SaltbyPep
Salt by Peb is a South Korean food-tech startup, founded in 2024 and based on Jeju Island, that applies proprietary enzyme fermentation, precision aging, and Saraya-co-developed rapid freezing technology to produce premium aged Hanwoo beef for B2B customers — premium restaurants, luxury hotels, Michelin chefs, domestic ODM brand partners, and export markets in Hong Kong and Singapore.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersJeju, South Korea
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SaltbyPep does
Salt by Peb is a South Korean food technology startup, founded in 2024 and headquartered on Jeju Island, that has developed a proprietary enzyme fermentation and precision-aging process for premium Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) beef. The core technology combines enzyme fermentation, precision aging science, and a rapid freezing technology co-developed with Saraya to produce consistent aged beef with quantified performance characteristics: 40% reduction in shear force, 2x increase in umami compounds (glutamic acid and IMP), <3% juice loss (versus a baseline of approximately 12%), 30% higher amino acid content, and a MUFA/SFA ratio reportedly exceeding Angus or Wagyu. A granted patent on the aged meat distribution system and methods underpins an IP position the company uses to differentiate itself as a technology company rather than a meat distributor. Operations span exclusive contract farms on Jeju Island (where 50% of Korea's grasslands are concentrated), HACCP- and ISO 22000-certified production facilities, and JQ and AEO certifications supporting both domestic premium positioning and streamlined export.
The company's business model is exclusively B2B with three revenue streams: (1) direct sales of precision-fermented aged Hanwoo to premium restaurants, luxury hotels, and Michelin-credentialed chefs under selective distribution; (2) ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) partnerships with domestic Korean brands that sell aged meat products under their own labels; and (3) international export, currently active into Hong Kong and Singapore and supported by a Hong Kong regional office. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with a formal partnership inquiry process (Partnership, Sample Request, Placement Inquiry) and a sample service for B2B customers. Distribution is intentionally exclusive — no retail channels — and the go-to-market relies heavily on endorsements from a small group of culinary figures including Director Choi Su-geun (Korean Culinary Museum, Kyung Hee University), Chef Jo Woo-hyun (Flora), Chef Park Chan-il (La Comma, Tutto Bene, Trattoria Nonna), and Chef Song Yong-wook (Executive Sous Chef at Seoul Dragon City managing 8 hotel restaurants).
Salt by Peb is privately held and venture-backed. It was selected for South Korea's TIPS program in 2024 alongside its seed round, and in March 2026 closed an undisclosed pre-Series A round from Bluepoint Partners, Vine Ventures, KOC Partners, and Venture Square, with stated use of proceeds for export expansion and technology enhancement. Headcount, revenue, and specific funding amounts are not disclosed in the available sources.
SaltbyPep firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SaltbyPep
- Legal name
- Salt By Peb
- Website
- https://saltbypeb.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Salt by Peb is a South Korean food-tech startup, founded in 2024 and based on Jeju Island, that applies proprietary enzyme fermentation, precision aging, and Saraya-co-developed rapid freezing technology to produce premium aged Hanwoo beef for B2B customers — premium restaurants, luxury hotels, Michelin chefs, domestic ODM brand partners, and export markets in Hong Kong and Singapore.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SaltbyPep industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Aged Beef
- NAICS
- All Other Food Manufacturing (31199)
- SIC
- Meat Packing Plants (2011), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fermented & Air-Dried Charcuterie (Salami, Pepperoni, Prosciutto-Style) (AFANAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged) (CRADACAK), Frozen Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAG), Meat & Seafood Cold Storage (including tempering) (AFAOAFAJ)
Keywords
Where SaltbyPep is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jeju
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
SaltbyPep business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Premium Aged Hanwoo Beef B2B Sales: Direct B2B sales of precision-fermented, aged Hanwoo beef to premium restaurants, hotels, and chefs. Products are sold exclusively to highly selective locations such as top-tier restaurants and premium hotels.
- ODM Partnership for Domestic Brands: Operates as an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) partner for domestic Korean brands, providing aged meat products under their partners' brands while building export references.
- International Export: Export sales of premium aged Hanwoo to overseas markets including Hong Kong and Singapore. Products are shipped using custom packaging solutions for global transport.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
SaltbyPep product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Salt by Peb produces and distributes premium precision-fermented, aged Hanwoo (Korean) beef to high-end restaurants, luxury hotels, and chefs using proprietary enzyme fermentation technology and a patented aged meat distribution system. The company controls the full chain from exclusive Jeju Island contract farms through HACCP-certified processing, rapid freezing (with Saraya), and custom packaging for international export. It also operates as an ODM partner for domestic brands seeking aged meat capabilities under their own labels.
