Sustainable Food Ventures

Propel Foods is an innovative FoodTech startup that focuses on creating realistic plant-based and fungi-based alternative proteins, particularly with a Mexican culinary influence. By leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced food science, the company develops ready-to-eat frozen meals, including tacos, burgers, and chorizos, that prioritize health, nutrition, and sustainability. Propel Foods aims to provide delicious and affordable consumer packaged goods that appeal to both vegan and non-vegan audiences. The company’s mission centers on fostering a community of consumers who can contribute positively to the environment and local communities while enjoying tasty food options.

Farmless is a food technology startup focused on revolutionizing food production by decoupling it from traditional arable land. The company employs fermentation technology to transform renewable energy into a diverse range of food products, including proteins, carbohydrates, and beneficial fats. By utilizing a liquid feedstock derived from renewable sources, Farmless aims to produce carbon-negative proteins with a complete amino acid profile. This innovative approach not only enables the reduction of carbon footprints in food production but also offers a low-cost solution for protein generation at a planetary scale. Farmless seeks to create a sustainable interface between food and electricity by harnessing the potential of specially selected microbes known for their favorable food properties.

Novel Farms, Inc. is a company based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2020, that specializes in the production of cell-based meat products aimed at ethical consumers. Utilizing microbial fermentation and proprietary tissue engineering technology, Novel Farms develops cruelty-free and affordable 3D bioscaffolds, which enable the creation of structured meat products that replicate the taste and texture of traditional gourmet meats. The company focuses on making cell-based meat a desirable culinary option for a new generation of consumers, promoting a more sustainable and ethical approach to meat consumption. Through its innovative methods, Novel Farms seeks to achieve price parity with conventional meat, making its offerings accessible to a broader audience while transforming the future of food.

Loki Foods specializes in creating plant-based seafood products that offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing practices. The company focuses on developing Arctic-inspired foods that are high in nutrition, taste, and texture while remaining affordable. Its offerings are designed to be protein-rich and contain essential polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins, ensuring that they provide the same nutritional benefits as conventional seafood. By prioritizing sustainability and health, Loki Foods aims to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly food options.

High Time Foods specializes in producing shelf-stable, plant-based meat alternatives designed for foodservice operators. Their initial offering is a moldable chicken substitute that does not require refrigeration, making it versatile for various cuisines. The company aims to provide nutritious and cost-effective options while addressing challenges faced by markets with limited cold supply chain infrastructure. By offering these innovative products, High Time Foods enables customers to adopt sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Loki Foods specializes in creating plant-based seafood products that offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing practices. The company focuses on developing Arctic-inspired foods that are high in nutrition, taste, and texture while remaining affordable. Its offerings are designed to be protein-rich and contain essential polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins, ensuring that they provide the same nutritional benefits as conventional seafood. By prioritizing sustainability and health, Loki Foods aims to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly food options.

De Novo Foodlabs is a producer of animal-free dairy products and proteins, focusing on creating nutritionally identical alternatives to cow's milk. Utilizing precision fermentation technology, the company develops innovative ingredients that are sustainable, vegan, and free from antibiotics. Their protein innovation platform allows food companies to adopt a phased approach to product development, targeting healthier and more environmentally friendly food options. By combining bioinformatics with advanced biotechnology, De Novo modifies the functionality of proteins and essential nutrients, enabling the creation of nutrient-dense dairy alternatives that are easier to produce and have a lower environmental impact.

Evo Foods is a Mumbai-based food processing company that specializes in producing plant-based liquid eggs. Founded in 2019, the company has developed a 100% plant-based egg alternative using lentil protein, moong beans, and peas. This innovative product is designed to mimic the taste and texture of traditional eggs while being free from cholesterol and antibiotics. Evo Foods employs cutting-edge science and proprietary patent-pending technology to create its products, which are rich in protein and essential micronutrients, including Vitamin B12. By offering a plant-based substitute for animal products, Evo Foods aims to cater to the growing demand for healthier and more sustainable food options.

MeliBio, Inc. is a technology-driven company that focuses on producing vegan nectar products as a sustainable alternative to traditional honey. Founded in 2020 by Aaron M. Schaller, PhD, and Darko Mandich, MeliBio utilizes advancements in plant biology, precision fermentation, and synthetic biology to create honey without the involvement of bees, thereby addressing concerns related to biodiversity and the environmental impact of commercial beekeeping. The company, headquartered in Oakland, California, aims to provide food producers with molecularly identical nectar alternatives that are healthier and do not rely on bee farming. In 2023, MeliBio expanded its offerings by launching its consumer brand, Mellody, further promoting its innovative approach to honey production. TIME recognized MeliBio's pioneering methodology as one of the Best Inventions of 2021.

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 that focuses on producing vegan nectar products as a sustainable alternative to traditional honey. Founded in 2020 by Aaron M. Schaller, PhD, and Darko Mandich, MeliBio utilizes advancements in plant biology, precision fermentation, and synthetic biology to create honey without the involvement of bees, thereby addressing concerns related to biodiversity and the environmental impact of commercial beekeeping. The company, headquartered in Oakland, California, aims to provide food producers with molecularly identical nectar alternatives that are healthier and do not rely on bee farming. In 2023, MeliBio expanded its offerings by launching its consumer brand, Mellody, further promoting its innovative approach to honey production. TIME recognized MeliBio's pioneering methodology as one of the Best Inventions of 2021.

POW! Foods specializes in producing nutritious, animal-free food products that aim to replicate the flavor and texture of traditional meat. The company utilizes a blend of natural ingredients, including pea proteins, algae extracts, and dietary fibers from plants, to create plant-based meat substitutes. These products are designed to offer a more efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional meat consumption, allowing consumers to enjoy a satisfying culinary experience without relying on animal-derived ingredients. Through scientific development, POW! Foods focuses on delivering options that provide higher protein content and lower fat levels, catering to the growing demand for ethical and health-conscious food choices.

Evo Foods is a Mumbai-based food processing company that specializes in producing plant-based liquid eggs. Founded in 2019, the company has developed a 100% plant-based egg alternative using lentil protein, moong beans, and peas. This innovative product is designed to mimic the taste and texture of traditional eggs while being free from cholesterol and antibiotics. Evo Foods employs cutting-edge science and proprietary patent-pending technology to create its products, which are rich in protein and essential micronutrients, including Vitamin B12. By offering a plant-based substitute for animal products, Evo Foods aims to cater to the growing demand for healthier and more sustainable food options.