According to Ag Funder, financial support for cultivated meat enterprises has tanked. Data confirms a reduction from close to $1 billion in 2021 to investment of only $65 million in 2024. Evaporation of venture capital financing and rejection of funding rounds for existing companies has resulted in termination of operations. Meatable in the Netherlands, considered the most capable of 
bringing forward a marketable product ceased operation in late 2025 concurrently with Believer Meats in the U.S. Industry observers ascribe the trend to the failure of startups to justify predictions of both consumer demand and their ability to produce. Hype only goes so far.
In the case of Believer Meats, the company embarked on major capital investment in buildings and installations without demonstrating their capacity to expand from pilot-scale production to commercial-level output using bioreactors that would be consistent with even miniscule demand. Spokespersons for failed companies claim regulatory restraints but in both Western Europe and the U.S. there were few obstacles imposed by governments. In contrast, many states in the U.S. and nations in Europe including France and Italy have enacted legislation banning either the production or sale of cultivated meat or have imposed rigorous labeling requirements as demanded by livestock producers.
Even if technical restraints had been overcome, it is doubtful whether demand for cultivated meat would have justified investment in facilities given concern over ultra-processed foods, a narrow range of products and non-competitive cost against “real” meat. Experience of the plant-based substitute-meat industry should have served as a warning to both venture capital companies and over enthusiastic proponents of cultivated meat based on sustainability and welfare. These attributes have paled in significance during the past five years with cost and availability considerations that have become dominant in a post-COVID food market.