Located in Kogelberg, South Africa's oldest UNESCO-designated biosphere claimed to be one of the most pristine natural environments on the planet, the Bioshroom launched in 2022, establishing itself locally as a trusted supplier of pure, responsibly cultivated functional mushrooms. Using only the fruiting bodies, and with all batches independently lab tested for bioactives, heavy metals, pesticides, allergens, mycotoxins and microbial contaminants, the firm promises high quality extracts.
Now, with the appointment of a new executive team, led by entrepreneur Simon Hazell as CEO and operations specialist Volant Wills as COO, plus a significant capital investment in structural upgrades, the team is gearing up for global success.
"I could see the potential for mushrooms immediately, then when I came across the facility, it was quite spectacular." Hazell told NI. "There's a high demand for Lion's Mane across South Africa, primarily in supplement form but increasingly there is interest in adding it to foods and beverages.
Hazell previously founded the profitable insect protein firm Inseco, in 2018—where Wills also worked as factory manager— transforming low-value organic by-products into abundant, affordable protein. After several fruitful years supplying primarily animal feed and fertilizer manufacturers, the firm hit a number of challenges, notably 'load shedding'— regular power outages used in South Africa to prevent a total collapse of the national electricity grid.
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