Mycelia Academy: Empowering the Future of Biofabrication and Mycelium Materials
- Marc Violo
- Jul 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 28
If you’ve ever thought about turning fungi into fashion or furniture, you're not alone. But turning this innovative concept into a viable industrial practice is complex. Scaling mycelium-based materials involves careful strain selection, meticulous production processes, and rigorous contamination control. Education often reveals a variety of unknowns, with experimenters frequently discovering how outdated routines and overlooked hygiene risks have been holding them back, losing time and money in the process.
At MycoStories, we receive dozens of questions on these topics every month. Biofabrication, the art of transforming mycelium into sustainable materials, is rapidly gaining attention worldwide, with over 80 companies already exploring this exciting field across four continents. Yet, until recently, there was a significant gap: professional-level training for those genuinely committed to industrial-scale biofabrication simply wasn't available.
A New Partnership for Biofabrication Innovation
We’re therefore excited to introduce our community to our collaboration with Mycelia Academy, a leading institution in professional education for industrial mycelium production. This partnership aims to bring cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in biofabrication to professionals eager to explore the potential of fungi-based materials. Mycelia Academy, based in Deinze, Belgium, is set to empower our community with the tools to navigate this rapidly evolving field.
What is Mycelia Academy?
Mycelia Academy is a globally recognised centre for training in mycelium production, exclusively focusing on industrial applications of fungi. It serves a diverse audience, including professional growers, designers, researchers, and investors, all united by an interest in solid-state fermentation with fungi. The academy’s mission is to make high-level, practical knowledge accessible, helping professionals avoid costly mistakes and elevate industry standards.
Founded by experts like Magda Verfaillie, with over 40 years of experience, Kasper Moreaux, and director Lieselotte Verweirder, the academy combines decades of expertise with a commitment to practical education. Its programs are designed to bridge a significant gap in the biofabrication sector, where reliable, in-depth training is often scarce.
Comprehensive Educational Offerings
Mycelia Academy provides a range of programs tailored to different aspects of mycelium production, blending theoretical insights with hands-on practice:
Mycomaterials Production Course (Belgium): Aimed at designers and entrepreneurs, it delves into producing fungal materials for industrial use, tackling real-world challenges. To dive deeper into the topic, check out guest lecturer Jara Salueña Martín’s thoughts on When Biology meets Manufacturing.
Substrate & Wood Fungi Production Course (Belgium): Focuses on substrate preparation and cultivation for fungi like Shiitake, with practical sessions covering the full production process.
Pasteurization Production Masterclass (Greece): Held at operational sites, this course explores process design, hygiene, and quality assurance.
Mycelium & Spawn Production Course (Belgium): Offers in-depth training on liquid and solid spawn production, strain maintenance, inoculum technology: Critical components for reliable mycelium cultivation.
These programs are designed to equip participants with practical skills to excel in mycelium production, with participant feedback being overwhelmingly positive.
Additionally, the academy provides tailored consulting services for startups, industrial farms, and universities, covering upscaling, troubleshooting, and facility design. An online learning platform, launching in 2026, will start with a module focusing on contamination risks and best practices and help participants aim to fix typical infection problems.
Why Mycelia Academy Stands Out
Mycelia Academy distinguishes itself through its practical, industry-focused approach. Its courses cover the entire production chain, from strain selection to scale-up, offering a comprehensive learning experience. Training takes place in operational sites, providing a realistic view of industrial challenges, such as strain selection and troubleshooting, which are critical as biofabrication grows in popularity. As one of the participants shared back, “it was so valuable for me to understand how I would start a professional operation in Mycomaterials”.
Building on its founders’ 40 years of industry experience, participants learn not only from successes but also from industry pitfalls, fostering a mindset shift that saves time and resources. Its expert instructors, all active industry leaders, deliver comprehensive content in intimate groups, encouraging open dialogue and peer exchange.
Networking is another key benefit. Participants join a community of like-minded professionals, building connections that extend beyond the classroom. This community-driven approach enhances learning and supports long-term professional growth in this fungi ecosystem.
Driving the Biofabrication Revolution
As biofabrication gains momentum, Mycelia Academy offers a vital resource for professionals looking to stay ahead. Its practical training, expert guidance, and community focus make it an ideal partner for our community. We encourage you to explore their offerings, particularly the Mycomaterials Production Course, with an early bird offer available until July 31, 2025. Visit www.mycelia-academy.org for details, subscribe to their newsletter, or connect on LinkedIn to stay updated.
