Vow, a cultivated meat start-up based in Sydney, has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, laying off 25 employees – approximately one-third of its staff – as it seeks new funding to extend its operational runway into 2027.

This move comes amid ongoing challenges in the cultivated meat sector, where companies must navigate complex regulatory landscapes and an increasingly tight investment climate.

Vow was established in 2019 by Tim Noakesmith, a former design lead at Cochlear, alongside George Peppou. The company specialises in the production of lab-grown meat derived from the cells of over 50 different animal species, such as water buffalo, alpaca, kangaroo and various fish.

According to Startup Daily, which first reported the news, CEO George Peppou characterised the layoffs as a “painful but necessary decision,” noting that they reflect the strategic needs of the company rather than the performance of those affected.

“This process is not a reflection on our departing team members but rather on what Vow needs to achieve in the next two years,” he continued.

Despite its expanding international presence, Vow has yet to secure regulatory approval to sell its products in Australia. The company submitted its application to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in 2023, but the regulatory review has encountered delays, with a second round of public consultation initiated in late 2024.

Approval for its cultivated quail cells as a food ingredient would be a crucial milestone for Vow, yet the lengthy approval process underscores the challenges faced by cultivated meat producers.

Peppou noted that the rigorous nature of the regulatory process is designed to ensure food safety and oversight in this emerging category. “Given the complexity and novelty of the regulatory process for cultured meat, it has taken far longer than initially expected to secure regulatory approval in the markets which Vow has targeted,” he explained.

Vow has gained attention for its innovative lab-grown meat products derived from the cells of over 50 animal species. These include the notable 'woolly mammoth meatball' and more recent offerings like Forged Gras, a cultivated alternative to foie gras, and Forged Parfait, a quail-based dish.

In November 2022, the company raised an impressive $49.2 million in a Series A funding round that it says marked a record for the cell-based meat industry.

In 2024, Vow made strides in international markets, receiving regulatory approval to launch its cultivated quail product in Singapore, becoming one of the few companies globally to gain such clearance. However, scaling production and expanding market access remain significant hurdles.

Out of over 200 companies in the cultivated meat sector, only three have received regulatory approvals to market their products.

The recent layoffs are part of Vow’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on market entry. Peppou acknowledged the contributions of the departing employees and reiterated that the decision was financially motivated.

“To continue to grow and thrive, we must get leaner and focus our entire efforts on activities that put our products into more markets,” he commented.

Despite these challenges, Vow retains the backing of key investors, including Blackbird Ventures, which expressed confidence in the company's long-term vision.

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