Diamond Edge Ventures Invests in Prime Roots, a US Startup that Makes Deli-Style Plant-Based Meats from Koji Mycelium

Diamond Edge Ventures, Inc. (President: Curtis Schickner, hereinafter “DEV”) has invested in Prime Roots (CEO: Kimberlie Le), a US startup that makes deli-style plant-based meats from koji mycelium. DEV invested in the company’s $30M Series B led by True Ventures. Prime Roots is DEV’s second investment in the meat substitute market.
 
Prime Roots – a producer of meat substitutes from koji mycelium – is the first plant-based meat company to offer deli meats that are freshly sliced to order. The company’s proprietary fermentation and food science technology enables it to be the only clean-label, alternative meat company with an identical microscopic texture to meat. Prime Roots products are made without nitrates, preservatives, cholesterol, soy, or wheat and are lower in sodium than leading alternative meat companies. Its products represent over 75% of the deli meat offerings in the market and include black pepper turkey, black forest ham, hickory bacon, salami, and pepperoni.
 
Kimberlie Le, Co-Founder & CEO of Prime Roots, said, “Prime Roots is excited to be one of the premier food innovation investments of Diamond Edge Ventures, a firm also committed to sustainability in food. We are motivated by the opportunities to partner and innovate with DEV to push the forefront of plant-based meats. With DEV’s help, we will continue creating the delicious, nutritious, and sustainable deli products our consumers crave.”
 
Curtis Schickner, President of Diamond Edge Ventures, said, “Prime Roots has developed a sustainable and innovative way to meet the rising global demand for meat while reducing the environmental impact of food production. The company’s koji-based meats offer an economically and environmentally important alternative to traditional meat products. We’re proud to be part of their mission to revolutionize the deli meat industry.”
 
About Diamond Edge Ventures
Diamond Edge Ventures was established in July 2018 as the venture investing arm of Mitsubishi Chemical Group. DEV aims to foster innovation and product development across MCG Group companies through investments and strategic partnerships with high-potential startups. For additional information, visit https://www.diamondedgeventures.com or contact us at info@diamondedge.vc.

About Prime Roots
Founded in 2017, Berkeley-based Prime Roots is a plant-based deli and charcuterie meat company made for all types of eaters. Rooted in koji, Prime Roots can replicate the taste and texture of meat without any environmental costs of animal proteins and processed ingredients typically found in plant-based foods. Prime Roots products are endorsed by some of the best chefs in the world and even won the Food and Wine Magazine Game Changer’s Award. Their work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Food & Wine. Prime Roots is headquartered in Berkeley, CA, and backed by the same investors as Ring and Sweetgreen. For more information, visit www.primeroots.com.