Wanda Fish to advance cultivated bluefin tuna production

Added on 11 October 2023

Tags

Wanda Fish to advance cultivated bluefin tuna production

Wanda Fish Technologies has raised $7 million in seed funding from Netherlands-based Aqua-Spark. The funding aims to accelerate the production of cultivated bluefin tuna filets that replicate the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of wild-caught bluefin tuna. The cultivated bluefin tuna is free from common ocean pollutants like mercury and adheres to non-GMO standards. Overfishing has pushed bluefin tuna to the brink of endangerment, intensifying the need for sustainable alternatives. Wanda Fish’s proprietary technique allows precise control of fat levels, enabling a diverse range of filet cuts, including the premium Toro cut.

Wanda Fish Technologies, an Israel-based FoodTech startup, announced on October 9, 2023, that it has secured $7 million in seed funding. The investment round was led by Aqua-Spark, a global aquaculture investment fund based in the Netherlands. Additional investors include The Kitchen Hub, Peregrine Ventures, PICO Venture Partners, MOREVC, and CPT Capital. This brings Wanda Fish’s total funding to $10 million since its inception in 2021.

The Mission

Founded by The Kitchen Hub and Daphna Heffetz, a leading figure in biotechnology-based innovation, Wanda Fish aims to produce premium quality, cultivated fish outside the ocean. The new capital will accelerate the creation and scaling of cultivated whole-cut filets of bluefin tuna. These filets are designed to replicate the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of wild-caught bluefin tuna, including essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.

The Technology

Wanda Fish’s cultivated bluefin tuna is produced under non-GMO standards and is free from common ocean pollutants like mercury. The company has developed a proprietary technique allowing precise control over fat levels in the end products. This enables the creation of a diverse range of filet cuts, including the highly sought-after Toro premium cut.