(Thanksgiving Replay) Meat the Future: How Paul Shapiro is Brewing Superfoods at Better Meat Co.

Written By Lizette Couto

In this Thanksgiving replay, we revisit our conversation with Paul Shapiro, co-founder and CEO of Better Meat Co, who's pioneering the use of mycelium-based proteins as a sustainable alternative to animal meat. Paul shares his remarkable journey from starting an animal welfare organization in high school to becoming a biotech entrepreneur. He explains how fungi fermentation creates protein-rich, meat-like textures in less than 24 hours without the environmental toll of traditional agriculture. The episode explores the science behind mycoprotein, the challenges facing the alternative protein industry, the need for government investment in biomanufacturing, and why fungi may be the key to feeding both Earth and future space travelers. Paul also discusses Better Meat Co's recent $31 million Series A funding and their mission to make sustainable protein accessible at scale.

Chapters:

  • (00:00:00) - Could Fungi Replace Factory Farms Forever?

  • (00:01:00) - Welcome: TEDx MIT, Planetary Action & What's Growing

  • (00:03:00) - Intelligence Beyond Brains: Reflecting on Michael Levin

  • (00:06:00) - Thanksgiving Special: Gratitude for the Biotech Community

  • (00:10:00) - Meet Paul Shapiro: From Activist to Mycoprotein Pioneer

  • (00:13:00) - Origin Story: Fighting for Animals Led to Building Better Meat

  • (00:19:00) - Alt Protein 2.0: What's Changed Since the 2018 Hype Cycle

  • (00:24:00) - The Subsidy Problem: Why Meat Gets Billions & Clean Protein Gets Nothing

  • (00:31:00) - Mycoprotein 101: Why Fungi Beat Plants for Meat Texture

  • (00:38:00) - Engineering Neurospora: 24-Hour Fermentation at Scale

  • (00:43:00) - Designing Super Strains: Breeding Microbes for Performance

  • (00:48:00) - Creating Craveable Protein: Flavor Science & B2B Strategy

  • (00:51:00) - Space Food Systems: Why Astronauts Will Farm Fungi, Not Cows

  • (00:56:00) - Biomanufacturing Infrastructure: The $31M Series A Story

  • (01:00:00) - Industry Reality Check: Cultivated Meat's Path Forward

  • (01:03:00) - Beyond Food: Mycoremediation & Paul's Business for Good Podcast

  • (01:05:00) - Closing Thoughts: Solving the Flavor Challenge & Scaling Impact

Lizette Couto
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