Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in alternative protein companies. Alternative proteins come from sources other than animals, such as plants, fungi, and algae.
Investing in Alternative Proteins
Interest in alternative protein companies is driven by several factors, including health concerns, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. Several companies are developing innovative products and technologies related to alternative proteins.
The Landscape of Alternative Proteins
The alternative protein market can be broadly divided into three categories: plant-based proteins, lab-grown (or cultured) meats, and insect-based proteins.
Plant-based proteins are made from crops such as soybeans, peas, rice, and wheat.
These ingredients are then processed into various forms, such as powders, concentrates, flours, and isolates.
Plant-based protein products are typically used as substitutes for animal-based meat products, such as burgers, sausages, and chicken nuggets. Some of the best-known brands in this space include Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
Lab-grown meats are made by culturing animal cells in a controlled environment.
This process allows the creation of real meat products without raising and slaughtering animals. Lab-grown meats are not yet commercially available, but they are expected to hit store shelves within the next few years.
Some of the companies leading the charge in this space include Memphis Meats and SuperMeat.
Insects are a source of protein often overlooked, but they offer several advantages over other protein sources, including being more environmentally sustainable and efficient to produce.
Insects can be turned into food products, such as flour, protein bars, and burgers.
Some companies exploring this space include Aspire Food Group and Entomo Farms.
Investment Opportunities in Alternative Protein Companies
One company that is making waves in the world of plant-based proteins is Beyond Meat. Beyond Meat's flagship product is its plant-based burger patty, which looks and tastes very similar to ground beef but is made entirely from plants.
The company has seen explosive growth in recent years, with sales increasing by 700% in 2017 alone! Beyond Meat has also attracted high-profile investors, including Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Another company that is worth watching is Memphis Meats. Memphis Meats is one of the leading companies working on lab-grown meat products.
The company has managed to produce several different types of lab-grown meat products, including chicken nuggets and beef strips.
In February 2018, Memphis Meats raised $161 million from investors, including Bill Gates and Richard Branson.
A New Way of Eating- Why You Should Consider Alternative Proteins
Meat consumption is on the rise globally. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, world meat production is projected to increase by over 60% by 2050.
The demand for alternative proteins is also growing as consumers become more conscientious of their diets and their impact on their health and the environment.
1. Health Benefits
One main reason people consume alternative proteins is for the health benefits. Meats, particularly red meats, have been linked to increased cholesterol levels, heart disease, and cancer.
Alternatively, plant-based proteins are low in saturated fat and cholesterol and are a good source of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain phytochemicals that can protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
2. Environmentally Friendly
The production of meat requires large amounts of land, water, and fossil fuels. The livestock sector is one of the most significant contributors to environmental problems, including global warming, land degradation, air pollution, and water scarcity.
Alternatively, plant-based proteins require significantly less land and water than animal-based proteins. They also generate little to no greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Economic Benefits
The price of meat has been rising due to increased demand and the cost of production. The price of beef has risen by over 40% since 2015, while poultry prices have increased by 20%. The price rise has caused many people to turn to alternative proteins, which are typically cheaper than meat.
For example, a pound of ground beef typically costs around $5, while a pound of soy protein costs around $2.50. Insects are also a promising alternative protein as they are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids and can be produced for as little as $6 a pound.
How the Food Tech Industry is Revolutionizing the Way, We Eat
Anyone who's ever tried a new cuisine knows that food can be a source of adventure. But for most people, the busyness of day-to-day life means that meals are more about convenience than exploration. That's where the food tech industry and alternative protein companies come in.
From new ways of growing and preparing food to apps that make it easier to find and order meals, this rapidly growing industry is making it easier than ever for people to enjoy a variety of delicious foods from all over the world without ever leaving their homes. Here's a look at some of the ways the food tech industry is changing the way we eat.
Precision Agriculture
One of the biggest challenges facing alternative protein companies and the food industry today is how to produce enough food to feed a rapidly growing world population while using fewer resources. That's where precision agriculture comes in.
Using things like drones, sensors, and GPS technology, farmers are now able to target their crops with water, fertiliser, and other inputs. This results in less waste and higher yields, which is good news for farmers and consumers.
Indoor Farming
Another way the alternative protein industry is changing how we eat is by making it possible to grow crops indoors year-round. This is especially valuable in places with harsh climates or limited land resources.
Indoor farms also benefit from being protected from things like pests and weather damage. And because they can be located closer to cities, they can reduce transportation costs and emissions.
Food Delivery Apps
One of the most visible ways the food tech industry is changing how we eat through the proliferation of food delivery apps. These apps make it easy to find and order meals from your favourite restaurants with just a few taps on your smartphone.
