# Motif FoodWorks

Precision fermentation food ingredient startup (Boston, founded 2018) — heme and texture proteins via microbial fermentation; ceased operations 2024 after IP litigation with Impossible Foods.

Source: https://en.bioecon.ru/companies/motif-foodworks/
Updated: 2026-06-19

- Country: United States
- Revenue: ~$5M
- Employees: ~50 emp

## Verifiable facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Funding | $345 million cumulative raised, including $226 million Series B in 2021 | https://agfundernews.com/exclusive-boston-based-foodtech-startup-motif-foodworks-is-closing-down, https://www.edibleplanetventures.com/post/the-rise-and-fall-of-motif-foodworks-how-a-promising-foodtech-startup-was-brought-down-by-legal-bat, https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/motif-foodworks-shuts-down-impossible-foods-lawsuit-hemami/ |
| Capacity | 65,000 square foot market development and research center in Northborough, MA, featuring three pilot plants for fermentation, ingredient, and finished-product production | https://www.fooddive.com/news/motif-foodworks-launches-heme-ingredient-and-announces-new-production-facil/611230/, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motif-foodworks-announces-the-commercial-launch-of-hemami-food-tech-earns-generally-recognized-as-safe-gras-status-from-fda-301439781.html |
| Regulatory approval | HEMAMI received FDA 'no questions' letter for Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in December 2021 | https://www.fooddive.com/news/motif-foodworks-launches-heme-ingredient-and-announces-new-production-facil/611230/, https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/12/08/Motif-FoodWorks-launches-HEMAMI-heme-binding-protein-delivering-the-flavor-and-aroma-of-real-meat-receives-GRAS-no-questions-letter-from-FDA/, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motif-foodworks-announces-the-commercial-launch-of-hemami-food-tech-earns-generally-recognized-as-safe-gras-status-from-fda-301439781.html |
| Production site | Boston headquarters and Northborough, MA research center (closed/ceased operations 2024) | https://www.fooddive.com/news/motif-foodworks-launches-heme-ingredient-and-announces-new-production-facil/611230/, https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/motif-foodworks-shuts-down-impossible-foods-lawsuit-hemami/, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motif-foodworks-announces-the-commercial-launch-of-hemami-food-tech-earns-generally-recognized-as-safe-gras-status-from-fda-301439781.html |
| Headcount | Peak of over 70 employees; less than 20 at time of closure in 2024 | https://agfundernews.com/exclusive-boston-based-foodtech-startup-motif-foodworks-is-closing-down, https://www.edibleplanetventures.com/post/the-rise-and-fall-of-motif-foodworks-how-a-promising-foodtech-startup-was-brought-down-by-legal-bat, https://www.fooddive.com/news/motif-foodworks-launches-heme-ingredient-and-announces-new-production-facil/611230/, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motif-foodworks-announces-the-commercial-launch-of-hemami-food-tech-earns-generally-recognized-as-safe-gras-status-from-fda-301439781.html |
| Revenue | Generated some revenue from commercializing products and bioprocessing services, but company ceased operations in 2024 [medium confidence] | https://agfundernews.com/exclusive-boston-based-foodtech-startup-motif-foodworks-is-closing-down, https://www.foodprocessing.com/business-of-food-beverage/news/55138810/motif-foodworks-closing-after-settlement-with-impossible-foods |

Independent sources: agfundernews.com, edibleplanetventures.com, fooddive.com, foodnavigator.com, foodprocessing.com, greenqueen.com.hk, prnewswire.com

## Technologies

- [Precision fermentation](https://en.bioecon.ru/technology/precision-fermentation/)