Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights into the food industry. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked plant-based food startups.
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 5 Top Plant-based Food Startups out of 624
The insights of this data-driven analysis are derived from the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2.093.000+ startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you an exhaustive overview of emerging technologies & relevant startups within a specific field in just a few clicks.
The Global Startup Heat Map below reveals the distribution of the 624 exemplary startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Further, it highlights 5 plant-based food startups that we hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. You get to explore the solutions of these 5 startups & scaleups in this report. For insights on the other 619 plant-based food solutions, get in touch.
The Very Good Butchers creates Plant-based Meats
The market for plant-based meats is increasing as consumers begin to accept them as a replacement for animal-based meat. However, the high cost of development and a small number of plant-based meat manufacturers and suppliers result in high prices. To this end, startups are creating plant-based meat alternatives to make them more affordable.
Canadian startup The Very Good Butchers provides plant-based meat products to both businesses and individuals. Their vegan meats are created using whole foods such as beans, grains, vegetables, herbs, and spices. This variety facilitates a wide range of plant-based meat types. In addition to meat, the startup also creates plant-based cheese.
Cerealthy provides Plant-based Oat Milk Creamer Pods
Dairy products such as milk are a staple of people’s diets. Moreover, animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change but occupies a key position in global food production. However, consumer trends are moving towards sustainability and alternatives to animal-based products influencing the food production process. Plant-based milk, while having high nutritional value, also provides an option for lactose-intolerant consumers as it does not trigger allergies. This boosts the expanding market of dairy alternatives. For example, startups develop plant-based milk coffee pods that are sustainable and tasty.
Spanish startup Cerealthy specializes in plant-based food and drink products. Their product, the VPOD, is a plant-based milk creamer pod made from biodegradable and compostable materials for use in coffee machines. The VPODs solve multiple challenges in the dairy industry such as lactose intolerance to animal milk, food waste from large milk cartons, and unethical animal milk production methods, among others.
Plantgusto develops a Plant Protein Platform
For plant-based substitutes to completely replace meat, it needs to have the same taste, texture, and presentation as meat. Hence, one of the biggest challenges of plant-based proteins is the time and cost involved in their development. Startups are developing platforms that are flexible and adaptable to the requirements rather than only being able to create a specific type of protein.
Finnish startup Plantgusto focuses on the research and development (R&D) of plant proteins to produce alternatives to animal meat. Their Flexible Plant Protein Platform (FP3) uses algorithmic functions that define combinations of plant ingredients to achieve specific textures. These textures match the type of animal meat, such as deli meat or other plant-based protein. The platform removes the requirement of high heat and pressure extrusion machines for meat while providing the flexibility to adapt to the demand.
Outstanding Foods offers Plant-based Snacks
Younger consumers are seeking healthy food choices and are open to purchasing newer and innovative plant-based food products. Currently, plant-based snacks often have inferior taste characteristics when compared with processed or junk foods. This either contributes to obesity or drives away potential customers. This is why startups are creating nutritious, plant-based snacks that provide the same or superior taste profiles and satisfaction as traditional snacks.
Outstanding Foods is a US-based startup that manufactures a range of plant-based snacks called Take Out. Each pack of the snack contains 21g of plant-based protein and 30% of the required daily intake of Iron, Calcium, Vitamins B12, B6, D, and E. Their product provides a healthy snack option to consumers who seek healthier snack options but are unwilling to compromise on the taste, texture, or quality.
Strive formulates Plant-based Protein Drinks
Plant-based proteins have a wide range of benefits including low calories, high fiber, and essential nutrients. They are also more sustainable for the environment compared to animal-based proteins. Plant-based meats are also a source of high protein but their cost keeps the product out of the hands of many buyers. For this reason, startups are creating protein drinks from pulses, lowering the product price while being more eco-friendly.
Indian startup Strive creates plant-based protein drinks. Its plant-based protein sources are mainly yellow peas that have a lower water footprint when compared to beef, chicken, or milk. Additionally, to maximize the sustainability of their product, the startup creates packaging from recyclable materials. Strive’s products are an affordable and high-value source of plant-based nutrition to consumers who choose to move away from animal-based meat.
Discover more FoodTech startups
FoodTech startups, such as the examples highlighted in this report, focus on plant-based meat, snacks, proteins, and milk. While all of these technologies play a major role in advancing sustainable food practices, they only represent the tip of the iceberg. To explore more food technologies, simply get in touch to let us look into your areas of interest. For a more general overview, you can download our free FoodTech Innovation Report to save your time and improve strategic decision-making.
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