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Species-agnostic

Solutions Database

Building alternative protein programs and majors at universities

To ensure a strong talent pipeline, there is a need to launch robust university programming, ranging from certificate programs to short multi-course modules, centered around alternative protein. Full majors would include food science and other enabling sciences that help propel alternative protein food technology forward, as well as interdisciplinary coursework providing historical, economic, and philosophical context for food technology. Shorter multi-course modules and non-major certificate programs (like minors) could focus on enabling sciences, interdisciplinary background subjects, and/or business strategies for transforming our food system.

  1. Academics
  2. Cultivated
  3. Ecosystem
  4. Fermentation
  5. GFI
  6. Industry
  7. Plant-Based
  8. R&D
  9. Science
  10. Species-agnostic
  11. Workforce
Solutions Database

Increasing the number, quality, and diversity of alternative protein-relevant university courses

There is a significant and urgent need to launch and support university and online courses in order to build and extend the talent pipeline of students going into the alternative protein industry. Coursework can range from introductory to highly specialized, and will ideally be focused specifically on alternative proteins, but support for degree programs in enabling sciences will also be useful to the industry. A platform for sharing curriculum across institutions will empower new entrants to more easily build their own alternative protein courses.

  1. Academics
  2. Cultivated
  3. Ecosystem
  4. Fermentation
  5. GFI
  6. Industry
  7. Plant-Based
  8. R&D
  9. Science
  10. Species-agnostic
  11. Workforce
Solutions Database

Fiber spinning innovations for improved plant protein texturization

Fibers from non-traditional texturization techniques like electrospinning, jet spinning, or blow spinning could impart texture throughout a product even if they don’t comprise the bulk of the end product, which may render these approaches economically viable for enhancing texture within a bulk product even at a relatively small scale.

  1. 2 - Early adoption
  2. Academics
  3. Commercial
  4. End product formulation & manufacturing
  5. End Products
  6. Industry
  7. Plant-Based
  8. Production
  9. R&D
  10. Raw Materials, Ingredients, & Inputs
  11. Research
  12. Species-agnostic
  13. Startups
Solutions Database

Coordination among investors with alternative protein industry-specific expertise

Investors specializing in alternative proteins should be leveraged to educate the broader investment community through coalitions, syndicated deals, and co-investments with industry-agnostic investors, and spearhead efforts to facilitate later-stage funding like debt and inventory financing.

  1. 2 - Early adoption
  2. Commercial
  3. Cultivated
  4. Ecosystem
  5. Fermentation
  6. GFI
  7. Industry
  8. Investment
  9. Investors
  10. Plant-Based
  11. Species-agnostic
  12. Startups
Solutions Database

Establishing student groups at key universities

Universities are epicenters for creative problem-solving and cutting-edge research advancements, and they can serve as engines for interdisciplinary innovation. However, this potential is not being tapped fully by the alternative protein industry. University student groups at key universities can foster robust, in-person communities for students and researchers interested in elevating the profile of alternative proteins within the academy. This will generate a talent pipeline of informed and empowered young people poised to enter the sector after their education while simultaneously spurring greater awareness and involvement among established faculty members.

  1. Academics
  2. Cultivated
  3. Demand Generation
  4. Donors
  5. Ecosystem
  6. Fermentation
  7. GFI
  8. NGO's
  9. Plant-Based
  10. R&D
  11. Species-agnostic
  12. Workforce
Solutions Database

Microbial strain-development contract research organizations for alternative protein applications

While emerging fermentation-derived ingredient companies often optimize their strain’s productivity in-house, it may be more efficacious for startups to engage contract research organizations with both deep microbial strain development expertise and also intimate familiarity with the unique considerations of the alternative protein sector.

  1. Commercial
  2. Ecosystem
  3. Fermentation
  4. Host strain development
  5. Industry
  6. Industry
  7. R&D
  8. Research
  9. Science
  10. Species-agnostic
  11. Startups
Solutions Database

Expanding private label plant-based offerings

Brands, dedicated private labelers, and co-manufacturers can take advantage of the private labeling opportunity, and would benefit from developing a wide range of products to fit every category and access to R&D to meet unique needs of customers.

  1. 2 - Early adoption
  2. Business Services
  3. Commercial
  4. Distribution Channels
  5. End product formulation & manufacturing
  6. End Products
  7. Fermentation
  8. Industry
  9. Industry
  10. Plant-Based
  11. Production
  12. Species-agnostic
Solutions Database

Plants as a recombinant protein expression platform

Plants can serve as expression platforms similar to microorganisms used as recombinant protein hosts. This may require minimal processing into value-added ingredients, such as egg and dairy functional proteins. Plants offer scalability with less need for expensive downstream purification to isolate proteins of interest from inedible or undesirable hosts.

  1. 2 - Early adoption
  2. Academics
  3. Commercial
  4. Crop development
  5. Industry
  6. Industry
  7. Ingredient optimization
  8. Plant-Based
  9. Production
  10. R&D
  11. Raw Materials, Ingredients, & Inputs
  12. Research
  13. Science
  14. Species-agnostic
  15. Startups
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