Morus
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Morus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Morus
- Legal name
- Morus Inc.
- Website
- https://morus.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Morus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Alternative Protein Ingredients
- NAICS
- Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing (311613)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal-Derived Protein Ingredients (Egg, Collagen/Gelatin, Blood/Plasma Proteins) (AFAJAHAB)
Keywords
Where Morus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Morus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- MorSilk Powder Raw Material Sales: B2B sales of silkworm powder as functional ingredient to food, supplement, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Revenue generated through bulk ingredient supply contracts.
- KAIKO Branded Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of branded functional foods and supplements (DNJ+, SilkMatcha Zen, Protein Powder MATCHA) through e-commerce and retail channels.
- OEM Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing services for companies seeking to incorporate silkworm-derived materials into their products. Integrated support from raw material supply to commercialization.
- Nutrition Workshop Business: Corporate nutrition science lecture services targeting HR departments, labor unions, and organizations. Customized programs covering nutrition basics to advanced applications for employee health and productivity management.
- Joint Research: Collaborative R&D services with companies and research institutions on nutritional functions, silkworm breeding, and mass production technologies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | KAIKO DNJ+ Blood Sugar Care Supplement |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SilkMatcha Zen |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Protein Powder MATCHA |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trial Set |
| Other | Multi-year contract | MorSilk Powder (B2B Raw Material) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Morus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Morus develops and commercializes MorSilk® Powder, a 100% silkworm-derived functional ingredient rich in DNJ (1-deoxynojirimycin), essential amino acids, and silk proteins with a natural matcha-like aroma. The ingredient is sold B2B as a raw material to food, supplement, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and is also used as the base for the company's own B2C KAIKO® brand of functional foods including a DNJ+ blood sugar care supplement, SilkMatcha Zen, Protein Powder MATCHA, and Trial Sets. The company additionally offers OEM manufacturing, joint research collaborations, and corporate nutrition workshop services.
Product overview
Morus is a Japanese food tech startup that offers a two-tier product strategy: B2B raw materials (MorSilk® Powder) and B2C branded products (KAIKO®). MorSilk Powder is a 100% silkworm-derived functional ingredient rich in essential amino acids, DNJ, and silk proteins, sold as a raw material to manufacturers in foods, beverages, supplements, cosmetics, and biomaterials. The consumer-facing KAIKO® brand encompasses finished products including DNJ+ blood sugar care supplement, SilkMatcha Zen, Protein Powder MATCHA, and a Trial Set—all based on MorSilk Powder. Additional services include OEM manufacturing, joint research programs, and corporate nutrition training seminars.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MorSilk® Powder MorSilk® Powder is a next-generation functional ingredient derived from 100% silkworm. It is low in fat and rich in essential amino acids and unique ingredients such as 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and silk proteins, with a natural matcha-like aroma. It is sold as a B2B raw material to food, beverage, supplement, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking differentiated functional ingredients with EU regulatory compliance and full traceability.
- KAIKO® Functional Food Brand KAIKO® is Morus's proprietary consumer functional food brand built on MorSilk Powder. The brand encompasses functional beverages, supplements, and protein products sold direct-to-consumer through Morus's own e-commerce and retail events, targeting daily wellness, blood sugar care, and protein supplementation for health-conscious consumers.
- DNJ+ Blood Sugar Care Supplement DNJ+ is a KAIKO brand supplement designed to support daily blood sugar care for individuals mindful of post-meal glucose levels. It contains DNJ (1-deoxynojirimycin) sourced from silkworm-derived MorSilk Powder, sold through the KAIKO e-commerce platform and retail events to health-conscious consumers.
- SilkMatcha Zen SilkMatcha Zen is a KAIKO brand matcha product offering a smooth texture and an elegant flavor profile. It is made with MorSilk Powder, which features a matcha-like aroma and color, and is sold direct-to-consumer through the KAIKO e-commerce platform and retail events.
