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At the 2024 Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit, bold seafood innovators, stood out as one of the most strategically positioned start-ups, showcasing their proprietary methods of collecting stem cells from fish, without causing them any harm.

Forsea's revolutionary organoid technology allows cells to differentiate and grow autonomously. By harnessing nature’s tissue formation methods, they're producing cultivated seafood very similar to the way nature does it – effectively overcoming major industry challenges.

Led by a team of industry experts and backed by partnerships with renowned food companies, Forsea is transforming the global seafood market, offering a truly sustainable alternative to traditional seafood.

We spoke to Co-Founder and CEO, Roee Nir, who give us some insight behind what they have been up to since their experience exhibiting at the summit in 2024:

Why did you take part in the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit, how did you find it?

The Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit is recognized as the leading food-tech event in the region. We've attended it annually for the past three years to meet our current partners, expand our network, and forge new collaborations. Since Forsea’s first product is freshwater eel (unagi), the Asian market is crucial for us. Asia has the highest demand for fish and seafood, and the need for sustainable solutions is growing rapidly. The summit offers valuable opportunities to engage with key industry players and exchange insights.

What's new with you? Are there new partnerships, products or funding rounds you would like to shout about? Did meetings at the summit kick start any of these?

We’ve made significant progress recently. Forsea achieved record-breaking cell density in bioreactors using our proprietary organoid technology, a major step toward price parity with conventional seafood. We also showcased our cultured unagi in Japan for the first time, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. A nationwide consumer survey confirmed high openness to cultured eel. We hosted the world’s first private tasting of cultured unagi at Future Food-Tech San Francisco. Several ongoing discussions with investors and partners were initiated through meetings at this summit.

What excites you about the future of agri-food supply chains in APAC? Have you seen a new technology you are particularly excited about, and do you have any predictions for the future?

APAC is rapidly embracing sustainable food innovation, and we believe cultured seafood will play a central role in the region’s food systems. We expect it to evolve from a premium niche to a mainstream product in the coming years. We're especially excited by the progress in reducing media costs, improving process efficiency, and delivering delicious, sustainable food. The pace of innovation in APAC gives us great confidence in the region’s leadership in agri-food transformation.

What advice do you have for other start-ups?

Focus on solving real problems that create meaningful value. Stay close to your target customers—our recent insights from Japan shaped our product and commercial plans.  Build the right team without compromise—your people are everything and they will lead the company to success. Choose investors who genuinely believe in your mission and can support you through the ups and downs. This journey is long and challenging, and you’ll need the right partners beside you. And above all— believe, love and enjoy of what you’re doing!

Are you a game-changing agri-food startup with a story to tell? Apply now to be a Featured Startup in this year’s campaign and showcase your innovation to the region’s top investors, corporates, and collaborators. Your story could be next.