Fast-tracking plant-based start-ups through industry collaboration
Scale It Up!
Bühler, Cargill, Givaudan and Puris joined forces to find and accelerate plant-based-protein start-ups — and let them keep their IP. One winner raised $7M after the programme.
The Challenge
New food products have to be tested at large-scale facilities, so start-ups depend on access most of them don't have. Corporates, meanwhile, need outside innovation to keep pace with changing consumer demand and sustainability pressures — internal R&D alone is too slow. Both sides needed each other.
What we did
Nosco helped the partners plan, launch and execute an open innovation challenge inviting plant-based-protein start-ups. After a selection process and pitches, the top five gained access to partner facilities to build a proof of concept, and — unusually for a corporate programme — retained full ownership of any new IP. Nosco developed a dedicated brand and website for the initiative, promoted it across the consortium's networks and social channels, and ran the platform used to collect, evaluate and connect projects. Nosco also supported the consortium in running, facilitating screening and maturation workshops.
Results
The US edition completed in 2021. Its winner, Nowadays (plant-based chicken), used the profile to secure a further $7M in funding and has grown its market presence since. The European edition drew 40 submissions, with five projects selected to visit facilities and build proofs of concept.
