# Liberation Bioindustries

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/liberation-bioindustries
Builds and runs large precision-fermentation plants that make proteins and ingredients for other companies. Formerly Liberation Labs; its first plant, in Richmond, Indiana, is due to start in 2026.

## In brief

- 600,000-litre plant in Richmond, Indiana; over half its capacity under contract or late talks.
- Production slipped from end-2024 to 2026.
- Partner Topian (NEOM) is planning a second plant in Saudi Arabia.

## Facts

- Headquarters: US
- Status: private
- Raised: $20M
- Website: https://liberation.bio
- Frontiers: [Agriculture](https://technooptimist.io/agriculture.md) (Fermented proteins), [Biotech](https://technooptimist.io/biotech.md)

## Programs

- [Richmond Precision Fermentation Plant](https://technooptimist.io/agriculture/richmond-plant.md) (Agriculture): Proto; next: Commercial production begins (2026, slipped 15 mo). Late-stage construction; production expected in 2026, two years later than first planned.

## Technical approach

- **Model: Fermentation capacity for hire**: Startups with engineered microbes rent large-scale production instead of building their own plants.
- **Plant: Built for food-grade proteins**: Large fermenters with a dedicated downstream line to separate and purify each customer's product.

## Open problems

- **Getting the first plant running** (open): Commercial production, first promised for end-2024, is now expected in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **15 Jan 2026**: Liberation Bioindustries makes Etan Bendheim CEO and moves co-founder Mark Warner to CTO. Chief business officer Etan Bendheim became CEO and Mark Warner moved to chief technology officer as the Richmond plant entered late-stage construction. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/liberation-bioindustries-makes-etan-bendheim-ceo-and-moves-co-founder-2a642083.md) · [original source](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/liberation-bioindustries-announces-roles-founders-221000558.html))
- **2 Jun 2025**: Liberation Labs renames itself Liberation Bioindustries as its Indiana plant nears completion. The company unveiled its new name at Future Food-Tech Chicago, with its 600,000-litre Richmond plant in final construction and production expected in 2026. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/liberation-labs-renames-itself-liberation-bioindustries-as-its-indiana-52e628e9.md) · [original source](https://www.synbiobeta.com/read/liberation-labs-rebrands-as-liberation-bioindustries-to-reflect-global-biomanufacturing-scale))
- **24 Jan 2023**: Liberation Labs picks Richmond, Indiana, for a $115M precision-fermentation plant. Liberation Labs announced a $115 million commercial-scale plant with 600,000 litres of fermentation capacity on a 36-acre lot in Richmond's Midwest Industrial Park. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/liberation-labs-picks-richmond-indiana-for-a-115m-precision-2ae6fb1d.md) · [original source](https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/richmond-tapped-for-115m-biomanufacturing-plant))

## Funding

| Date | Round | Amount | Post-money | Leads |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dec 2022 | Seed | $20M |   |   |

## Partners, customers and investors

- Vivici (customer): Dutch startup; Liberation will make its Vivitein BLG dairy protein at commercial volume.
- Topian (partner): NEOM's food company; co-developing a precision-fermentation plant in Saudi Arabia.

## People

- Etan Bendheim, CEO (from Jan 2026)
- Mark Warner, Co-founder & CTO

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