The global move towards plant-based foods continues, and a German funder is looking to invest in start-ups from anywhere in the world that produce alternative proteins.
The ProVeg Incubator, the world’s first and leading alt-protein accelerator which has already supported 60 start-ups from across the globe, says it is hoping to fill food tech’s most pressing market gaps this way, and is now recruiting more top-tier innovators that it can back financially.
According to its own consumer survey, seafood alternatives, egg alternatives, plant-based cheese and ready meals represent some of the biggest gaps in food tech.
The ProVeg Incubator, based in Berlin, is particularly interested in receiving applications from start-ups developing egg, seafood and chicken alternatives, as well as ingredients and technologies that can help substitute animal-derived staple products on a mass scale.
Start-ups that eventually join the ProVeg Incubator are supported with a tailor-made accelerator programme, one-on-one expert mentoring, access to the Incubator’s extensive networks of industry contacts, and up to €250 000 in funding and in-kind services.
Collectively, the ProVeg Incubator’s alumni have raised more than €230 million, with products stocked in over 15 000 stores worldwide.
Protein alternatives to half the world
Albrecht Wolfmeyer, head of the ProVeg Incubator, says, “We strive to … achieve our mission of reducing the consumption of animals by 50% by 2040.
“We would like to see applications from start-ups that are working on plant-based, fungi-based and cultured meat and seafood alternatives, using and combining different types of fermentation, precision fermentation and cellular agriculture.”
“The ProVeg Incubator offers access to a unique expert network that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world,” adds Antje Räuscher, Senior Innovation and Partnership Manager at the Incubator.
“We connect start-up teams with mentors, corporate partners and investors from Europe to Asia to the Americas. In addition, the ProVeg Incubator brings impact-driven food-tech founders together into a community that provides invaluable learning experiences and opportunities for growth. This can truly make all the difference on an entrepreneurial journey.”
The programme will kick off at the end of September. Applications are being accepted until 31 July and can be submitted at https://provegincubator.com/application-form/#apply.
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