Jellatech, a startup based in Raleigh and Wageningen has raised $2 million from a group of investors looking to get a vegan gelatin and collagen product off the ground.

Jellatech raised the pre-seed funding in SAFEs – simple agreement for future equity – entitling the eight investors in the company, including Triangle-based Sustainable Food Ventures, the ability to buy discounted shares when the company has a valuation event, such as an initial public offering, in the future.

The startup intends to use the funds to scale up and continue developing a variety of cell-based collagens and gelatins that can be used in a range of contexts, including in food, beverages, skincare and cosmetics, as well as for medical and pharmaceutical applications.