MeliBio

Berkeley, CA Food & Beverage Acquired

MeliBio is a California-based pioneer in bee-free honey technology using precision fermentation to create a honey alternative molecularly identical to traditional honey without requiring honeybees. The company addresses food security and supply chain challenges affecting commercial honey production.

Acquired

MeliBio has been acquired

Acquired by FoodYoung Labs May 27, 2025

This company is no longer available on our private secondary market.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2020

Total Funding

$7.2M

3 rounds

Funding

Total raised $7.2M across 3 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Pre-Series A

Date

January 2024

Amount

Not disclosed

Valuation

Lead Investors

Not disclosed
DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
January 2024 Pre-Series A Not disclosed Not disclosed
March 2022 Seed $5.7M Astanor Ventures
2020 Pre-Seed $1.5M Not disclosed

Leadership

  • Darko Mandich

    Co-Founder & CEO

  • Dr. Aaron Schaller

    Co-Founder & CTO

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Nectar (Gaffney Foods)

    Vegan honey alternative competitor in the plant-based honey market

  • Fooditive

    Netherlands-based company developing precision fermentation-derived honey alternative

  • Honea (Plant Based Artisan)

    Plant-based honey alternative competitor

  • Sweet Freedom

    Plant-based sweetener and honey alternative producer

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Data collected with AI, which can make mistakes. Please double-check this information.