Pluri Completes Strategic Acquisition of Leading Cultivated Cacao AgFoodTech Company, Kokomodo Ltd.
Pluri Inc. (PLUR) has completed the acquisition of approximately 71% stake in Kokomodo , a cultivated cacao AgFoodTech company, for $4.5 million paid in 976,139 Common Shares. The strategic acquisition combines Pluri's mass-scale cell production expertise with Kokomodo's cellular agriculture technology for creating climate-resilient cacao.
Kokomodo will continue operating independently as a Pluri subsidiary, maintaining its mission, team, and brand identity under CEO Tal Govrin's leadership. The acquisition aims to accelerate Kokomodo's production capabilities and global expansion while addressing sustainability challenges in the cacao industry.
The global cacao market, valued at $13.5 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% to reach $23.5 billion by 2030.
Pluri Inc. (PLUR) ha completato l'acquisizione di circa il 71% delle quote di Kokomodo, un'azienda AgFoodTech specializzata nella coltivazione cellulare del cacao, per un importo di 4,5 milioni di dollari pagati tramite 976.139 azioni ordinarie. Questa acquisizione strategica unisce l'esperienza di Pluri nella produzione cellulare su larga scala con la tecnologia di agricoltura cellulare di Kokomodo per creare cacao resistente ai cambiamenti climatici.
Kokomodo continuerà a operare in modo indipendente come controllata di Pluri, mantenendo la propria missione, il team e l'identità del marchio sotto la guida dell'amministratore delegato Tal Govrin. L'acquisizione mira ad accelerare le capacità produttive di Kokomodo e l'espansione globale, affrontando al contempo le sfide di sostenibilità nel settore del cacao.
Il mercato globale del cacao, valutato 13,5 miliardi di dollari nel 2023, è previsto in crescita con un tasso annuo composto (CAGR) dell'8,2% fino a raggiungere i 23,5 miliardi di dollari entro il 2030.
Pluri Inc. (PLUR) ha completado la adquisición de aproximadamente el 71% de participación en Kokomodo, una empresa AgFoodTech de cacao cultivado, por 4,5 millones de dólares pagados en 976,139 acciones comunes. Esta adquisición estratégica combina la experiencia de Pluri en producción celular a gran escala con la tecnología de agricultura celular de Kokomodo para crear cacao resistente al clima.
Kokomodo continuará operando de forma independiente como subsidiaria de Pluri, manteniendo su misión, equipo e identidad de marca bajo el liderazgo del CEO Tal Govrin. La adquisición tiene como objetivo acelerar las capacidades de producción de Kokomodo y su expansión global, mientras aborda los desafíos de sostenibilidad en la industria del cacao.
El mercado global del cacao, valorado en 13,5 mil millones de dólares en 2023, se proyecta que crezca a una tasa compuesta anual (CAGR) del 8,2% para alcanzar los 23,5 mil millones de dólares en 2030.
Pluri Inc. (PLUR)는 배양 카카오 AgFoodTech 기업인 Kokomodo의 약 71% 지분을 976,139 보통주로 지급된 450만 달러에 인수 완료했습니다. 이번 전략적 인수는 Pluri의 대량 세포 생산 전문성과 Kokomodo의 세포 농업 기술을 결합하여 기후 변화에 강한 카카오를 생산하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
Kokomodo는 Pluri의 자회사로서 독립적으로 운영되며, CEO Tal Govrin의 리더십 아래 미션, 팀, 브랜드 정체성을 유지할 예정입니다. 이번 인수는 Kokomodo의 생산 능력과 글로벌 확장을 가속화하고 카카오 산업의 지속 가능성 문제를 해결하는 데 중점을 둡니다.
2023년 기준 135억 달러 규모의 글로벌 카카오 시장은 연평균 성장률(CAGR) 8.2%로 성장하여 2030년에는 235억 달러에 이를 것으로 예상됩니다.
Pluri Inc. (PLUR) a finalisé l'acquisition d'environ 71% des parts de Kokomodo, une entreprise AgFoodTech spécialisée dans la culture cellulaire du cacao, pour 4,5 millions de dollars payés en 976 139 actions ordinaires. Cette acquisition stratégique combine l'expertise de Pluri en production cellulaire à grande échelle avec la technologie d'agriculture cellulaire de Kokomodo pour créer un cacao résistant au changement climatique.
