EIT FAN 2022 Cohort: Alternative Proteins

EIT Food have selected 61 startups from across Europe to be part of the 2022 EIT Food Accelerator Network! We're taking a look at this year's EIT FAN cohort, starting with the startups that fall within the focus area of Alternative Proteins.

Read on to discover the 16 Alternative Protein startups from the 2022 EIT FAN cohort:

1. Bosque Foods- ‘You’ve never tasted mushrooms like this’

Bosque Foods from Germany is leveraging the power of fungi to create better-than-meat whole-cut products. Bosque Foods’ unique process allows them to cultivate pure mycelium and use it as the main ingredient for their whole-cut meat alternatives. Find out more here: https://www.bosquefoods.com/?

2. Bright Biotech- ‘We transform plants into engines that produce high-value proteins’’

Bright Biotech from the United Kingdom has developed a game-changing innovative technology which uses chloroplasts to express high amounts of high-value proteins in plants. Chloroplast expression is light-driven making it sustainable and is animal- and microbial-free. Check them out here: https://www.brightbiotech.co.uk/?

3. Cano-ela- ‘Join us in our mission to remove refined ingredients’

From the Netherlands, Cano-ela has a newly developed process that enables the gentle fractionate of oil- rich seeds into 3 innovative ingredients. These ingredients are not only more sustainable and healthier than the current alternatives, but they can also aid food companies to remove between 3 to 5 other ingredients from their current formulation. Find out more here: https://www.cano-ela.com/?

4. Fabumin- ‘An innovative, ecological & sustainable multi-functional raw material’

Following their success with the development of cheese substitutes in the "Human Nature" project, Israeli startup Fabumin is developing an innovative and sustainable raw material that is a substitute for egg protein. Connect with them here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/fabumin/about/?

5. Gavan Technologies- ‘Re-imagine natural protein’

Based in Israel, Gavan Technologies’ proprietary technology extracts high purity proteins from the source while maintaining their physical structure unharmed and preserving their high functionality. Find out more here: https://www.gavan.bio/?

6. Innomy- ‘A new generation of meat alternatives’

From Spain, Innomy has created a platform of finished fungi-based meat products that replicates the experience of eating meat in a natural and healthy way with the benefits of the fungi kingdom. Discover more here: https://innomylabs.com/?

7. Koralo- Carbon neutral, nutritious vegan fish

Koralo from Germany, is developing a patent-pending co-fermentation technology that is unique as it mimics nature. Koralo combines microalgae as a raw material for a traditional fermentation leading directly to a fish alternative raw product without further major processing needs. Check them out here: https://koralo-foods.com/?

8. LibreFoods- Meat from mushrooms

In Spain, LibreFoods is leveraging the entire fungi organism to get as close to meat in taste and texture. LibreFoods is taking advantage of the umami taste and aroma of the fruiting bodies, and the unique, fibrous texture that the root system or mycelium offers. Find out more here: https://www.librefoods.co/?

9. MEALA- ‘Clean bite, real taste’

Based in Israel, MEALA is revolutionising the plant-based protein industry by developing innovative ingredients and processes that allow the creation of cleaner, healthier, and tastier products with a better ecological footprint. MEALA has developed a proprietary technology that uses natural processes to create the meaty texture and juiciness mimicking the animal-based origin. Connect with them here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/meala-foodtech/?

10. MicroHarvest- ‘Smaller, better, faster- protein made from bacteria’

German startup MicroHarvest is a biotech company on a mission to provide better, healthier, and tastier protein, produced sustainably using the power of microorganisms. MicroHarvest’s proprietary technology enables using bacteria to produce protein in a much faster way than existing approaches. The single cell protein and its derivatives are highly nutritious and can be used along the whole protein value chain - ranging from animal feed to direct application in food and pet food. Discover more here: https://microharvest.com/?

11. Mk2 Biotechnologies- Peptides for mass application

From Germany, Mk2 Biotechnologies has developed a ground-breaking synthesis platform for the production of high purity peptides and small proteins on large scales and at low cost, respectively for the first time enabling the application of those products in mass applications. Find out more here: https://mk2.bio/?

12. PROTe-IN- ‘In nature we trust’

From Israel, PROTe-IN is developing a unique continuous fermentation of nonpathogenic bacteria utilising C02: this industrial technology can be 3 times more efficient than fermentation in batches. Check them out here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/prote-in/?

13. SENNsenn- Plant based cheese

Based in Austria, SENNsenn has developed a plant-based cheese alternative using a process that involves the coagulation of a protein-matrix and a maturation period by lactic acid bacteria. Through this process SENNsenn can establish a creamy texture and an authentic aroma profile without using any thickening agents or artificial flavourings. Find out more here: https://www.sennsenn.at/?

14. Sib?- ‘Producing sustainable foods has never been so easy’?

Based in the Netherlands, Sib? is a biotechnology company focused on the development of clean, efficient, and sustainable insect-based bio-active components including protein, fats and chitosan, as highly functional food ingredients for food manufacturers. Discover more here: https://sibo-25138404.hubspotpagebuilder.eu/sibo-technology?

15. The VERY Food Co- ‘The switch to plant based made seamless’

French startup The VERY Food Co develops 100% plant-based functional ingredients that can replace eggs and dairy products in cooking and baking applications. Find out more here: https://www.theveryfood.co/?

16. V?cka Qu?seria- ‘Not your mum, not your milk’

From Spain, V?cka Qu?seria is elaborating delicious plant-based cheese respecting the traditional processes of cheesemaking, adding the values and technology of the 21st century. All products are fermented and aged in some cases. V?cka Qu?seria is using a special blend of legume proteins and vegetables to elaborate their cheeses, which makes them not only delicious but more innovative. Check them out here: https://vacka.es/?

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