Product overview
Salt By Peb is a South Korean food tech company specializing in premium Hanwoo (Korean beef) quality engineering. The company operates as both a product brand and a technology company, offering precision-fermented aged Hanwoo beef as its core product. The product portfolio centers on Precision-Fermented Hanwoo Beef, which uses proprietary enzyme fermentation and microbiome-based aging technology developed with Saraya. The company also functions as an ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) partner for domestic brands while building export references in international markets including Hong Kong and Singapore. The technology reduces juice loss from approximately 12% to under 3% and enables consistent texture and flavor optimization across batches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Precision-Fermented Hanwoo Beef Premium aged Hanwoo (Korean) beef processed with proprietary enzyme fermentation and precision aging, achieving 40% softer texture, 2x umami compounds, and <3% juice loss; targeted at premium restaurants, luxury hotels, and Michelin-level chefs.
- ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) Aged Meat Services White-label/ODM partnership for domestic Korean brands that want to sell aged Hanwoo products under their own labels using Salt by Peb's fermentation technology, quality systems, and aging capabilities.
- Premium Hanwoo Export to Hong Kong and Singapore International export supply of premium aged Hanwoo beef to Hong Kong and Singapore, using AEO-certified customs handling and custom packaging to preserve quality during global transport.
Quantifiable outcome
- Juice loss reduced from approximately 12% to under 3% through microbiome-based aging and rapid freezing technology
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use SaltbyPep
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SaltbyPep technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SaltbyPep partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SarayacoreSaraya is a technology partner that collaborated with Salt by Peb to develop rapid freezing technology for preserving meat quality during transport. This technology is essential for maintaining the <3% juice loss quality standard and enabling international export of premium aged Hanwoo beef.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SaltbyPep competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CJ CheilJedang: Korean food conglomerate with deep fermentation expertise and broad domestic food manufacturing footprint. Could enter premium aged-meat as a competitor or partner; comparable Korean heritage fermentation platform at scale.
- Lotte Foods: Major Korean processed-food manufacturer with Hanwoo product lines and national distribution. Represents the established incumbent channel that any premium Korean beef brand must compete against or partner with domestically.
- Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association: Governing body for Kobe beef, the archetypal premium beef category benchmark. Sets the price ceiling and provenance standard against which any premium beef brand like Salt by Peb is judged by chefs and consumers.
Direct peers
- Snake River Farms: American wagyu and dry-aged beef brand selling premium cuts to chefs and home consumers. Comparable premium beef branding, aging technology, and chef-driven B2B motion.
- Stockyard Beef: Australian premium wagyu producer distributing to hotels and fine-dining restaurants across Asia. Similar selective B2B premium-beef model targeting luxury hospitality in export markets.
- Mayura Station: Australian full-blood wagyu producer selling premium beef direct to Michelin-level chefs worldwide. Directly comparable premium-beef B2B export model with provenance-led positioning.
- Joselito: Spanish Iberico ham producer built on heritage fermentation/curing and exclusive distribution to top restaurants and luxury hotels. Highly comparable as a heritage-anchored, B2B-premium, fermentation-driven meat brand.
- 5J Cinco Jotas: Premium Spanish Iberico ham brand sold selectively to fine-dining chefs globally. Comparable as a terroir-driven, fermented/cured premium meat brand with selective B2B luxury distribution.
Others
- SteakAger: US-based dry-aging equipment and technology provider serving premium steakhouses. Comparable as an aging-technology enabler; signals the broader ecosystem of process innovation around premium meat that Salt by Peb competes within.
- Dry Ager: German maker of commercial dry-aging cabinets and aging technology used by steakhouses and premium butchers globally. Relevant as an alternative aging-technology platform and potential competitor/partner in the meat-aging equipment space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SaltbyPep compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
SaltbyPep financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SaltbyPep leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SaltbyPep funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SaltbyPep 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 SaltbyPep
What does SaltbyPep do?
Salt by Peb produces and distributes premium precision-fermented, aged Hanwoo (Korean) beef to high-end restaurants, luxury hotels, and chefs using proprietary enzyme fermentation technology and a patented aged meat distribution system. The company controls the full chain from exclusive Jeju Island contract farms through HACCP-certified processing, rapid freezing (with Saraya), and custom packaging for international export. It also operates as an ODM partner for domestic brands seeking aged meat capabilities under their own labels.
Is SaltbyPep a public or private company?
SaltbyPep is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SaltbyPep founded?
SaltbyPep was founded in 2024.
Where is SaltbyPep based?
SaltbyPep is headquartered in Jeju, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does SaltbyPep make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Premium Aged Hanwoo Beef B2B Sales are the primary driver. The others are ODM Partnership for Domestic Brands and international Export.
Who are SaltbyPep's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CJ CheilJedang, Lotte Foods and Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association. Direct peers are Snake River Farms, Stockyard Beef, Mayura Station, Joselito and 5J Cinco Jotas. Others are SteakAger and Dry Ager.
Does SaltbyPep have an API?
No public API is recorded for SaltbyPep.
What industry is SaltbyPep in?
SaltbyPep's product category is Premium Aged Beef. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANAEAE, Fermented & Air-Dried Charcuterie (Salami, Pepperoni, Prosciutto-Style), with a secondary code of CRADACAK, Refrigerated Meat & Seafood (Processed/Packaged). Its NAICS code is 31199 and its SIC code is 2011.