The Business of Alt Protein: Financing alternative protein commercialization

Event description

Join our upcoming webinar on financing the commercialization of the alternative protein sector. GFI consultant Lopa Shah will reveal pivotal insights from the newly released Funding the Build report. Following her presentation, a panel of capital providers and industry leaders will dive into an engaging discussion, tackling the key opportunities and challenges of financing the commercial growth of alternative proteins. The event will conclude with an interactive audience Q&A session.

Meet the speakers

Lopa Shah

PRESENTER AND PANEL MODERATOR
PRINCIPAL AT CREDIBLE FUTURES

Lopa Shah is a Principal at Credible Futures with 20 years of diverse experience spanning renewable energy and infrastructure financing, non-profit leadership and alternative proteins. During her investment career at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, Lopa structured and mobilized over $1 billion in financing for infrastructure and renewable energy projects in emerging markets. Beyond her investment roles, Lopa was part of the leadership team of Katha, a grassroots education non-profit in New Delhi, where she helped expand educational programs and skills training for underserved children and women.

Lopa is now leveraging her experience to improve the sustainability of our food systems, with a focus on alternative proteins. She is the lead author of the Good Food Institute’s report “Funding the Build,” which assesses the funding landscape for scaling the alternative protein industry. Lopa holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a dual degree in Finance and International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s Huntsman Program.

Alessandro Borgogna

ADVISOR AT THE ABU DHABI INVESTMENT OFFICE

Alessandro is an advisor at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), where he leads the development and expansion of key economic clusters to drive Abu Dhabi’s transformation. Before joining ADIO, Alessandro held several strategic roles at leading companies in the region, developing over 25 years of business experience in multiple industries. He previously served as Executive Director at Mubadala, focusing on life sciences, gaming and entertainment, food and water, energy transition, and travel. Prior to this, he was a partner and senior member of the industrial, manufacturing and automotive practice at Strategy & Middle East.

During his professional career, Alessandro has gained deep expertise across the entire value chain of multiple industries and has insightfully advised governments and corporate players on strategy, mergers and acquisitions, innovation, and transformation. Additionally, he has co-invested in multiple SMEs across various sectors. Alessandro is passionate about creating impact and supporting the development and diversification of national economies. He holds an MBA from the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy, and a Master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Naples Federico II in Naples, Italy.

Steve Molino

PRINCIPAL AT CLEAR CURRENT CAPITAL

Steve is a Principal at Clear Current Capital (CCC), an early-stage venture capital firm focused on catalyzing sustainable change in the food system. With CCC, Steve is responsible for leading new investment and diligence activities, portfolio company support, and internal portfolio management and operational needs. Steve has prior experience at leading mission-driven VC firms, as well as in the alternative investments and strategy consulting spaces. He is also a mentor for various organizations, including The Good Food Institute, ProVeg Incubator, and Nucleate. He received his a BS in Finance from The College of New Jersey (magna cum laude) and an MBA from Columbia Business School (Deans List).

Etan Bendheim

CO-FOUNDER AND COO/CBO AT LIBERATION LABS

Operational savvy executive who drives industry change through investment and strategic partnerships, Etan has worked in and around fermentation and biotechnology for his entire career. Beginning in healthcare investment banking at UBS, Etan then transitioned to the industry side, spending over a decade in strategy and operations roles at Phibro Animal Health Corporation, a global leader in animal health and nutrition, before founding LAVVAN, Inc., a pioneering company in using cellular agriculture to manufacture safe and scalable cannabinoids, in 2019.

Maille O’Donnell

SENIOR POLICY SPECIALIST, PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRY AT THE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE

Maille works to catalyze public support for alternative protein commercialization. Her work includes educating stakeholders within the U.S.-based alternative protein ecosystem about government resources that may be available to them and ensuring that agency funders have access to accurate information about the alternative protein industry. Maille has held several positions within GFI, most recently focused on developing reports and resources on the alternative protein commercial landscape. Before GFI, Maille held various internships in the policy space, including with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Sharyn Murray

Q&A MODERATOR
SENIOR MANAGER, INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT AND FINANCING AT THE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE

As Senior Manager, Investor Engagement and Financing, GFI, Sharyn oversees projects to facilitate commercialization funding for alternative protein companies and provides industry education to the investment community. Prior to joining GFI, Sharyn spent nearly a decade as an investor and marketing professional at GCM Grosvenor, where she built expertise in alternative investments. Sharyn is a CFA charter holder and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern University with a BA in Economics and Psychology.