Meet the Key Players Driving Cultured Meat and Seafood Innovation What will it take for cultured meat and seafood (CM/CSF) to move from the lab to the lunchbox? Beyond the science, it’s people who shape the future of food—those who develop, regulate, invest in, sell, consume, and talk about these products. That’s why the FEASTS project is putting stakeholder insight and engagement in the focus of its mission. A map of motivations, challenges, and opportunities Rather than seeing stakeholders as abstract categories, the CSCP project team wanted to understand the human realities shaping the CM/CSF landscape: what drives people’s decisions, what holds them back, and what kind of support or dialogue might move things forward. The result is a high-level overview of eleven key stakeholder groups—ranging from producers and policymakers to educators and end-consumers. Drawing on literature, expert insight, and in-depth interviews, the analysis reveals both common ground and diverging needs. For example, suppliers and producers are often driven by innovation and sustainability, yet face steep technological and regulatory hurdles. Consumers, on the other hand, are curious but cautious—balancing environmental or health motivations with concerns around price, familiarity, and “naturalness.” In between are policymakers, investors, waste managers, distributors, and more—each playing a role in turning potential into practice. Across the board, one theme emerges: engagement should be tailored, transparent, and grounded in real-world concerns. Giving the data a human face To support targeted communication and co-creation, the interdisciplinary CSCP team developed illustrative persona profiles for selected groups. These are not fictional stereotypes but composites based on real input—designed to reflect different mindsets, experiences, and expectations. One profile shows a young biotech entrepreneur navigating EU regulations and funding gaps. Another features a chef intrigued by CM/CSF but unsure of consumer demand. A third explores the concerns of the CEO of a conventional salmon farm facing uncertainty—and opportunity—in a changing food landscape. Five consumer personas, additionally, portray the diversity of public opinions, motivations, and questions. The personas support project partners and stakeholders to better understand each-other, build trust, and identify shared paths forward. Laying the groundwork for a shared food future By creating a clear, evidence-based map of the CM/CSF stakeholder ecosystem, FEASTS lays the foundation for something that goes beyond developing new products and into co-shaping a food system that reflects public values, scientific insight, and sustainability goals. As the project moves forward, the FEASTS consortium will continue to deepen these insights and support collaboration across sectors. Please find the full report on our stakeholder analysis here. For further questions, please contact Britta Holzberg.