Celleste

Celleste Bio is focused on producing high quality and high value cocoa ingredients using cell culture methods, eliminating the dependence on cultivation of cocoa trees. The company will make cocoa ingredients from naturally occurring cocoa cells without genetic modification or manipulation. Celleste was founded by four entrepreneurs bringing a wealth of interdisciplinary experience in the agrifood sector, specifically in the cellular biology field. The cultivation of cocoa worldwide has sustainability challenges, including risks of deforestation and biodiversity loss, threats of unreliable production due to climate change, child labor issues, and higher carbon emissions than other food sources. New technologies that enable the production of cocoa ingredients without these risks can help ensure a more sustainable supply of cocoa ingredients while appealing to consumers’ increasing demand for more environmentally friendly food choices.