EIT Food West’s Post

🌱 Can meatless alternatives move from nice-to-have to must in a sustainable way? 📌 The plant-based food industry has been on shaky grounds lately. 📌 Only a couple of years ago it was still a novelty, but that has slowly faded away. 📌 Considering the rise of prices in part due to inflation, can plant-based foods live up to the hype, in a moment where many brands are fading away due to a lack of consumer response? 🇪🇸 In that scenario, Barcelona-based Heura Foods has snapped €40 million in a Series B funding round with the big aim of achieving profitability. While is very notable to raise a considerable round like this, this year will be crucial to see if Heura Foods can reduce the losses they experienced in previous years. Marc Coloma, CEO and co-founder of Heura Foods, said: “This new chapter will drive us to profitability while allowing us to develop breakthrough tech to tackle the key challenges within the industry in a scalable way” More on the Heura Foods round in EU-Startups in the comments.

This year’s theme for #WorldFoodDay focusing on the universal right to foods for a better life and better future has been a driving force for my career for over 20 years starting with work that I did on the Marketing Advisory Council for Food Bank For New York City and then co-founding AeroFarms, a #CertifiedBCorporation, leveraging #indoorverticalfarming to grow locally and nourish communities. Today, I am even more committed to driving positive impact and am honored to be recognized by TheFoodCons and their select list of 99 people + 1 shaping the global foodtech. Collectively, we can make a difference to improve our food system for generations to come. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with amazing organizations over the years to increase access to healthy, sustainable food. Chefs Collaborative, City Harvest, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, #ControlledEnvironmentAgricultureAlliance, The Culinary Institute of America, Food Bank For New York City, Food Tank, Food+Tech Connect God's Love We Deliver, Feeding America, Greens do Good, #HealthyGreensJC, International Fresh Produce Association, Ironbound Community Corporation, Meals on Wheels America, Meeting Essential Needs With Dignity, Milken Institute, Greater Newark Conservancy, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Montclair State University, Produce Marketing Association, Table to Table, Teens for Food Justice, World Economic Forum, United Fresh Produce Association   #WFD2024 #food #agriculture #farming #foodtech #agrifoodtech #AgTech #ZeroHunger #foodsecurity #foodsovereignty #climatechange #water #foodsystemschange #innovation #freshproduce #supplychain #localproduce #sustainableagriculture #organicproduce #foodindustry #foodsupply #fruitsandveggies #controlledenvironmentagriculture #verticalfarming

We are proud to announce that NuKoKo from our 2024 EIT Food Accelerator Network cohort has recently raised $1.5M to Scale “World’s first” cocoa-free chocolate made from fava beans.   This seed funding round was led by Oyster Bay Management GmbH, supported by grant funding to enable the scaling-up of Nukoko's ambitious business model. The investment will allow NuKoKo to scale up their process to industrial scale production ahead of market launch, as well increase the R&D headcount to develop their ability to flavour match varying cocoa flavour profiles. It aims to forge a range of B2B and retail partnerships, building relationships with major brands in order to help drive greater industry sustainability.   The start-up was founded in 2022 by chocolate entrepreneurs Ross Newton and Kit Tomlinson alongside what they enthusiastically describe as a ‘rockstar’ cocoa research scientist Professor David Salt and has since gained substantial traction.   NuKoKo is the new wave of bean-to-bar manufacturing, using a proprietary technology to naturally create a new type of chocolate from ingredients in the UK. It is 100% cocoa-free. Nukoko's  alt-chocolate is not only delicious, but more sustainable and healthier than existing chocolate.    The team have devised a fermentation process that closely mimic traditional cocoa fermentation, which has enabled them to make a comparatively unlikely transformation of fava beans into a more sustainable chocolate alternative.   ‘’At Nukoko we want to provide a viable alternative to chocolate, that is from a trusted ingredient with a natural and planet positive production process. We believe that being a true and authentic ‘bean-to-bar’ manufacturer, that uses fava beans not cocoa beans to make our chocolate alternative, sets us apart and resonates with consumers. Nukoko’s ability to provide a 1:1 replacement for cocoa and chocolate to the manufacturing market with a natural, plant-based product that is more sustainable, cost-effective and healthier than chocolate is transformative. We are on a mission to make a profound difference and drastically reduce the impact of the chocolate industry on the planet.’’ states founder Kit Tomlinson.   Congratulations to the entire Nukoko team and everyone involved, this is a great example how industry expertise, innovation and perseverance are at the forefront of bringing a new sustainable, cost-effective and healthier chocolate alternative to market.   #foodsystemtransformation #agrifoodtechinnovation #startupacceleration  

