Terra35 Selected for MassChallenge 2026 Accelerator

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Dublin, Ireland, June 3, 2026 — Terra35, the only company growing bio-identical real vanilla, has been named a finalist in MassChallenge's Switzerland & UK 2026 Accelerator. 

Vanilla is one of the most intractable gaps in food. It is the world's most popular flavor and the second-most expensive spice after saffron, yet less than 1% of all vanilla comes from the bean itself. In major U.S. food and beverage categories, roughly one in five products is vanilla-flavored, and 99% of that is synthetic, made from petroleum or wood pulp. 

With a market worth billions, traditionally grown, real vanilla can only meet a fraction of global demand because it is one of the most labor-intensive crops in the world. Every flower is hand-pollinated, a new vine takes years to mature, and the once-a-year harvests are unpredictable. There is simply not enough real vanilla in the world to meet demand, and the brands that want it often cannot get it.

Terra35 closes that gap by growing real vanilla that delivers the full flavor profile of the highest-quality cured vanilla at the scale and price the market needs.

"Being chosen as a finalist for MassChallenge confirms what we have believed from day one. The world does not have a vanilla preference problem; it has a vanilla supply problem, and the industry is finally ready for the answer," said Meagan Gleason, Co-Founder of Terra35. "Our work gives every manufacturer and every brand access to real vanilla at a scale and price never before possible."

"Terra35 is built on a simple premise: the future of real vanilla should not be limited by the constraints of growing whole orchids in a handful of regions around the world," said Tanya Thornton, Co-Founder of Terra35. "Using our proprietary technology, we can preserve the complexity of the vanilla plant's flavor and aroma while dramatically reducing resource requirements and creating a more resilient, scalable supply. That's the impact this science unlocks."

Terra35 was founded by Meagan Gleason and Tanya Thornton, who bring more than 55 years of combined commercial leadership experience. The company is currently growing its first vanilla.

Since 2016, MassChallenge Switzerland has supported startups across Europe and beyond, with its 1,175 alumni raising over CHF 2.9 billion in funding to date and creating over 86,400 direct and indirect jobs. In 2026, MassChallenge UK will run their 4th cohort, with 71 startups and an additional track for AI & Autonomy.

About Terra35 

Terra35 grows real vanilla, delivering the full-spectrum flavor the market wants at the scale and price it needs, securing the future of vanilla. Learn more at www.terra35.com.