Upside Foods, a trailblazing firm at the forefront of lab-cultivated meat production, has announced the appointment of Sean Edgett as its first Chief Legal Officer. Edgett, renowned for his tenure as Twitter’s former General Counsel, brings two decades of legal experience and a track record of driving innovation and sustainable growth.

 

Upside Foods, headquartered in Berkeley, California, has gained recognition for its "no kill" meat products. The company specializes in cultivating only the edible components of livestock, including chickens, pigs, and cows, aligning with a planet-friendly mission to transform the food industry.

 

Sean Edgett’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Upside Foods, as the company recently achieved significant milestones. Notably, the eight-year-old start-up accomplished two industry firsts: the successful sale of cultivated chicken meat and securing nationwide regulatory clearance for such sales in the United States. This landmark achievement marks Upside Foods as the first-ever company to offer FDA-approved cultivated "no kill" meat across the U.S.

 

Edgett's extensive legal history spans a variety of leadership roles, including his distinguished tenure at Twitter as General Counsel, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the social media giant’s legal landscape. His experience also encompasses roles as Legal Director at NetApp and attorney positions at prominent law firms such as Latham & Watkins and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

 

Driven by Upside Foods' mission and its commitment to innovation, Edgett saw a unique opportunity to contribute his expertise and shape a more sustainable food system: "With their historic regulatory accomplishments and exciting launches ahead, I'm excited to help navigate the complexities that come with pioneering a new industry so that we can drive our mission forward." 

 

Since its inception, Upside Foods has garnered substantial support from investors, raising an impressive $598 million across eight funding rounds. In 2022, the company achieved a valuation surpassing $1 billion, earning it the coveted "unicorn" status within the tech-unicorn ecosystem.

 

With Sean Edgett at the helm as Chief Legal Officer, Upside Foods is poised to continue its trajectory of innovation and sustainable growth, revolutionizing the food industry and setting new standards for responsible consumption.