🫧 Hy-five: Mushrooms & Women's Health, Investing in Fungi, Mycelium for Regenerative Medicine, Mycoprotein Breakthroughs
Sporadic round-up of mycological research and industry news.
Hello dear fungi enthusiast,
I’ve been working with functional mushroom supplement brand Mabel for close to a year now, and through my regular conversations with Pernille Brostrup, one of the co-founders, I’ve learned so much on women’s health, and more importantly, how underrepresented it is in research and the public discourse. So I wanted to investigate whether functional mushrooms can actually support hormonal balance and emotional resilience.
This personal deep dive explores the lived experiences alongside emerging science behind mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga for women’s health, from managing endometriosis and PMDD to navigating burnout and hormonal imbalance.
The science is still catching up—but for many, the benefits feel real. Functional mushrooms may not be a cure, but they should be a meaningful part of the conversation.
Read more here and share with women around you.
#1 Investing in Fungi: Discussing Opportunities and Challenges in Funding Fungal Biotechnology
Next week in Paris, MycoStories and MycoWorks are hosting a private investor roundtable and Q&A exploring how fungi-based innovation is creating new value at the intersection of nature and biotechnology.
Led by Matthew L. Scullin, CEO of MycoWorks, and myself, the event will bring together investors, founders and industry leaders to unpack the commercial potential of mycelium technologies across industries.
To request an invitation, reach out to the MycoStories invest team.
#2 Fungi Health Innovation: Mycelium Scaffolds Could Transform Regenerative Medicine
For decades, tissue engineering has relied on synthetic polymers, ceramics, and animal-derived collagen to support healing after injury. But these materials come with trade-offs: high costs, complex manufacturing, and inconsistent biological outcomes. As the demand grows for sustainable, patient-friendly solutions, researchers are now turning to fungi.
Mycelium is now being explored as a biocompatible, biodegradable scaffold for tissue repair. Cultivated on agricultural waste and shaped with minimal processing, these natural structures offer a promising alternative to conventional medical scaffolds.
#3 NoMy Secures New Funding Round to Accelerate Mycoprotein Production
Norwegian Mycelium (NoMy), a leading innovator in sustainable fermentation technologies, announced its latest funding round, led by strategic investor Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Nitten), listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The investment builds upon and accelerates the partnership between the two companies, which began in April 2024, and aims to commercialize NoMy’s mycoprotein technologies utilizing resources from the beet sugar manufacturing process.
4# Scaling Up Sustainably: Inside Millow’s First Factory and the Future of Mycelium Protein
Swedish food tech startup Millow is entering a new phase of growth, bringing its oat-and-mycelium protein to industrial scale. Built on decades of academic research and powered by a unique dry-state fermentation technology, Millow is repurposing a former LEGO production hall outside Gothenburg to launch its first full-scale factory.
Each of Millow’s proprietary bioreactors can produce up to 500 kg of protein per day, equivalent to around 150 tonnes per year. Rather than building new infrastructure, Millow retrofitted a 25,000 sq m facility, avoiding an estimated 1,400 tonnes of embedded CO2 emissions. The new factory will serve as the company’s launch pad for foodservice and retail products starting in Sweden and the Nordic region.
Need support? Maybe we can help.
MycoStories works with founders, investors, industry leaders, and research institutions.
Leveraging a global network of subject-matter experts, MycoStories helps founders scale their business, guides investors and industry leaders in identifying high-potential opportunities, and empower researchers to translate their work into real-world applications.
Don’t hesitate to reach-out. If we can’t help, someone within the community will. ✊🏽