Biomush

Biomush, formerly known as Nordic Umami Company, is a Finnish food-tech firm tackling the dual challenges of food waste and the demand for natural flavor enhancers. Founded in 2021 by Outi Mäkinen and Reetta Andolin in Espoo, Finland, the company initially produced ready-to-use umami sauces. Recognizing a larger market opportunity, the business pivoted to a B2B model, focusing on creating umami-rich ingredients for the food industry. The founding inspiration came from a desire to improve the flavor of plant-based foods without artificial additives, leading to early fermentation experiments.

The company operates in the food technology and clean technology sectors, serving industrial food producers. Its business model centers on providing a proprietary solid-state fermentation technology that upcycles food industry side streams—such as those from grains and legumes—into valuable, clean-label umami flavoring solutions. This process is designed to be integrated directly into a client's production facility via a specialized bioreactor. This on-site model eliminates the need for clients to transport by-products, allowing for customized flavor profiles based on their specific side streams and reducing capital investment. Revenue is generated by providing this technology-as-a-service to industrial partners.

Biomush's core product is a natural umami ingredient that is soy-free and gluten-free. It offers an alternative to conventional flavor enhancers like MSG or yeast extracts. The solid-state fermentation process, which utilizes fungi, is noted for its efficiency, using minimal water and energy. In October 2024, the company unveiled its first demo-sized bioreactor, signaling its readiness for industrial-scale deployment. The company has raised a total of $3.08 million in funding and is backed by investors including Nordic Foodtech VC, Vaens, and Holdix Oy Ab. Headed by CEO Kaisa Karhunen, a veteran of the food industry, the team includes experts in microbiology, biotechnology, and food science from institutions like VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

Keywords: food-tech, fermentation technology, umami ingredients, circular economy, food waste valorization, upcycled ingredients, sustainable food production, clean-label solutions, B2B ingredients, solid-state fermentation, side stream upcycling, natural flavors, bioreactor technology, sustainable food systems, plant-based flavor, food industry solutions, Finnish startup, agritech, biotechnology, closed-loop system