Kokomodo continuera d'opérer de manière indépendante en tant que filiale de Pluri, en conservant sa mission, son équipe et son identité de marque sous la direction du PDG Tal Govrin. L'acquisition vise à accélérer les capacités de production de Kokomodo et son expansion mondiale tout en relevant les défis de durabilité dans l'industrie du cacao.
Le marché mondial du cacao, évalué à 13,5 milliards de dollars en 2023, devrait croître à un taux de croissance annuel composé (CAGR) de 8,2% pour atteindre 23,5 milliards de dollars d'ici 2030.
Pluri Inc. (PLUR) hat den Erwerb von etwa 71% der Anteile an Kokomodo, einem AgFoodTech-Unternehmen für kultivierten Kakao, für 4,5 Millionen US-Dollar in Form von 976.139 Stammaktien abgeschlossen. Die strategische Übernahme vereint Pluris Expertise in der Massenproduktion von Zellen mit Kokomodos Zelllandwirtschaftstechnologie zur Herstellung klimaresistenter Kakao.
Kokomodo wird weiterhin unabhängig als Tochtergesellschaft von Pluri operieren und dabei seine Mission, das Team und die Markenidentität unter der Leitung von CEO Tal Govrin beibehalten. Ziel der Übernahme ist es, Kokomodos Produktionskapazitäten und globale Expansion zu beschleunigen sowie Nachhaltigkeitsherausforderungen in der Kakaoindustrie zu adressieren.
Der globale Kakaomarkt, der 2023 mit 13,5 Milliarden US-Dollar bewertet wurde, soll mit einer jährlichen Wachstumsrate (CAGR) von 8,2% auf 23,5 Milliarden US-Dollar bis 2030 wachsen.
- Strategic acquisition provides entry into $13.5B cacao market with 8.2% CAGR
- All-stock transaction preserves cash resources
- Synergy between Pluri's mass-scale cell production and Kokomodo's cacao technology
- Maintains Kokomodo's operational independence while leveraging Pluri's resources
- Share issuance of 976,139 common shares causing dilution
- Integration risks between different technological platforms
- Early-stage investment in emerging cellular agriculture technology
Insights
Pluri's acquisition of Kokomodo combines cell production technology with cultivated cacao expertise, targeting the growing $13.5B global cacao market.
This strategic acquisition represents Pluri's expansion into the AgFoodTech sector by acquiring approximately 71% of Kokomodo for
The deal's structure maintains Kokomodo's operational independence as a Pluri subsidiary, preserving its innovation capabilities under CEO Tal Govrin's continued leadership while providing access to Pluri's extensive cell production resources and expertise.
This combination addresses critical challenges in traditional cacao farming, particularly climate vulnerability and production consistency. Cultivated cacao using cellular agriculture technology offers a potentially more sustainable, controlled alternative with enhanced climate resilience.
According to Grand View Research data cited in the announcement, this positions Pluri to participate in a substantial market opportunity, with the global cacao market valued at
Pluri's $4.5M share-based acquisition of Kokomodo represents strategic entry into cultivated cacao with minimal cash impact.
This acquisition demonstrates calculated financial strategy through its all-stock transaction structure. By using 976,139 shares valued at
For a company with Pluri's market capitalization of
The transaction provides Pluri entry into the substantial global cacao market, which according to the cited Grand View Research data is projected to grow from
While the announcement doesn't provide specific financial projections for Kokomodo, the acquisition diversifies Pluri's application portfolio beyond its existing biotechnology ventures into AgFoodTech, potentially creating new revenue streams in a growing market concerned with sustainability and climate resilience.
- Acquisition of approximately
71% stake in Kokomodo Ltd. - Acquisition uniquely combines Pluri's mass-scale cell production expertise with Kokomodo Ltd.’s ability to craft real, controlled, climate-resilient cacao using cellular agriculture technology
HAIFA, Israel, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pluri Inc. (Nasdaq: PLUR) (TASE: PLUR) (“Pluri” or the “Company”), a leading biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary platform for cell-based solutions to create a collaborative network of ventures, today announced the completion of the acquisition of approximately
“We are incredibly excited to join forces with Pluri,” said Tal Govrin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Kokomodo. “Scaling breakthrough innovation in food requires both technological expertise and market reach. By teaming up with Pluri, we believe that we will gain the ability to accelerate our production capabilities, expand globally, and remain true to our founding mission. I am proud to continue leading Kokomodo and we look forward to demonstrating how cellular agriculture technology can revolutionize the cacao industry with more sustainable, consistent, and adaptable products.”