- Protein Powder MATCHA Protein Powder MATCHA is a KAIKO brand matcha-flavored protein product designed to make daily protein intake easy and enjoyable. It combines high-quality protein with matcha flavor derived from MorSilk Powder and is sold direct-to-consumer through the KAIKO e-commerce platform and retail events.
- Trial Set The Trial Set is a KAIKO brand assortment featuring small portions of Morus products (including DNJ+ supplement, SilkMatcha Zen, and Protein Powder MATCHA), designed for customers who would like to explore the range in smaller portions before making a full purchase. Available through the KAIKO e-commerce platform and at retail events.
- OEM Manufacturing Service Morus's OEM manufacturing service provides contract manufacturing using silkworm-derived high-performance materials. The service integrates silkworm research and food science to deliver products with superior functionality, safety, and flavor, supporting partners from raw material supply through commercialization. Targeted at manufacturers seeking functional ingredients for their own product lines.
- Joint Research Services Morus offers collaborative research services with companies and research institutions, including research on nutritional functions of raw materials, basic research on silkworm ecology and breeding, and development of mass production technologies and facilities. Targeted at corporate R&D teams, universities, and research institutes.
- Nutrition Training Services Corporate nutritional science lecture business providing nutrition seminars for corporate employees. Programs cover foundational to applied nutritional knowledge, including Basic Nutrition Course, Dietary Habit Program, Beauty & Conditioning Seminar, and Practical Workshop. Targeted at HR departments, listed companies, labor unions, and major organizations seeking to improve employee health and productivity.
Quantifiable outcome
- GHG emissions per kg protein from silkworm powder are lower than beef, pork, and whey in LCA evaluation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Morus
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Morus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Morus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.
- ZEROC Inc.minorLife Cycle Assessment (LCA) collaboration to calculate environmental impact of silkworm powder. Results show lower GHG emissions than beef, pork, and whey protein per kg.
- NTT DOCOMO ASIAflagshipBlockchain partnership to enhance food traceability. Digital certificates for KAIKO SilkMatcha products recording origin and manufacturing information on blockchain, accessible via QR code.
- Daniel Quek (DQ Associates)minorRegulatory Advisor. Managing Partner of DQ Associates LLP and Honorary Secretary of UN Global Compact Network Singapore. 30+ years in sustainability and regulatory affairs.
- KitchenTowncoreUS food-tech accelerator collaboration - first Japanese protein company to partner with KitchenTown. Joint project for market development and product innovation.
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaigncoreResearch collaboration on nutritional functions of silkworm powder. World's first scientific proof of insects functioning as 'bio-reactor/bio-condenser' published in Journal of Insects as Food and Feed (2025). Focus on zinc bioavailability from silkworm powder.
- Mikio Yamaguchi (SDG Impact Japan)minorFinancial Advisor. Managing Partner at Urban X Technologies and SDG Impact Japan. Joined advisory board in 2024.
- Innovate 360coreSingapore's premier food accelerator. APEC-approved program. Founder John Cheng serves as Morus Regional Business Advisor. First Japanese company selected.
- John Cheng (Innovate 360)coreRegional Business Advisor. Founder/CEO of Innovate 360, Singapore's premier food accelerator, and President of Feed 9 Billion initiative.
- Dr. Seiji AoyagicoreHead of Nutrition. Ph.D. in Nutrition from University of Illinois. Former Scientific Officer at DNS, worked at Abbott, GSK, Danone. Representative Director of International Society of Sports Nutrition.
- Ayu FujiicoreHead of Food Science. Former scientist at Beyond Meat. PhD candidate at University of California, Long Beach. Joined 2023.
- Shinshu UniversitycoreCo-founded with Professor Kunihiro Shiomi from Shinshu University's Faculty of Textile Science and Technology. Joint research on silkworm nutrition and breeding. Professor Shiomi serves as outside director. Morus is recognized as Shinshu University Venture.
- A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology InnovationcoreResearch partnership with Singapore's leading research institute to advance silkworm-based ingredient research and clinical trials targeting Singapore market.
