Exhibitor Profile

Maia Farms

Maia Farms is a pioneering company in the production of mushroom mycelium-based ingredients for food manufacturers, with a mission to fundamentally change the protein landscape. Leveraging biomass fermentation technology, Maia Farms transforms agricultural side-streams into high-protein, fibrous food ingredients for diverse applications, including plant-based meats, snacks, and dairy alternatives. Core to their innovation lies in the technical mushroom strain derived from a common edible species that improves taste and texture for both food manufacturers and consumers. Founded in 2021 by Gavin Schneider, Ashton Ostrander, and Sean Lacoursiere, Ph.D., Maia Farms originated as an offshoot of the Deep Space Food Challenge, where it won the Canadian grand prize. Since then, Maia has experienced rapid growth, graduating from the prestigious Creative Destruction Lab in 2023. In May 2024, Maia Farms successfully raised USD 1.7 million in a pre-seed round, which supported their market expansion, process optimization, and fermentation scale-up. They are now preparing to transition to commercial fermentation production by 2025, with a Series A round planned for 2024 to accelerate further growth. Maia Farms has commercialized three key product lines: 1. Dried Textured Mushroom Protein – Four types of textured mushroom protein tailored to replace vegetable protein or extend meat. 2. Dried Mushroom Protein Powder – Available in three particle sizes for diverse uses in baking and dairy. 3. Fresh High-Moisture Mycelium – A high moisture pressed cake format designed for incorporation into endless food products. Maia Farms’ business model focuses primarily on B2B, supplying these mushroom ingredients to food manufacturers for use in pre-made meals or formulations. To maximize impact and generate early revenue, they also operate a direct-to-consumer (D2C) line of pre-packaged blended mushroom proteins and a savoury nourishment bar, available online and ready for use in a variety of recipes. Maia Farms is not only driven by its product offerings but by its ambitious growth strategy. The company plans to deploy over 1 million liters of production capacity across three countries by 2030, scaling its high-yielding and semi-autonomous fermentation methods. These methods are designed to be economically, ecologically, and ethically sound, positioning Maia as a key player in the sustainable food landscape. The global food industry faces a significant challenge—feeding a growing population while minimizing environmental impact. Traditional animal-based proteins are depleting natural resources, and plant-based alternatives have struggled with consumer satisfaction in taste, texture, and price. Maia Farms offers a solution through its mushroom-based ingredients, which are nutrient-dense, climate-smart, and designed to meet evolving consumer preferences. At its core, Maia Farms operates under the values of "We Put Food First" and "We are Planet Forward," embodying a commitment to sustainable, superior protein solutions that nourish life while protecting the planet.