Startup · $50.1m raised
Deep tech startup using hyper-fermentation to produce proteins, materials and chemicals with lower environmental impact.
Orange, NSW
Every investor coverage indicates participated in a round Cauldron Ferm raised.
| Investor | Rounds | Invested |
|---|---|---|
| federal department of industry | Grant | - |
| Horizons Ventures | Series A · Series A | - |
| Industry Growth Program | Grant · Grant | $4,300,000 |
| Main Sequence Ventures | Series A · Series A | - |
| NGS | Series A | - |
| Queensland | Grant | - |
| Queensland Government | Grant | - |
| SOSV | Series A | - |
Companies Cauldron Ferm acquired or merged with, per published coverage. Buying a company is not investing in one: nothing here counts in the deals column.
| Name | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Morle | Partner | Startup Daily |
| Michele Stansfield | CEO (former) · Founder | Forbes Australia, Startup Daily (5 Aug 2026), Startup Daily (25 Mar 2026), Startup Daily (8 Oct 2025), SmartCompany |
| Jacqui Wilkinson | Operations Manager | Startup Daily |
| Dr David Weiner | Chief Technology Officer | Startup Daily |
| David Kestenbaum | Founder | Startup Daily (5 Aug 2026), Startup Daily (25 Mar 2026), Startup Daily (8 Oct 2025), SmartCompany |
Stories naming Cauldron Ferm. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.
Eight Australian companies make Forbes Asia's annual 100 To Watch list; the piece profiles each and recaps recent raises across climate tech, health and software.
AgFunderNews roundup of agrifood deal news: eleven startup funding rounds, Generate Capital selling Equinox Growers, executive appointments including a new FFAR board member, and other industry items.
Also Startup Daily·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·Forbes Australia
Biomanufacturer Cauldron Ferm has banked a $19 million Series A2, led by Main Sequence with Horizons, SOSV and NGS Super aboard, adding to an earlier $9.5 million round and a $4.3 million federal grant.
Also Startup Daily
Precision fermentation company Cauldron Ferm wins the regional startup category at Startup Daily's tech awards for the second straight year; the profile recalls its Series A, government grants and Mackay biomanufacturing plant.
Also Startup Daily
Weekly agrifoodtech roundup covering startup funding rounds, two venture fund closes, executive appointments, and new products such as a disease-resistant banana and 3D-printed protein.
Ed Husic named the first Industry Growth Program grant recipients, with biomanufacturing startup Cauldron Ferm receiving $4.3 million and four other startups funded for drone batteries, radiation monitoring, anti-phishing and berry-picking robotics.