Zero Acre Farms

About Zero Acre Farms

Zero Acre Farms, a Public Benefit Corporation founded in 2020, is strategically positioned to disrupt the global edible oil market by addressing the significant health and environmental consequences of conventional vegetable oils. The company was co-founded by CEO Jeff Nobbs, a serial entrepreneur with a background in food and technology, and CTO Dr. Stephen Del Cardayre, a biochemist with extensive experience in fermentation and strain engineering. Their venture aims to reverse the negative trends associated with vegetable oils, which constitute a significant portion of daily calories and are linked to chronic diseases and deforestation.

The company's core business revolves around the production and sale of a novel cooking oil, branded as "Cultured Oil," created through a proprietary fermentation process. This process utilizes microbes to convert sugars from crops like sugarcane into a healthy oil, a technique described as similar to brewing beer but for fat. The resulting product is an all-purpose cooking oil distinguished by its high concentration of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats—surpassing even olive oil—and a minimal amount of inflammatory omega-6 linoleic acid. Key features include a high smoke point of up to 485°F and a clean, neutral taste, making it versatile for various culinary applications from deep-frying to salad dressings. This production method boasts a substantially smaller environmental footprint, requiring significantly less land and water compared to traditional vegetable oils like soybean and olive oil.

Zero Acre Farms operates on a direct-to-consumer model, selling its Cultured Oil primarily through its website, with plans to expand into restaurants and packaged foods. The business model involves an initial focus on the premium consumer market, with a long-term strategy to scale production, reduce costs, and eventually compete with commodity vegetable oils on price. The company has secured significant financial backing to execute this vision, raising a total of $37.9 million over several funding rounds. A notable Series A round in February 2022 raised $37 million, co-led by Lowercarbon Capital and Fifty Years, with participation from prominent investors like Virgin Group, Robert Downey Jr.'s FootPrint Coalition Ventures, and restaurant chain Chipotle.