Hi #LinkedInFam 🚀Ready to delve into the future of food, ag & climate? 🌟🌍 Uncover the latest developments shaping the future of food on the #EdibleEncounter! Here's a sneak peek into what awaits: 🌊 Top Stories 🌱 Greeneye Technology Strategic $20M Fundraise: A Step Towards Sustainable Agriculture 🥩 Breaking New Ground: Meatable's Historic Cultivated Meat Tasting in the EU 🧠 AIPERIA's AI Vision Attracts €7.5M to Combat Fresh Food Waste 🍯 MycoTechnology, Inc. Breaks New Ground with Honey Truffle Sweetener 💰 Investments: 🛒 Flink's Strategic Moves Amid $100M+ Funding and Market Challenges in the On-Demand Grocery Sector 🌍 AmphiStar Secures €6 Million for Eco-Friendly Biosurfactants Derived from Waste 🌊 Suzano Ventures Invests in Bioform Technologies to Combat Single-Use Plastic Pollution 🌱 My Emissions secures seven figures for carbon labelling tech rollout 🥩 Cultimate Foods Raises Seed Funding to Refine Plant-Based Meats ☕ Indonesia’s Jago Coffee raises $6m in Series A investment round 📰 News & Trends: 🌾 Agriculture at the Crossroads of Innovation and Sustainability: xFarm Technologies's Strategic Alliance with Greenfield Technologies and SpaceSense 🥦 Impossible Foods launch Impossible Ranch: Cultivating a New Future for Plant-Based Meat ☕ Atomo Coffee partners with Bluestone Lane, and expands its reach across the United States. 🦗 Innovafeed Launches North America Insect Innovation Center: A Leap Toward Sustainable Agribusiness 📉 Investment in food waste tech down in the US, but the sector is still 'well positioned to outperform overall trends via AgFunder And don't forget to check out the latest episode of Food Tech Junkies! 🎙️ with Christina Senn-Jakobsen. It's a fun one, take it from me 😁 Stay ahead of the curve with the latest in sustainable agriculture and food innovation. Subscribe to our newsletter and dive into the future of food! 🌱🔬 #Sustainability #FoodTech #Innovation #FutureofFood #Agtech #ClimateTech #Investments #News #Partnerships 👉 Read the Full Newsletter Here https://lnkd.in/dybZfaeN

🍽️ 10 New Food Manufacturing Companies: Innovating for a Sustainable Future 🌱 Amidst a dynamic landscape of over 56K companies, this report spotlights 10 innovative startups transforming food manufacturing. These trailblazers are redefining the industry with sustainable practices, advanced technologies, and novel production methods. 🌟 Key Highlights: - Sustainable Practices: The food manufacturing industry is evolving with a strong emphasis on sustainability, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. - Technological Integration: Leveraging AI, advanced monitoring systems, and automation to enhance food safety, quality, and production efficiency. - Innovative Startups: Introducing pioneering companies that are making significant strides in food upcycling, fermentation-based production, and plant-based alternatives. 🚀 Emerging Food Manufacturing Innovators: - SuperGround: Transforming food waste into valuable upcycled products with cutting-edge processing techniques. - Farmless: Pioneering sustainable food production through innovative fermentation technology. - KWALI: Enhancing quick service restaurant operations with a comprehensive food production platform. ...and many more! 🔗 Full Article: https://bit.ly/3wRkXq0 #FoodManufacturingInnovation #SustainableFood #TechIntegration #StartUsInsights

