Kokomodo is redefining how cacao is made by cultivating real cacao cells in controlled environments, delivering full flavour and enhanced bioactives without deforestation or exploitative labour.
The result is a year-round, ethical and resilient supply of functional cacao ingredients for chocolate, beverages, and nutraceuticals without the land use, pesticides or labour risks of plantation farming.
A Crop Under Pressure
Cacao is one of the world’s most beloved ingredients but also one of the most vulnerable. The impacts of climate change are causing loses in suitable farming areas. Kokomodo began with a simple idea: what if we could grow real cacao, without trees, in a way that’s good for people and the planet?
Using cellular agriculture principles, they cultivate cacao directly from selected plant cells. Their process starts with isolating cells from premium cacao strains from Central and South American plants, selecting for flavour and enhanced natural bioactives, like flavanols, that supports our health.
Once Kokomodo establish cell cultures that are preferable, they upscale the process in bioreactors and harvest the cacao. Overall the cacao require a relatively simple media to grow, containing just vitamins, minerals and growth-promoting factors, making it economical to scale.
EIT Food Backing and Accelerator Success
Kokomodo was established with an initial investment of €691 000 from The Kitchen Foodtech Hub and the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA). As part of the 2024 EIT Food Accelerator Network (FAN), Kokomodo received mentorship, technical validation, and EU funding to advance cell-based cacao platform. The programme allowed them to strengthen their business model, refine their go-to-market strategy, and connect with key partners across the food innovation ecosystem. At the end of the programme, Kokomodo won the EU Tech Validation Award worth €20 000 for its technology.
Kokomodo was selected as one of Israel’s Top 100 Climate Startups (PLANETech, Land Use category) and named a winner at MassChallenge Switzerland 2025.
Kokomodo is one of EIT Food’s RisingFoodStars of 2025 and has continued to benefit from the community: by gaining visibility, networking opportunities, and collaboration pathways with corporates and research partners to explore sustainable and functional ingredient solutions. This has allowed them to keep building momentum towards their next stage of commercialisation.
EIT Food has been a true catalyst in Kokomodo’s journey. Through the FAN accelerator and RisingFoodStars community, we gained not just visibility but real partnerships and momentum to bring our vision of sustainable, functional cacao to life.
Tal Govrin, CEO and Co-Founder of Kokomodo
Fueling the Next Phase of Growth
In 2025, Pluri acquired a 71% stake in Kokomodo for $4.5 million, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey. This strategic investment will accelerate production capabilities, support global expansion, and reinforce Pluri’s commitment to its founding mission.
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