Eat Just Inc. has linked up with Doha Venture Capital (DVC) and Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) to build the first meat facility in the Middle East and Northern Africa regions.
The first-of-its-kind facility will be in the Umm Alhoul Free Zone, one of two free zones overseen and regulated by QFZA, with direct access to Hamad Port, according to Business Wire.
“Our team is grateful to take the next step in our global expansion in the Qatar Free Zones," Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just, told Business Wire. "Their commitment to accelerating our work in building a more sustainable food system was apparent from day one of our dialogue – and we're expecting to look back decades from now on this partnership with them as key to how we made that vision a reality."
According to Business Wire, the facility will house Eat Just's GOOD Meat Division, which created the first meat made from animal cells rather than actual livestock. Eat Just plans to add a protein processing facility for JUST Egg, the company’s plant-based egg division.
“Eat Just is a highly innovative company with a bright future, and we’re pleased to be one of the investors in the company and welcome them to Qatar Free Zones," DVC CEO Mohammed Al Abdulla said, according to Business Wire. "This partnership is a prime example of our commitment to supporting high-growth disruptors as they develop technologies that will change the world, while helping them take advantage of the many opportunities here in Qatar and across the region."
The investment was DVC’s first in protein innovation, and the meat facility will be a first for QFZA, Business Wire said.
“At QFZA, we help companies cut through the noise to rapidly establish and grow efficient operations, using Qatar’s unparalleled connectivity and access to expand worldwide," Lim Meng Hui, CEO of QFZA told Business Wire. "We’re particularly focused on companies shaping the future of their industries, and Eat Just’s team is doing just that. Our free zones are characterized by innovation, technology, accelerated growth and environmental awareness, and Eat Just is a natural partner across all four of these areas. Our food, agritech and biomedical sectors continue to grow rapidly, supported by the world-leading cold chain storage capabilities of our airport and port, and we look forward to working with Eat Just as they establish and scale in the region and worldwide."
Headquartered in San Francisco, Eat Just has received recognition from Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies,” Entrepreneur’s “100 Brilliant Companies,” CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.