🌱🚀 Weekly AgriFood Tech Roundup 🌾💡 Hey, LinkedIn fam! It’s time to "lettuce" celebrate this week's freshest, most "a-peeling" AgriFood tech news from Edible Planet Ventures. If you’re hungry for a "bunch" of innovation and sustainability, "romaine" calm because we’ve got you covered. Don't forget to "turnip" for our newsletter for even more "juicy" details! Don't miss out on the freshest insights from the field to your ears! Tune in to the FoodTech Junkies Podcast to catch up on everything happening in the ecosystem, available on all your favorite platforms. 🎧🌱 Green Growth Galore: Oishii's berry exciting $134M funding round is "strawberry" good news for eco-friendly agriculture. 🍓 Decarbonizing the Diet: Mondra is mixing the recipe for a greener planet also thanks to PeakBridge FoodSparks. 🌍 "Bean" There, Done That: Prefer | bean-free coffee's making a splash with beanless coffee in Southeast Asia. Who knew sustainability could "brew" so innovative? ☕ Dirt-Rich Insights: Trace Genomics is digging deep with Series B funding, proving the future of farming is in our soil. 🌱 Moo-ving Forward: Miruku's dairy seed system is udderly groundbreaking. Who needs cows when you have seeds? 🐄🌿 Climate Tech’s New "Roots": Varaha's $8.7M Series A is planting seeds for a cooler planet. 🌎 Fungi at the Front: 70/30 Food Sci & Tech is mushrooming into the mycelium-based protein scene in Asia. 🍄 Protein, Plain and Simple: Simple Planet's $6M boost to shake up alternative protein production. 🥩🌱 Plant-Based Breakthroughs: Day 8 is sprouting success in the plant-based protein space. 🌿💪 Clucking Towards the Future: Vegan Food Group's Tofutown.com GmbH acquisition is setting the stage for beyond vegan chicken. 🐔🌱 Ice Ice Baby: Perfect Day and Breyers are scooping into the market with dairy-free delights. 🍦 Beyond the Beyond: Beyond Meat® is spicing things up with Beyond IV, a new leap in plant-based meat innovation. 🌭 Strategic Shifts and Partnerships: UPSIDE Foods, Aleph Farms, and more are redefining food tech with a focus on sustainability. 🤝 A Spoonful of Sadness: Smallhold's bankruptcy reminds us of the challenges in our journey to sustainability. 🍄💔 Duckweed Delight: microTERRA's super sustainable ingredient is ready to "quack" down on sugar. 🦆🌿 Don't let your feed go "stale" - "sprout" some excitement by subscribing to our newsletter for the full "harvest" of insights and innovations. 💌🌟 Let’s keep "plowing" through the challenges to create a sustainable future for all. Because, in the end, we’re all part of the same "crop." 🌍💚 #Agritech #FoodInnovation #FoodSystemTransformation #Climate

🙌 Market innovation alert from EIT Food Accelerator Network alumnus MaGie Creations! 🌾 We are delighted to share that Bergbanket and circular innovator MaGie Creations are launching a new product at AH To Go (Albert Heijn) in 2025. "The new product: a cracker made with #brouwgraan of MaGie Creations offers AH To Go a sustainable product rich in flavour and full of fibre and protein. By adding the #brouwgraan, the cracker also scores Nutri-Score A, a measure for healthiest product composition" - Wibe Hofland Sales Manager Benelux at Bergbanket 👣 "Ingredients made from brewing grain are tasty, healthy, affordable, and sustainable. The contours of the transition from industrial partners to more sustainable ingredients are becoming increasingly clear. Our #brouwgraan-based ingredients no longer only find their way to the customer via #foodservice, but now also via #retail. With this important step, Albert Heijn - AH To Go ensures that more and more people can enjoy sustainable ingredients. A great way to make food production more sustainable, step by step." - Madeleine Gielens, founder and director of MaGie Creations 👥 Madeleine Gielens, founder and director of MaGie Creations, sees the introduction of the cracker as the next step in realising MaGie Creations' mission to make #brouwgraan accessible to everyone. The team aims to process 11 million kilogrammes of brewing grain annually into high-quality food products. Together with their new collaboration partner, Looop, they are working on establishing a 100% fossil-free factory where brewing grain will be processed. 📢 Meet the team at Food ingredients Europe in Frankfurt (19 to 21 November) to learn more about their latest concepts. #keepfoodfood #sustainability #circulareconomy #foodinnovation #foodsystemtransformation #agrifoodtechinnovation #startupacceleration

