that aims to transform fish consumption worldwide. Using cutting-edge technology, Sustineri cultivates muscle cells from noble fish, such as sea bass, sole, and grouper, producing authentic fish meat without the need for capture, confinement, or slaughter.
Animal Protein via Cell Cultivation: How Does It Work?
Cell cultivation, or "cell-based," consists of reproducing animal proteins by collecting muscle cells from a fish, which are then multiplied in a laboratory. These cells are placed in bioreactors with nutrients, such as amino acids and sugars, which stimulate their multiplication. Thus, Sustineri Piscis can produce genuine fish meat outside the animal organism, without environmental impact and without animal suffering.
Does it still seem difficult to understand? All innovation that changes behavior takes time to be assimilated, but it's something we need to get used to. The development of animal proteins through cell cultivation is booming, with big industry names like Cargill, JBS, and Nestlé vying for leadership in this field. However, Sustineri Piscis stands out for being at the forefront of fish production.
Unprecedented Achievements
Sustineri Piscis has already achieved important milestones:
- 1st phase (8 months): Development of four strains of high commercial value marine fish — sole, sea bass, grouper, and cherne.
- 2nd phase (12 months): Production of the first cell-cultivated sea bass meat in Brazil, generating a sea bass protein mass.
- 3rd phase (12 months): Production of 450 grams of sea bass protein mass, with the natural immortalization of cells, eliminating the need to slaughter fish to continue production — an unprecedented achievement worldwide.
- The proof of concept was successful in a tasting event for lab-grown sea bass cakes.
Additionally, the startup attracted a significant strategic investor, Frescatto, Brazil's largest fish exporter, thereby expanding its laboratory capacity.
Sustineri Piscis has become the only Brazilian startup member of Future Ocean Foods – an organization with 50 pioneering companies in seafood production using technology.
Next Steps: An Investment Opportunity
Sustineri Piscis is ready to take the next big step, and you can be part of this transformation. By opening its investment round to the public, the startup offers a unique chance to become a partner and help shape the future of sustainable food. For more details on the offer and how to participate, check the EqSeed platform link below:
