The Business of Alt Protein: Leveraging sensory research to improve plant-based meat
Event description
Join GFI for our next Business of Alt Protein webinar, which will focus on how insights from plant-based meat sensory studies can help improve the taste of plant-based meats. Caroline Cotto, director of NECTAR, an initiative of Food System Innovations, will kick off the presentation by summarizing key takeaways from NECTAR’s inaugural publication: Taste of the Industry 2024, a large-scale sensory analysis of plant-based meats. Attendees will also learn how to interpret NECTAR’s study and how insights from the report can inform their involvement in the plant-based protein industry. The presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A.
Meet the speaker
Caroline Cotto
DIRECTOR, FOOD SYSTEM INNOVATIONS
Caroline Cotto is a Director at Food System Innovations (FSI) where she leads NECTAR, an initiative accelerating the protein transition with taste. Prior to FSI, Caroline co-founded Renewal Mill, an award-winning upcycled food startup. She served as the inaugural board president of the Upcycled Food Association, the world’s first trade association for upcycled brands. A food and entrepreneurship expert, Caroline has experience at the UN World Food Programme, the White House (for Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative), Techstars Farm to Fork accelerator, and HubSpot. She regularly advises and mentors food, tech, and circular economy startups. Caroline studied at Georgetown University and served as a Fulbright Fellow in Taiwan. She has been named to both Forbes 30 Under 30 and the 50 Best’s 50 NEXT lists.
Upcoming events
View all events
NAPIC Inaugural Conference 2025
The NAPIC Inaugural Conference aims to convene a diverse group of stakeholders—including industry leaders, innovators, researchers, investors, and policymakers—to explore and advance the latest developments in alternative protein innovation.
GFI at Climate Week NYC
GFI is heading to Climate Week NYC! Join us as we spotlight how alternative proteins can help feed a growing population while protecting our planet.
Reuters Events Transform Food & Agriculture USA 2025
Join GFI’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Engagement, Caroline Bushnell at Reuters Events: Transform Food & Agriculture in Minneapolis.
Bridge2Food North American Symposium – APP Regional Student Symposium (Alt Protein Project)
After a successful student-led showcase in Brazil earlier this year, the Alt Protein Project is headed to the U.S.! Meet some of our incredible student leaders at the Bridge2Food North…
National FFA Convention & Expo
Event description The National FFA Convention & Expo is all about growing the next generation of leaders—and so is GFI. That’s why Jeremy Eltz, Ph.D., GFI’s Education and Workforce Development…
The 7th Industrializing Cultivated Meat & Seafood Summit
GFI’s Elliot Swartz, Ph.D., will share insights at the 7th Industrializing Cultivated Meat & Seafood Summit in Boston. Join Elliot and other experts as they discuss R&D innovations that can…
Building Your Alt Protein Career
Discover academic and industry career paths in the alternative protein sector, and get inspired by real-world experiences and actionable advice from our guest speaker.
Foods of the Future: Science and Engineering Approaches (Gordon Research Conference)
The focus of this conference is to bring the multi-disciplinary future food community under one roof with a singular focus: collaboratively advancing the science and engineering of safe and scalable…