They've also made it possible for people to enjoy a wider variety of cuisines by delivering meals from restaurants that might be too far away to visit. And for busy people who don't have time to cook, they provide a convenient way to get healthy meals without having to go to the grocery store or spend hours in the kitchen.
The Top 5 From The Alternative Proteins Industry You Need to Know About
With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the need for sustainable food sources has never been more pressing. The good news is that alternative protein companies are working on developing alternative proteins that have the potential to make a significant impact. Here are five of the most promising projects in this space.
1. Perfect Day – Animal-Free Dairy Products
Founded in 2014, Perfect Day is a company that uses fermentation to produce animal-free dairy proteins. These proteins can then create dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream without the need for cows. The company is already selling its products commercially and has partnerships with several major food brands, including Dean Foods and Equal Exchange, and others cultivated meat companies.
2. Memphis Meats – Lab-Grown Meat Products
Among cultivated meat companies, Memphis Meats is a startup working on developing lab-grown meat products. The company was founded in 2015 and has since raised over $161 million from investors like Bill Gates and Richard Branson. Memphis Meats has created several prototypes for products like chicken nuggets and beef burgers, and it plans to bring these products to market in the next few years.
3. Impossible Foods – Plant-Based Meat Products
Impossible Foods is well known among cultivated meat companies; it is a company that makes plant-based meat products. The company was founded in 2011 to make it impossible for consumers to differentiate between its plant-based and actual meat products. Impossible Foods has raised over $750 million from investors like Bill Gates and Google Ventures.
4. Beyond Meat – Plant-Based Meat Products
Considering the alternative protein industry and the global alternative protein companies, Beyond Meat is another company that makes plant-based meat products. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat has partnerships with several major food brands, including Tyson Foods and Nestle. Beyond Meat went public in 2019 and is now valued at over $3 billion.
5. AquaVenture – Desalination Plants
AquaVenture is a company that provides water desalination plants for both commercial and residential use. The company was founded in 2007 and has since installed over 1,000 desalination plants around the world. AquaVenture’s technology is designed to be energy efficient and eco-friendly, making it a sustainable option for water production.
The Future of Food: Protein Synthesis
The way we obtain our food is changing. In the past, most people got their food through hunting and gathering or agriculture. However, with the advent of technology, we can now synthetically create food. This process is known as protein synthesis, and it has the potential to revolutionise the food industry.
Protein synthesis is the process of
creating proteins from amino acids. Amino acids are the building
blocks of proteins, and they can be found in all sorts of food,
including meat, dairy, grains, and even vegetables. In the
laboratory, amino acids are combined to create proteins that are then
used to develop new foods.
Protein synthesis is the central pillar of alternative proteins and alternative protein investments and the foundation of the overall alternative protein industry.
Alternative Proteins and Plant Based Meat
One of the advantages of protein
synthesis is that it allows us to create new types of food that are impossible to create through traditional means.
For example, we can now create vegetarian meats or dairy-free cheeses. We can also make foods that are tailored to meet specific nutritional needs.
Another advantage of alternative proteins synthesis
is that it is much more efficient than traditional food production methods. On a conventional farm, a cow must consume vast quantities
of grains and other plants to produce a small amount of meat
or milk.
However, in a lab setting, we can take the amino acids from
a few plants and use them to create a much more significant amount of meat or
milk.
This means that we can produce more food with less land and fewer resources.
The Top 5 Most Innovative Agricultural Technologies
The agricultural industry is one of the
world's oldest and most important. Food production is
essential to the survival of our species, and the development of new
technologies in agriculture has always been a top priority for
societies everywhere.
In recent years, there have been some
incredible breakthroughs in agricultural technology that are revolutionising the way we grow food.
Here are five of the most innovative agricultural technologies currently changing the game.
1. Drones
One of the most fascinating and
rapidly-growing areas of agricultural technology is the use of drones
for crop mapping and yield analysis. Using sophisticated sensors and
camera equipment, drones can quickly and accurately assess crop
health, growth rates, and yield potential.
This information can then be used by farmers to make real-time decisions about irrigation, fertilizer applications, and crop rotations. What's more, drone-based mapping systems are becoming more affordable every day, making them an increasingly attractive option for farmers of all sizes.
2. Vertical Farming
With the world's population projected to surpass 9 billion by 2050, the need for efficient food production systems is more significant than ever. Vertical farming is a type of agriculture that involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers in a controlled environment.
This approach uses far less land than
traditional farming methods and can even be done indoors using
artificial lighting and climate control systems.
What's more, vertical farms can be designed to use hydroponic or aeroponic systems, which further reduces water usage. As water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, vertical farming may become one of the only viable options for feeding the world's growing population.
3. Genetically Modified Crops
Genetically modified crops (GMCs) are
plants modified at the genetic level to
improve specific traits, such as resistance to pests or tolerance to
herbicides.