Passion Drives Everything: The Inspiring Story Behind a $300 Million Plant-Based Revolution 1. Ethan Brown, an energy industry professional with a deep passion for sustainability, saw a critical link between the food we eat and the planet’s future. Determined to combat climate change, he founded Beyond Meat in Los Angeles with a bold vision: to revolutionize the food system for the better. 2. Ethan’s focus turned to meat—a key contributor to environmental degradation. But this wasn’t just about removing meat from the equation; it was about recreating the taste, texture, and experience of meat in a way that was kinder to the planet. 3. In 2009, Ethan partnered with Fu-hung Hsieh and Harold Huff, two visionary professors from the University of Missouri who were advancing plant-based protein technologies. Using their innovative methods, Beyond Meat was born, and in 2012, the company introduced its first product: Beyond Chicken Strips. 4. By 2013, the brand gained traction nationally, thanks to a major partnership with Whole Foods. Consumers loved the idea of indulging in plant-based food without sacrificing flavor or texture. It was the start of something extraordinary. 5. Ethan’s passion and drive didn’t let him stop there. He aimed to do more than just offer a meat alternative—he wanted to redefine the category entirely. This vision led to the launch of Beyond Beef and Beyond Pork, further expanding the company’s reach. 6. By 2016, Beyond Meat had caught the attention of major investors, including Bill Gates, Biz Stone, and Tyson Foods. Armed with millions in venture funding, the company was poised for even greater growth. 7. The game-changer came in 2019 when Beyond Meat went public. It became the first plant-based meat company to have an IPO, with an opening valuation of $3.8 billion. The historic move made waves globally, putting plant-based innovation on the map. 8. Since then, Beyond Meat has continually pushed boundaries, opening manufacturing facilities worldwide and forming partnerships with leading brands like Dunkin’ and Taco Bell. Today, the company is synonymous with the plant-based movement, recognized as a pioneer in reshaping how we think about food. 9. Now valued at $331.88 million, Beyond Meat is proof that a single bold idea, fueled by passion and determination, can create monumental change. Ethan Brown’s journey wasn’t an easy one—he left behind a secure career to follow his heart. Over a decade, his relentless commitment transformed Beyond Meat from a fledgling startup to a multi-million-dollar powerhouse. His story is a testament to the power of passion. When you believe in something deeply enough, it can fuel you to overcome challenges, break boundaries, and create a better world. #PassionToPurpose #SustainabilityMatters #PlantBasedRevolution #FoodInnovation #EntrepreneurshipJourney #BoldVision #FutureOfFood #LeadershipInAction #MissionDriven #InnovateToInspire #StartUpSuccess #BeyondMeat #WaysandMeansTechnology

#Topics RisingFoodStars Introduces the Most Promising Scaleups to Target the EU Food Sovereignty and Reduce Food Waste [ad_1] EIT Food RisingFoodStars, a non-profit organisation co-funded by the European Union and the biggest agri-food tech community, has selected a cohort of the most promising startups for their 3-year program, aimed at scaling solutions that can address environmental concerns and the long-term sustainability of food and agriculture in Europe. The program intends to solve challenges such as securing food self-sufficiency, reducing net emissions by 90% by 2040, providing EU residents with healthy and nutritional food options, and halving food waste. Program alumni have already secured over $700 million in investments, supported by an additional $15 million in investments from the EIT Food Impact Fund.EIT Food RisingFoodStars offers startups comprehensive support through workshops, coaching, and mentorship, as well as access to a network of over 50 investors and 160 industry leaders. More than 130 startups have been supported by the current program and the high satisfaction rate – 80% Net Satisfaction – reflects its positive impact and value. The program has notable success stories, including RedefineMeat, known for developing plant-based meat using 3D-pr...