Upside Foods, formerly known as Memphis Meats, is a food technology company founded in 2015 by Uma Valeti, Nicholas Genovese, and Will Clem. Headquartered in Berkeley, California, the company's core mission is to produce sustainable cultured meat directly from animal cells, aiming to revolutionize the meat industry with environmentally friendly and ethically produced alternatives. Upside Foods focuses on creating delicious, high-quality meat products without the need for traditional animal farming, targeting consumers who seek sustainable and humane food options.
Notable figures associated with Upside Foods include co-founder and CEO Uma Valeti, a former cardiologist and professor at the University of Minnesota. The company has attracted significant investment from prominent backers such as Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and major food corporations like Tyson Foods. Key achievements include being one of the first companies to bring lab-grown meat to the forefront of the food industry, gaining regulatory approval from the USDA and FDA. Upside Foods has made a substantial impact by advancing food technology and promoting sustainable practices in meat production.