Following three successful programs in the US, Europe and Asia; Four industry giants — Buhler, Cargill, Givaudan and Puris — are launching Scale It Up! US 2023.
The challenge seeks to identify and support innovative startups working on plant-based proteins in North America, including Canada, the United States, Mexico and Latin America, as far as Panama.
The program aims to support plant-based protein startups to scale and commercialize their projects without any IP or equity. Selected groups will benefit from advice, funding and access to a network of industry experts.
Previous participants include Nowadays, a San Francisco-based plant-based meat company; MOA Foodtech, a Spanish startup Converting waste and by-products from the agri-food industry into next-generation protein; and fleshless realms, An Indonesian startup is making alt-meat products from mushrooms.
Plant-based protein space
The challenge is open to all startups working in the plant-based protein space. Their project must include:
- New protein sources for food ingredients or consumer products
- A new opportunity along the food value chain
- A solution that mimics the consumer meat and dairy experience
- A solution that has a unique flavor profile
- First version of a solution and a measurable amount of projects
- Committed to the sustainability and better use of the planet’s resources
For a measurable product
Among the submissions, fifteen startups will be invited to present their projects in a pitch session. Based on these results, five projects will be selected to look at partner benefits, develop a POC and pitch to the partner in November 2023.
Participating teams must be prepared to travel to partner facilities between July-November 2023 (expenses will be covered).
“It’s hard to make big steps into a scalable product that’s ready to launch from the first version. Scale it up! The Innovation Challenge helps your start-up accelerate and scale your project, product or solution”, says Scale it up! on its website.
To submit projects, startups can visit the Scale It Up! website and apply before May 17, 2023.