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Modern Meadow: Created within PayPal
co-founder Peter Thiel’s San-Francisco-
based science and technology research
facility Breakout Labs, this start-up is fusing
3D printing with in-vitro meat cultivation to
eventually enable the print of ‘steak’ from
biological materials.
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Melt: Entrepreneur and Flip video camera
creator Jonathan Kaplan is pioneering this
US fast-casual restaurant chain ($8.75 for
a grilled cheese and soup). Backed by US
venture capital firm Sequoia Capital (Google
and Apple investor), the initiative has 14
locations with ambitious plans for 500 within
five years and a fleet of mobile units.
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Kitchenette: The UK’s first food start-up
incubator – inspired by US counterparts like
La Cocina and Hot Bread Kitchen’s HBK
Incubates – enables fledgling businesses
to join its 12-week programme, offering
mentorship, networking, production support,
retail space and potential investors. In return,
Kitchenette takes 5-10% of the company.
Inaugural start-ups include bespoke chocolate
company Co&Co and Korean-inspired street-
food brand Kimchinary.
Start-Ups to Watch
Innovative food start-ups are leveraging
technology to generate more sustainable
solutions to food production and food service,
and heavyweight investors are spotting lucrative
business opportunities.
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Beyond Eggs: San Francisco-based
entrepreneur Josh Tetrick’s company
Hampton Creek Foods has conceived a
plant-based egg substitute that mimics
the texture, colour attributes, aeration and
coagulation qualities of the real article. Backed
by Indian venture capitalist Vinod Khosla (also
backing new salt replacement product Nu-
Tek Salt and plant-based meat replacement
product Sand Hill Foods), the product costs
19% less than a chicken egg, has an extended
shelf life, and negates animal welfare
concerns. These ‘meat substitute’ ventures
chime with the rising tide of flexitarianism
(being vegetarian, but occasionally consuming
meat) being adopted by consumers.
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Redefine
Consumer Lifestyle
Kitchenette
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