On October 8 and 9, Protein Port organized a large-scale event at NEMO, fully dedicated to the future of cellular agriculture. The first day marked the official launch of the EU-funded APROVALS project, a collaboration involving 18 partners from 14 EU member states. Companies and experts engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics such as EFSA approval, scaling up, financing, IP strategy, and public acceptance. The event represented an important step toward jointly addressing policy and regulatory challenges across Europe.

The second day focused on strengthening collaboration within the Netherlands. Together with Invest NL and Cellular Agriculture Netherlands (CAN), Protein Port brought together the Dutch cellular agriculture community under the theme “Building the Future of Protein Together,” attracting more than 220 participants. Early insights and the methodology of the APROVALS project were shared to foster engagement and increase impact. Invest NL introduced a new framework on novel food regulations for investors and entrepreneurs, while CAN provided updates on educational and research initiatives.

The event strengthened connections and knowledge exchange within the sector. With the involvement of the APROVALS consortium and participating companies, the gathering also had a strong international dimension, positioning the Netherlands, and the province of South Holland, as a leading force in Europe.