💡 Cooking and... LED lights??

Today’s newsletter is 388 words - a 2-minute read (4-minute if you take your time…🐌)

Welcome back everyone!

Excited to have you join us: We’re Chris & Nolan (@chrisnolansf), and welcome to SF Whisper - a newsletter covering the most interesting business and local news of San Francisco.

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Anyways. Let’s get started -

Prolific Machines: Innovating Food Tech with Light

Prolific Machines: Leading Food Tech with LED Innovation

Prolific Machines, a four-year-old startup, is revolutionizing food tech with its unique optogenetics technology, using LED light to grow animal muscle cells. Founded by Declan Jones, Max Huisman, and Deniz Kent, the company has attracted significant investment from figures like Bill Gates and Mark Cuban. Their lab-grown meat aims to reduce environmental impact and resource usage, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional meat production.

Expanding Applications Beyond Meat

Beyond cultured meat, Prolific Machines plans to license its technology to other industries, including pharmaceuticals. Their innovative process, which eliminates costly chemicals, has garnered interest from investors and culinary experts like David Chang. With fresh funding, the team is set to explore commercial partnerships and improve their technology, potentially paving the way for widespread adoption of optogenetic manufacturing.

Caltrain Electrification Tests: Weekend Service Disruption

Weekend Shutdown for Electrification Testing

Caltrain will halt service between San Francisco and San Jose on June 8-9 to test new electrified trains, set to begin service in September. Limited bus service will be available at San Jose Diridon, Palo Alto, and Millbrae stations, with transfers to BART at Millbrae. The electrification aims to offer faster, cleaner, and more efficient service.

Impact on Weekend Events

The shutdown coincides with various San Francisco events, including the Juneteenth parade, Filipino “Be Free” festival, and World Naked Bike Ride. Giants fans, typically large Caltrain users, will be unaffected as the team plays out of town.

Catch up on the latest:

• Beloved Tadich Grill in trouble… (Link)

• CA junk fees may live after all - saved by the bill (Link)

Today’s whisper:

^{West Coast Craft is featuring 275+ of the best artists and designer craftspeople inside the Fort Mason Center in SF over June 8 & 9}