GMCs are one of the most controversial topics in
agriculture today, but there's no denying that they have the
potential to revolutionise food production.
GMCs are already being used on a large scale in many countries worldwide, and their use is expected to increase in coming years as more and more countries lift bans on their cultivation.
4. Automated Machines
Technology is changing almost every
aspect of our lives, and agriculture is no exception. Farm equipment
is becoming increasingly automated, with machines that can plant,
harvest, and grade crops with little human intervention.
While some people worry about the implications of automation for jobs in agriculture, there's no denying that it can increase efficiency and significantly decrease costs across the industry. In a world where food prices are constantly on the rise, anything that can make food production cheaper and more efficient is sure to be a game-changer.
5 . Blockchain Technology
One of the most talked-about emerging
technologies is the blockchain. And its potential applications in
agriculture are vast . While still very much in its infancy,
blockchain could someday be used for tracking provenance, ensuring
food safety, streamlining supply chains , reducing fraudulent
activity , and much more .
Obviously , blockchain won’t be solving all of agriculture’s problems overnight — but it’s definitely worth paying attention to as it continues to develop.
The Good Food Institute - What We Do and Why It Matters
The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the world by accelerating the shift from animal-based to plant-based foods. We do this through research, advocacy, and hands-on support for start-ups, alternative protein investments and the alternative protein industry.
Their ultimate goal is a future food system in which delicious and nutritious plant-based foods are affordable, convenient, and accessible to everyone.
How The Good Food Institute Works
The Good Food Institute works at the intersection of the business, policy, and scientific communities to create opportunities for plant-based innovation that did not previously exist.
Conducting novel scientific research to identify critical barriers impeding progress in developing plant-based meat, dairy, and eggs. Advocating for supportive government policies, providing incubation and technical assistance resources—such as our intensive StartupSupport program—to entrepreneurs working on cutting-edge plant-based innovations.
The Challenge: Can We Build a Carbon-Neutral Food System?
The support activity of the Good Food Institute addresses this challenge too.
Most agricultural emissions, particularly dairy cows and beef cattle, come from livestock production.
These animals release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through their digestive process.
In addition, agricultural land clearing and fertiliser use also contribute to emissions. As global demand for meat and dairy products continues to grow, so will emissions from the farming sector.
One solution that has been proposed is a shift toward alternative proteins, such as plant-based meat products.
These products have a much lower carbon footprint than traditional meat products, and some can even closely mimic the taste and texture of animal-based meat products. In addition, better management of agricultural land can also help to reduce emissions.
For example, practices like no-till farming can help to sequester carbon in the soil and reduce deforestation. Better management of fertiliser use can also help to reduce emissions.
This is one of the main reasons why the Good Food Institute promotes and supports alternative protein investments and plant-based meat. To create a carbon-neutral food system that benefits all.
Maybe it's also the reason why alternative protein investments reached $5 billion in 2021.
Synthesis Capital - Investing in the Future of Food
Synthesis Capital is a venture capital firm specialising in food and agriculture technology investments. We connect investors with early-stage companies developing innovative solutions to the world's most pressing food and agricultural challenges.
The global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and the demand for food will also continue to increase. However, current agricultural practices are not sustainable and cannot meet the future needs of the world's population.
That's why we believe investing in food and agriculture technology is essential to ensuring a secure and sustainable food supply for future generations.
The Problem with Current Agricultural Practices
The United Nations estimates that we will need to increase food production by 70% by 2050 to meet the demands of the world's growing population. However, current agricultural practices are not sustainable and cannot meet future demand.
Agriculture significantly contributes to climate change, accounting for 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It uses 70% freshwater resources and is responsible for deforestation, species loss, and soil degradation.
To ensure a secure and sustainable food supply for future generations, we must find more efficient and environmentally friendly ways of producing food.
The role of Technology in Improving Agricultural Practices
Agricultural technology has the potential to address many of the challenges posed by traditional farming practices.
For example, precision agriculture uses sensors, GPS systems, and other data-driven approaches to improve crop yields while reducing inputs such as water, fertiliser, and pesticides.
Other promising technologies include renewable energy systems, vertical farming, and alternative proteins.
Vertical farming is an approach to agriculture that involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers in controlled environments.
This farming uses less land than traditional agriculture, requires less water, and can be done year-round regardless of the weather outside. Alternative proteins are plant-based or lab-grown meat products with a more minor environmental impact than traditional animal husbandry.
The Future of Food Production
Synthesis Capital is committed to investing in early-stage companies developing innovative solutions to the world's most pressing food and agricultural challenges.
We believe technology will be vital in improving farming practices and ensuring a secure and sustainable food supply for future generations.
If you are interested in learning more about our investment portfolio or becoming one of our investors, please get in touch with us today.