From a love of nature to a mission for sustainability
Meisterpilze was officially founded in June 2024.
However, the roots of our story go much deeper—into childhood memories, scientific curiosity, and a shared belief that food production can (and must) be more sustainable.
Two paths, one vision
Luis grew up in Portugal, surrounded by fields, animals, and plants. For him, nature was not an abstract concept—it was a part of daily life. Early on, he developed a fascination for understanding things at a molecular level, which eventually led him to study chemistry.
What was originally planned as a two-month visit to Erlangen turned into a new life in Germany.
Jonas, on the other hand, was born in Erlangen but spent much of his youth abroad—in Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. Encountering different cultures shaped his curiosity and his global perspective. He eventually returned to Erlangen, studied biology, completed his doctorate, and gained several years of experience in scientific research.
Different backgrounds, same mindset:
Scientifically grounded. Nature-inspired.
The first big idea: Mycelium materials
Even before founding the company—around 2021/2022—we pooled our knowledge and values into our first joint project. With the support of the Makerspace ZAM in Erlangen, we began developing sustainable materials from mushroom mycelium and agricultural residues—an eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam. The idea was bold. The science was exciting. The vision was clear. But like many pioneer technologies, it was not yet economically viable on a small scale. Instead of giving up, we adapted.
We asked ourselves: How can we apply everything we have learned in a way that is sustainable, local, and economically resilient?
Looking for fresh mushrooms or want to grow your own? Fresh mushrooms at the market · Discover substrate & grow kits.