The entrepreneurial journey behind: Mazen Rizk’s success

He left his job and pursued his passion; today, this man has built a multi-million-dollar company, addressing a significant global issue.

About Mazen Rizk

Meet Mazen Rizk, the founder and CEO of Infinite Roots. At Infinite Roots, Mazen is working with a mission: “to feed people no matter where they are—whether poor or rich, in conflict or at peace, and in any geography.”

He was born and grew up in Lebanon. He completed his Master's degree in Molecular Biology at the Lebanese American University in 2009. After that, Mazen moved to Germany, where he earned his PhD in synthetic biotechnology from the Technical University of Hamburg in 2014, focusing his research on biofuels.

Why he left his well-paying job?

Mazen's passion for environmental sustainability and impact-driven change led him from researching renewable energy to working with global food tech companies.

Mazen worked at Ohly, the world's third-largest producer of yeast extract. During his time there, he focused on developing products aimed at reducing sugar and salt in consumer goods, as well as creating prebiotics and antibiotic alternatives for animal feed.

Rizk observed a global issue and recognised his potential in the realms of science, business, and social work. Soon, he decided to do something innovative to address this global issue. And that’s why he left his well-paying job.

What global issue motivated him to do business?

While working in his office, Mazen observed a significant issue in the existing food system. Currently, there are 1 billion people who do not have access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable food. It is estimated that by 2050, the global population will reach 10 billion. However, the existing food system will not be able to meet the needs of this growing population, particularly in providing healthy, sustainable, and affordable food.

Mazen noticed that this would be a major problem in the future. However, the food system has been working for a long time, but the system does not have enough solutions to address the global challenge. He realised that proactive and sustained action is essential if we are to create environmental and sustainable solutions by 2050. This realisation motivated him to launch his startup, Infinite Roots.

What is the Infinite Roots?

Mazen embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2018 by launching Infinite Roots (Mushlabs), a pioneering biotech company based in Hamburg, Germany. At Infinite Roots, they are dedicated to integrating cutting-edge science with natural fermentation processes to make mycelium a staple ingredient in kitchens, markets, and supply chains worldwide.

Infinite Roots is at the forefront of sustainable food innovation through cellular agriculture. Inspired by Mother Nature, the company cultivates mycelium from natural by-products, creating a groundbreaking new food category. Their mission is to advance a circular food system that addresses nutritional needs while preserving the planet.

Today, this biotech company, based in Germany, creates sustainable protein foods using fermentation and fungi to provide healthy, sustainable, and affordable food.

Driven by a passion for transforming the food industry for the betterment of people and the planet, Infinite Roots employs 70 individuals from 25 different nationalities in Hamburg, all working tirelessly to promote sustainable food innovation.

With his unwavering enthusiasm and pursuing his passion, Mazen built a multi-million-dollar company and became a successful entrepreneur.

If Mazen had chosen a path of comfort, we would not be celebrating his remarkable success story today.

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