Meati Foods vs Duckie

About

Meati Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based alternative protein company founded in 2016 by Tyler Huggins and Justin Whiteley. The company ferments mycelium — the root-like structure of mushrooms — to produce whole-cut meat alternatives including steaks, cutlets, and carne asada, differentiating from soy- and pea-protein products with a whole-food, minimally processed nutritional profile rich in protein, fiber, and zinc.\n\nMeati raised $483 million across eleven funding rounds, including a $222 million Series C in April 2024. The company operates what it calls the Mega Ranch — a large-scale fermentation facility in Boulder. In May 2025, Meati was acquired, marking a new chapter for the brand under new ownership. Revenue remained in early-stage territory at approximately $2.7 million in 2024 as the company prioritized production scale-up over immediate top-line growth.\n\nMeati's products are sold through Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and other natural channel retailers, as well as direct-to-consumer online. The brand positions itself on nutritional density and sustainability, highlighting that mycelium grows in 8 hours, requires minimal land and water, and produces zero animal byproducts. Its whole-cut format addresses one of the biggest gaps in the alt-protein market, where most alternatives are ground or formed products.