- Kurita Industries Labor UnionminorFirst customer for corporate nutrition workshop business. Workshop covered practical nutritional knowledge for improving work performance and health.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Morus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ÿnsect: French insect protein company producing mealworm-based ingredients for food, feed, and pet food with a B2B ingredient model. Most direct comparable in alternative insect protein at industrial scale, sharing Morus's B2B ingredient strategy and sustainability positioning.
- Innovafeed: French insect protein producer (black soldier fly) with integrated co-location model near agricultural processing plants. Comparable as a B2B specialty ingredient company targeting feed, pet food, and aquaculture applications with industrial-scale ambitions.
- Entomo Farms: Canadian cricket protein producer with North America's largest cricket farming operation, selling both ingredients and consumer products. Comparable as a vertically integrated insect protein company serving both B2B and B2C channels.
- Protix: Dutch insect protein leader specializing in black soldier fly larvae for animal feed and pet food ingredients. Closest European peer operating a B2B specialty ingredient model with downstream industrial customers, directly comparable in commercialization strategy.
- Aspire Food Group: North American cricket protein producer operating both B2B ingredient and B2C food product lines. Comparable dual B2B/B2C model and cricket-based ingredient positioning, though focused on a different insect species than Morus's silkworm.
- Cricket One: Vietnamese insect protein company producing cricket-based food ingredients for Asian and global markets. Comparable as an Asia-based insect protein company with B2B ingredient focus and emerging-market manufacturing cost structure.
Broad incumbents
- Beyond Meat: Largest plant-based alt-protein public company serving retail and foodservice globally. Comparable as a broader alt-protein incumbent building consumer brand awareness around sustainable protein, though based on plant rather than insect inputs and operating at vastly greater scale.
Regional players
- Shiok Meats: Singapore-based cultivated meat company developing cell-based seafood and meat alternatives. Comparable as a Singapore-headquartered alt-protein startup leveraging Singapore's progressive food regulatory environment to access ASEAN markets, similar geographic positioning to Morus SG.
- DAIZ: Japanese plant-based alt-protein startup using proprietary soybean enzymatic processing to produce 'miracle meat.' Comparable as a Japan-based alt-protein company pursuing both B2B ingredient and B2C food positioning with sustainability-led branding in the same domestic market as Morus.
- Next Gen Foods: Singapore-based plant-based alt-protein company (brand: TiNDLE) with strong ASEAN and APAC retail presence. Comparable as a regional alt-protein brand competing for the same health-conscious Asian consumer and foodservice channel as KAIKO.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Morus social profiles
Digital presenceMorus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Morus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Morus subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Morus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Morus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Morus
What does Morus do?
Morus develops and commercializes MorSilk® Powder, a 100% silkworm-derived functional ingredient rich in DNJ (1-deoxynojirimycin), essential amino acids, and silk proteins with a natural matcha-like aroma. The ingredient is sold B2B as a raw material to food, supplement, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and is also used as the base for the company's own B2C KAIKO® brand of functional foods including a DNJ+ blood sugar care supplement, SilkMatcha Zen, Protein Powder MATCHA, and Trial Sets. The company additionally offers OEM manufacturing, joint research collaborations, and corporate nutrition workshop services.
Is Morus a public or private company?
Morus is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed.
When was Morus founded?
Morus was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Morus based?
Morus is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Morus make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. MorSilk Powder Raw Material Sales are the primary driver. The others are KAIKO Branded Product Sales, OEM Manufacturing, nutrition Workshop Business and joint Research.
Who are Morus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ÿnsect, Innovafeed, Entomo Farms, Protix, Aspire Food Group and Cricket One. Beyond Meat is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Shiok Meats, DAIZ and Next Gen Foods.
Does Morus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Morus.
What industry is Morus in?
Morus's product category is Alternative Protein Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAHAB, Animal-Derived Protein Ingredients (Egg, Collagen/Gelatin, Blood/Plasma Proteins). Its NAICS code is 311613 and its SIC code is 2890.