“At Pluri, we are committed to pioneering sustainable solutions that address critical challenges in the global food industry,” said Yaky Yanay, Chief Executive Officer and President of Pluri. “With the closing of this strategic acquisition, we believe that we are uniquely positioned to lead innovation in the cultivated cacao sector. This acquisition advances our mission of transforming global food systems through biotechnology while adding complementary technology to our portfolio. By combining Pluri's proven expertise in scalable and cost-effective cell production with Kokomodo's innovative approach to cultivated cacao, we believe that this acquisition can address growing concerns about climate change impacts on traditional cacao farming, while meeting increasing consumer demand for sustainable cacao-based products.”
According to Grand View Research, the global cacao market was valued at
About Kokomodo
Kokomodo crafts real, controlled, climate-resilient cacao using cellular agriculture technology, making high-quality cacao accessible globally, all year round. By cultivating cacao directly from plant cells, Kokomodo preserves the rich flavor, functionality, and nutritional qualities of cacao while minimizing the environmental, ethical, and supply chain challenges of traditional production. With a diverse library of cacao cell lines, Kokomodo enables the development of tailored cacao ingredients that are essential for the chocolate industry, while also creating new opportunities for functional ingredients and wellness products. The company is led by Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tal Govrin, and Chief Technology Officer, Dario Breitel, PhD, and has been recognized by leading global accelerators for its innovation at the intersection of food, wellness, and sustainability. To learn more, visit www.thekokomodo.com or follow Kokomodo on LinkedIn.
About Pluri Inc.
Pluri™ is pushing the boundaries of science and engineering to create cell-based products for commercial use and is pioneering a biotech revolution that promotes global well-being and sustainability. The Company’s technology platform, a patented and validated state-of-the-art 3D cell expansion system, enables the development of novel cell-based solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges—from medicine and climate change to food scarcity and animal welfare. Pluri’s platform is uniquely accurate, scalable, cost-effective, and consistent from batch to batch. The Company operates in the regenerative medicine, foodtech, and agtech sectors and provides Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization services. Through strategic partnerships, Pluri aims to deploy its proprietary 3D cell-based technology across various industries that demand effective and scalable cell production. To learn more, visit www.pluri-biotech.com or follow Pluri on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other U.S. Federal securities laws. For example, Pluri is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the expected benefits from the completion of the Kokomodo Transaction; the belief that cellular agriculture technology can revolutionize the cacao industry; the expectation that the acquisition will accelerate its production capabilities and expansion into the cultivated cacao market, and support ongoing innovation and strategic growth across its cell-based technology platform; the belief that the acquisition of Kokomodo will enable Pluri to drive growth and expansion of Kokomodo’s operations by leveraging its cultivated cacao solutions to capitalize on growing demand for sustainable food technologies; and the belief that the synergy between Kokomodo’s advancements in cell line development and Pluri’s industrial-scale production will create a strong foundation for innovation and industry leadership in cultivated cacao.
These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of Pluri’s management only and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially: the expected benefits from the completed transaction may not be realized as anticipated; Pluri may encounter delays or obstacles in integrating Kokomodo’s operations; changes in technology or market conditions; Pluri may face challenges in launching or scaling new products; regulatory developments could impact commercialization efforts; its technology may not be validated as it progresses further and its methods may not be accepted by the scientific community; unforeseen scientific or operational challenges; and intensified competition in the cultivated food space.
Except as otherwise required by law, Pluri undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Pluri, reference is made to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
Investors: investor.relations@pluri-biotech.com
Israel Media: Shachar Yental at shacharye@gitam.co.il
U.S. Media: Berry Brady at berry@quantum-corp.com
FAQ
What is the value of Pluri's acquisition of Kokomodo and how was it paid?
How will the PLUR acquisition of Kokomodo impact the cacao industry?
What is the projected growth of the global cacao market according to the Pluri (PLUR) announcement?
Will Kokomodo maintain its independence after the PLUR acquisition?
