There have been many notable successes recently in the alternative protein / plant-based foods sector. Notably, Burger King has begun offering the Impossible Burger, KFC has started selling plant-based chicken, Hardy's is selling plant-based eggs, and the Beyond Meat IPO reached nosebleed heights. The plant based milk sector is seeing skyrocketing sales, even as traditional dairy swoons.
I've heard one recent equity analyst take a mixed view of the space. He points to the potential of a meat tax in Europe, potential for reduction of subsidies and use of public land for grazing in US, and the disruptive potential of lab-grown meat. However, he also pointed to the potential backlash against alternative protein from the powerful meat lobby, and the truly minuscule market share that alternative protein companies have achieved. Growth rates in these companies have been strong, but it's coming off a base of essentially zero.
Purely from an investment standpoint, what do you guys think? I co-founded an alt-protein accelerator, and am investing in the space (albeit that's an unpaid activity that I do on the side). I'm drinking too much of our own koolaid, and am looking for reality checks.
I can't provide any insight on the numbers but I hope the industry takes off. Society would be much better off if people were to choose a more healthful lifestyle. I would be a buyer of the products but I am not sure about being an investor. The trend is towards eating more healthful foods but it is still a niche market. Only about 5% of Americans are vegetarians despite the data which shows that plant based diets are much more healthful compared to meat based diets.
Cricket protein is legit The supps game is all marketing with a small sliver of actual high quality products those in the know seek out.
I'd put all my money in cricket protein if i knew how
Have you ever heard of Soylent? Supposedly, it is a legitimate meal replacement. I have also heard you can just drink and live off Soylent without eating whatsoever. I think plant based meats will take a while before people really take it into consideration. I would stop eating meat products if realistically plant based products taste the same. I'm just worried that they might not have the nutritional value as the same thing as meat. Also, there seems to be serious competition of those order to make meals kits like Blue-Apron.
Are you being serious? Do you really believe in the idea that someone can live solely off Soylent and be healthy? Did you learn this from John Oliver or Trevor Noah?
Realistically, No, I don't think you can live off Soylent. Soylent claim is absolute meal replacement. I'm not giving up my chicken breasts, steaks, eggs, and especially water either. I don't think think you can live off Soylent. I have a feeling that Soylent is kind of part of the hippie movement. Also, Soylent got in trouble for dirty work enivornment.
insect protein is very efficient. I dunno if consumers will go for it, but I thought cricket was a nice taste. Plant based meat is not yet where it needs to be nutritionally and health-wise, but every version improves. Clean meat has the most potential but is still largely a science project. Plant-based milks seem to be the only real winners so far, in terms of disrupting the status quo.
A very large/successful entrepreneur invested in one of our portfolio companies who started/scaled/sold an alt-protein co. He is still bullish on the space and actively looking for deal flow. @earthwalker7" feel free to PM me and I can put you in touch with his VC - probably quite a bit of synergy with what you do.
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