Source: Cosun Connect
We're excited to share the results of the Open Call: Plant based protein solutions competition that concluded in our finale event last August. It was a showcase of innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit, and we want to thank all participating teams.
What was the challenge about?
Cosun's mission is to contribute to the protein transition with high quality protein ingredients and thereby contribute to the shift from the consumption of animal proteins to vegetable and other new protein sources. Therefor they called upon all startups and scale-ups with plant-based and fermentation-based protein alternatives to collaborate, accelerate en bring new solutions to market!
The selected startups are...
In a highly competitive field, we proudly recognize and celebrate the achievements of the top three teams:
1st Place: Reinvent Protein
Plant proteins have limited application because of their poor functionality, off-flavours and low nutritional quality. With our hydrolysis and fermentation platform, we tackle all three challenges at once, thereby providing a clean-label plant protein hydrolysate that has a wide application range including high protein and liquid products. It is highly soluble, it has neutral taste and it has maximal nutritional quality (PDCAAS>0.9).
2nd Place: Terra Bioindustries
Terra Bioindustries has created an upcycling platform that turns agro-industrial byproducts into value added products. We're starting with Brewers Spent Grain as a feedstock. Protina is the first unhydrolyzed spent grain protein that can be integrated into food products (current target markets: baking, snack bars).
3rd Place: Symbiagro
We create sustainable and symbiotic strategies for arable crop production to improve yield and soil fertility. We use specific microbial biostimulants that can be integrated in Cosun's agriculture production and industrial transformation processes.
A plant-positive future
Congratulations to them and kudos to all participants for their hard work and passion.
As we move forward, we eagerly anticipate further developments and collaboration with these entrepreneurs. Together, we aim to unlock the full potential of alternative proteins, driving innovation and sustainable solutions for a brighter future, so stay tuned!