Scaling Mycelium Production: From Studio to Factory
Understand the processes, equipment, quality control and economics involved in moving mycelium products from prototype to production.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Scaling Mycelium Production: From Studio to Factory
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycelium Design & Architecture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course explains what it takes to move mycelium products from studio prototypes to reliable production. You will follow the journey from a first pilot to a production process flow, looking at equipment choices for mixing, sterilisation, inoculation, incubation and drying. Contamination control at scale and quality control for batch consistency are covered in depth, as these are often where young companies struggle most.
Many promising mycelium products stall because the process that worked for ten pieces cannot deliver thousands at consistent quality and cost. Understanding scale-up early helps designers and founders make better decisions about product design, investment and partnerships. The course suits founders, product developers and operations managers working on mycelium products. Live sessions combine process explanations with case examples and planning exercises, without relying on any single company's figures. In the final project you prepare a scale-up plan for a mycelium product, including process flow, key equipment, quality checkpoints, a capacity model built from your own assumptions and a partnership strategy.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in design & architecture, useful in areas such as biomaterials manufacturing, packaging and construction products, start-ups and scale-ups, contract manufacturing.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Understand the processes, equipment, quality control and economics involved in moving mycelium products from prototype to production.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: From prototype to pilot; Process flow and equipment.
- Put them into practice: Contamination control at scale; Quality control and batch consistency.
- Apply everything to a real case: Production costs and capacity planning; Partnerships and contract manufacturing.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Map a production process flow for a mycelium product.
- Identify suitable equipment for each production stage.
- Plan contamination control measures for larger facilities.
- Define quality criteria and inspection routines for batches.
- Build a simple cost and capacity model from stated assumptions.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Founders, product developers and operations managers.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of mycelium materials, such as from an introductory course, is helpful. Spreadsheet skills are needed for the cost and capacity exercises.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Operations manager at a biomaterials company
- Founder planning mycelium production
- Process engineer for grown materials
- Quality manager for biobased products
- Production planner in a manufacturing partner
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | From prototype to pilot | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Process flow and equipment | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Contamination control at scale | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Quality control and batch consistency | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Production costs and capacity planning | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Partnerships and contract manufacturing | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- What changes between studio and pilot
- Defining pilot objectives
- Learning from pilot runs
- Mixing and substrate handling
- Sterilisation and inoculation equipment
- Incubation and drying systems
- Hygiene zoning at scale
- Air handling and cleanliness
- Responding to contamination events
- Defining quality criteria
- Sampling and inspection
- Reducing batch variation
- Building a cost model
- Cycle times and throughput
- Capacity planning
- Working with contract manufacturers
- Licensing and joint ventures
- Protecting know-how in partnerships
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A scale-up plan for a mycelium product with process flow, equipment, quality checkpoints, capacity model and partnership strategy.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, planning exercises in each module and a final scale-up plan reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Design & Architecture school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Scaling Mycelium Production: From Studio to Factory?
Basic knowledge of mycelium materials, such as from an introductory course, is helpful. Spreadsheet skills are needed for the cost and capacity exercises.
How is Scaling Mycelium Production: From Studio to Factory taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, planning exercises in each module and a final scale-up plan reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A scale-up plan for a mycelium product with process flow, equipment, quality checkpoints, capacity model and partnership strategy.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Scaling Mycelium Production: From Studio to Factory?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Product Design.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).