Top 10 VCs leading the plantbased, Alt-protein, vegan movement in Asia
?? Shreya Ghodawat ? ??
Sustainability Strategist | Vegan Entrepreneur | Podcast Host | Advisor | Gender x Climate Activist | Public Speaker
The global food system faces severe shortages due to aggravating climate crises, the strain on existing ecological resources, fluctuation in the world economy, and geopolitical discord. As per Mckinsey’s report, one of the ways to build its resilience is by adopting and developing alternative meat and smart proteins.?
The alt-protein market is significantly growing: plant-based foods will account for $162 billion of the $2.1 trillion total global protein market by 2030.
Western startups in the alt-protein space have seen significant investments. However, the industry has realised that a one-size-fits-all approach to food consumption is far from sustainable.?
Consequently, venture capital firms in Asia or the ones exclusively focusing on Asian markets are increasingly funding Asian startups that cater to glocal palates. Hence, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the largest contributor of plant-based foods at $64.8 billion, ahead of North America and Europe.?
Here are 10 venture capitalists driving investments in plant-based alt-protein in Asia.?
Good Startup, Singapore
Raised US$34 million for sustainable food ecosystems through alternative protein startups.?
Team:?
Led by Gautam Godhwani and Jayesh Parekh
Key value proposition:
Good Protein Fund, a subsidiary of Good Startup, is a multi-stage, borderless fund for facilitating growth in the alt-protein sector.?
Some startups invested in:
Better Bite Ventures, Singapore
Supporting early-stage founders in the alternative protein market with a recently launched US$15 million fund.??
Team:?
Led by Michael Klar and Simon Newstead
Key value proposition:
One-of-a-kind VC fund dedicated to the alt-protein market in APAC, harnessing plant-based and cellular agriculture technologies.?
Some startups invested in:
GROW, Singapore
19 companies have graduated from GROW’s Impact Accelerator cohort since its launch in 2019 and raised over US$ 20 million during or soon after the programme.?
Team:?
Led by Dr. Christine Pitt and Michael Dean?
Key value proposition:
Southeast Asia’s first dedicated agri food tech accelerators investing in alt-protein startups.?
Some startups invested in:
Temasek, Singapore
Established the Asia Sustainable Foods Platform to address the challenges of scaling up alternative protein production.?
Team:
Led by Dilhan Pillay and CHIA Song Hwee?
Key value proposition:
Incorporated in 1974 and invested over US$8 billion in global farm-to-fork space.?
Some startups invested in:
Ahimsa VC, India
India’s first plant-based VC investing in early-stage startups with pre-seed and seed investments.?
Team:?
Composed of a team of advisors and notable investors:
Siddharth Kothari, Jay Karandikar, Shaleen Shah, Sandeep Sibal, Parag Agarwal, Sethu Vaidyanathan, Jinesh Shah, Sushanto Mitra, and?Pranav Rajkumar
Key value proposition:
India’s only impact VC fund disrupting animal agriculture by investing in the future of food, materials and more.?
Startups invested in:
领英推荐
Brinc, Hong Kong
Closed a US$130 million series B fundraise in 2021 and announced the US$50 million Sandbox Metaverse Accelerator Program in 2022.?
Team:?
Key value proposition:
A different breed of VC believing in entrepreneurs or GAME CHANGERS for positive impact.?
Some startups invested in:
Green Monday, Hong Kong
Launched in 2012, won the Roddenberry Prize in 2018 and recognised as ‘Change the World Company’ by Fortune in 2020.?
Team:?
Founded by David Yeung and Jenny NG?
Key value proposition:
Multi-pronged social venture model championing plant-based diet for at least one day each week.?
Some startups invested in:
Dao Foods, China
Dao Foods Incubator initiative to support and invest in 25-30 China-focused alternative protein ventures.?
Team:?
Founded by Tao Zhang and Albert Tseng?
Key value proposition:
Working to change the nascency of alternative and plant-based proteins in China.?
Some startups invested in:
Hanaco Ventures, Israel
56 investments, US$67 million round size and 33 companies in the portfolio to date.
Team:?
Led by Alon Lifshitz, Lior Prosor and Pasha Romanovski
Key value proposition:
Invests in emerging and late-stage startups, helping them become category leaders.?
Some startups invested in:
Vegan Africa Fund, Africa
A pioneering investor group aiming to empower Africa’s regenerative agriculture, alternative materials, and food technology businesses.
Team:?
Founded by Sunny Satva
Key value proposition:
Powered by VAF crypto, an impact token and tradeable asset for vegan foods
Some startups invested in:
?
Other significant players in the Alternative Protein Space
Singapore: VisVires New Protein, ID Capital, Teja Ventures, Innovate 360
India:?Omnivore Partners, AltX Ventures
China: Bits x Bites
Japan: Beyond Next Ventures
Philippines: Monde Nissin
In conclusion
The current food system needs an overhaul with healthier and more sustainable options. Alternative proteins are a purposeful solution. The switch to plant-based protein will save as much carbon emissions as Japan releases in a single year, enough water supply lasting 40 years for London and safeguarding food security.?
The alternative protein market will grow 7x its current size, making up 11% of the total protein market.?
Keeping in line with its growth, VCs in Asia will continue investing in alt-protein businesses aimed at solving the world’s problems.?
Om Kothari Group | Stocks | Startups
2 年Great post Shreya! Thanks for the shout out to Ahimsa VC glad to be listed along side the other solid funds in this growing sector where we all will make massive impact along with alpha returns