ProVeg and Beyond Animal host New Food Invest in March

Virtual summit on 18 March will connect stakeholders, investors, and start-ups from the alternative protein space that focus on plant-based or cultured alternatives

Food awareness organisation ProVeg International and sustainable economy platform Beyond Animal have joined forces for New Food Invest, a virtual summit to take place on 18 March.

The event has been designed to allow participants to connect with key stakeholders, investors, and start-ups from the alternative protein space that are focusing on plant-based and/or cultured alternatives, including meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy.

The organisers anticipate attendance from institutional investors and venture capitalists, as well as angel investors and qualified individual investors.

Commenting on the potential impact of the event, Dhanesh Kothari, co-founder of Beyond Animal, said: “Through our digital platform, we can bring together the entire value chain of plant-based producers and connect them with capital providers.

“By combining the power of the network with interested funders, we have the tools at our disposal to create a kinder, cleaner, healthier world.”

The virtual summit aims to leverage the most promising developments currently taking place in the alternative protein space. It will be the world’s first online conference that focuses exclusively on bringing together international plant-based and cultured-food start-ups, investors, and key stakeholders in the food industry.

This impactful combination will promote and accelerate future protein solutions and re-shape the future of food.

“We are thrilled to provide a forum to connect investors with passionate entrepreneurs who are dedicated to changing the world for the better,” said Jens Tuider, international director of ProVeg International.

Tuider noted that scientific research has shown that alternative-protein solutions play a significant role and serve as a solution in terms of mitigating climate change, improving environmental and animal protection, and minimising the risk of pandemics. “Our event format will offer the most efficient environment for investors and start-ups to connect.”

New Food Invest: Helping to build the food solutions of the future

The Covid-19 crisis has clearly shown the urgent need to accelerate food-system change by investing in animal-free solutions. The alternative protein investment sector is experiencing rapid growth, with more than 20 meat-alternative start-ups having raised about $1.4 billion from venture investors in the first seven months of 2020, according to London-based investor network FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return).

FAIRR reported that key drivers of climate change and food safety are leading markets away from animal farming and toward better alternatives – with investors targeting investment opportunities that are both sustainable and scalable, and consumers increasingly shifting towards plant-based foods.

The alternative protein sector has become increasingly attractive to institutional investors, venture capitalists, angel investors, and individual investors in the face of increasing demand.

Additionally, burgeoning investor interest is encouraging more start-ups and first-to-market entrepreneurs to develop innovative protein solutions.

Due to the virtual format of the conference, attendants will be safe. Additionally, there will be no need to travel to an event venue, thus dramatically reducing carbon emissions, compared to traditional event formats.

New Food Invest is a sister brand to the New Food Conference, Europe’s leading summit on alternative protein. Organisers anticipate that more than 400 people will attend the virtual summit from around the world.

To participate in New Food Invest, get additional information, and secure your ticket, please visit www.new-food-invest.com.