Sustainable Food Ventures

Propel Foods is an innovative startup that produces plant-based and fungi-based alternative proteins, focusing primarily on frozen Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos and chorizos. Utilizing AI technology, food science, and data-driven approaches, Propel crafts realistic, sustainable, nutritious, and affordable alternatives to traditional animal proteins. Their mission is to encourage both vegan and non-vegan consumers to adopt these healthier, eco-friendlier options occasionally, thereby positively impacting the environment and personal health.

Farmless is a food-tech startup focused on revolutionizing food production by decoupling it from arable land. The company employs advanced fermentation technology to transform renewable energy into essential food components, including proteins, carbohydrates, beneficial fats, vitamins, and minerals. By utilizing a liquid feedstock derived from renewable energy sources, Farmless aims to produce carbon-negative, functional proteins with a complete amino acid profile. This innovative approach not only enables the creation of low-cost proteins at a planetary scale but also assists farmers in reducing their carbon footprints. Farmless is pioneering a new interface between food and electricity, leveraging specific microbes chosen for their desirable food properties to drive sustainable food production.

Novel Farms, Inc. is a Berkeley, California-based company founded in 2020 that specializes in the production of cell-based meat delicacies. It focuses on developing cruelty-free, low-cost, and tunable bioscaffolds through microbial fermentation and proprietary tissue engineering technology. The company's mission is to create gourmet meat alternatives that replicate the taste and texture of conventional meats, appealing to a new generation of conscious consumers. By producing whole-muscle cuts of cultivated meat, Novel Farms aims to make synthetic meat-based delicacies accessible and desirable, transforming the consumption of cell-based meat into a sought-after culinary experience.

Loki Foods is a company dedicated to producing plant-based seafood that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing practices. Focused on creating high-quality, nutritious products, Loki Foods specializes in plant-based options that are rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential vitamins. The company aims to deliver seafood alternatives that not only match the nutritional value of conventional seafood but also excel in taste, texture, and cookability, all while remaining affordable. Through its innovative approach, Loki Foods seeks to contribute to a more sustainable food system by providing consumers with health-conscious choices that align with environmentally friendly practices.

High Time Foods is a producer of innovative plant-based meat alternatives designed for foodservice operators. The company specializes in shelf-stable, moldable products that serve as substitutes for traditional meat, with its flagship offering being a plant-based chicken alternative that does not require refrigeration. This versatility allows the product to be integrated into various cuisines, catering to diverse culinary needs. By providing nutritious and cost-effective options, High Time Foods aims to enhance efficiency across the value chain while promoting sustainability by enabling customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in markets lacking cold supply chain infrastructure.

Umaro Foods focuses on creating a sustainable plant-based protein derived from ocean-farmed seaweed. The company aims to provide an alternative to traditional animal products by offering nutritious and flavorful food options, including crispy and umami-rich bacon alternatives. By leveraging seaweed farming, Umaro seeks to promote a more humane treatment of animals while also supporting environmental sustainability. The innovative approach positions seaweed as a viable and scalable source of protein, which can surpass traditional soy production, contributing to a thriving planet.

Loki Foods is a company dedicated to producing plant-based seafood that offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing practices. Focused on creating high-quality, nutritious products, Loki Foods specializes in plant-based options that are rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and essential vitamins. The company aims to deliver seafood alternatives that not only match the nutritional value of conventional seafood but also excel in taste, texture, and cookability, all while remaining affordable. Through its innovative approach, Loki Foods seeks to contribute to a more sustainable food system by providing consumers with health-conscious choices that align with environmentally friendly practices.

De Novo Foodlabs specializes in developing animal-free dairy products and proteins that offer nutritional profiles identical to cow's milk. The company employs precision fermentation technology to create innovative ingredients that are sustainable, vegan, and free from antibiotics. By integrating bioinformatics and advanced biotechnology, De Novo Foodlabs modifies the functionality of proteins and essential nutrients, ensuring that its offerings are not only healthier for consumers but also easier to produce and less harmful to the environment. This approach allows food companies to take a phased strategy in creating healthier and more sustainable products for their customers.

Evo Foods is a Mumbai-based food processing company founded in 2019 that specializes in producing plant-based liquid egg alternatives. The company’s primary product is a 100% plant-based liquid egg made from lentil protein, moong beans, and peas, designed to replicate the texture and taste of traditional eggs while being free from cholesterol and antibiotics. Utilizing proprietary patent-pending technology, Evo Foods aims to provide a nutritious alternative to animal products, offering high protein content and essential micronutrients such as Vitamin B12. Through innovative science and technology, the company seeks to lead the development of next-generation plant-based alternatives in the food market.

MeliBio, Inc. is a technology-driven company based in Oakland, California, founded in 2020 by Aaron M. Schaller, PhD, and Darko Mandich. The company specializes in producing vegan nectar products that serve as a molecularly identical alternative to traditional honey. By employing advancements in plant biology, precision fermentation, and synthetic biology, MeliBio creates honey without the involvement of bees, aiming to mitigate the negative impact of commercial bee farming on biodiversity. In 2023, MeliBio launched its consumer-facing brand, Mellody, further expanding its market presence. Recognized by TIME as one of the Best Inventions of 2021, MeliBio is committed to providing sustainable and innovative solutions in the food industry.

Veggie Victory is Nigeria's first plant-based food technology company, focusing on providing healthy and sustainable food options through its vegetarian restaurant. The company offers a variety of plant-based meats and meals designed to promote a healthier lifestyle while addressing food security, environmental, and socio-economic challenges in Africa. By delivering affordable and delicious plant-based products, Veggie Victory aims to enhance the dining experience for customers and encourage a shift towards more sustainable eating habits.

MeliBio, Inc. is a technology-driven company based in Oakland, California, founded in 2020 by Aaron M. Schaller, PhD, and Darko Mandich. The company specializes in producing vegan nectar products that serve as a molecularly identical alternative to traditional honey. By employing advancements in plant biology, precision fermentation, and synthetic biology, MeliBio creates honey without the involvement of bees, aiming to mitigate the negative impact of commercial bee farming on biodiversity. In 2023, MeliBio launched its consumer-facing brand, Mellody, further expanding its market presence. Recognized by TIME as one of the Best Inventions of 2021, MeliBio is committed to providing sustainable and innovative solutions in the food industry.

POW! Foods specializes in creating nutritious, plant-based meat substitutes designed to mimic the flavor and texture of traditional animal products while maintaining a lower fat content and higher protein levels. The company utilizes natural ingredients such as pea proteins, algae extracts, and dietary fibers to develop its offerings. This innovative approach caters to consumers seeking a sustainable and ethical alternative to meat, allowing them to enjoy a similar culinary experience without compromising their dietary choices. By focusing on scientific development and combining various plant-based ingredients, POW! Foods aims to provide a more efficient and health-conscious way of consuming food.

Evo Foods is a Mumbai-based food processing company founded in 2019 that specializes in producing plant-based liquid egg alternatives. The company’s primary product is a 100% plant-based liquid egg made from lentil protein, moong beans, and peas, designed to replicate the texture and taste of traditional eggs while being free from cholesterol and antibiotics. Utilizing proprietary patent-pending technology, Evo Foods aims to provide a nutritious alternative to animal products, offering high protein content and essential micronutrients such as Vitamin B12. Through innovative science and technology, the company seeks to lead the development of next-generation plant-based alternatives in the food market.