The Dutch group has revealed the shortlist of startups for its Feed & Food Tech Challenge 2022, a contest that looks to support companies with the potential to change the feed, farming, and food industries.
“We have chosen 15 of the best and brightest entrepreneurs, from a total of 150 applicants in 48 countries, to embark on this challenge. These teams will pitch their innovations in three categories: improving alternative food proteins, livestock farming and aquaculture," said the animal nutrition and fish feed producer.
Livestock farming technology
Under the livestock farming category, the startups chosen include Jaguza, Biorefic, YieldX, Beakbook, and Microharvest.
Biorefic is a next-generation zero waste biorefinery manufacturing prebiotics, alternative lipids, and proteins for animal feed and aquaculture without using food inputs. It looks to enhance farm animal health and boost feed efficiency.
Beakbook develops data analytic tools and robust hardware designed to lower feed bills and support animal welfare; it collects and leverages big data from current and historical weights aimed at giving farmers insights and tools to adjust feed mix and barn conditions.
Jaguza is an online and offline cloud-based livestock management system focused on empowering livestock production to strengthen food security and mitigate the risk of disease, using IoT and big data.
MicroHarvest has a patented technology in relation to producing nutritional biomass from fast-growing bacteria with potential applications across the whole protein value chain.
YieldX has an ag biosecurity focused data platform. It harnesses IoT and AI to enable prediction and prevention of diseases in livestock farming.
“Innovation and technology will be key to a sustainable food future, as well as supply chain efficiency. This leaves a huge space for innovators to find their way and bring breakthrough innovations to the market,” commented Laëtitia Gerbe, a juror in that category and a partner at Seventure Partners, a venture capital firm.
Aquaculture focused innovation
Alternative farming systems, additives, and digital solutions can promote sustainability and reduce the reliance on antibiotics, securing the future of aquaculture, claims Nutreco as it identifies the companies picked for the fish farming element within the challenge. They include Tepbac, CirkulärBio, Aquarech, Aquanzo, and Organicin Scientific.
Aquanzo is looking to produce ‘sustainable' marine proteins by domesticating and farming Zooplankton as a feed for fish and shrimp.
AquaRech says its platform allows fish farmers to buy feed, access farming tools and sell their output efficiently, sustainably and transparently. It is targeting small and medium sized fish farmers in Africa.
Cirkulär Bio is producing fungal proteins that it says are promising candidates for aquafeed and highly competitive with fish meal and soybean meal.
Organicin Scientific has developed a bacteriocin-based functional feed additive targeted at gut dysbiosis and disease prevention.
Tepbac provides fish and shrimp farmer a range of cost, inventory and remote management tools aimed at reducing risk and improving yields.
Food proteins
On the alternative food protein side, the five startups are Multus Biotechnology Ltd, BioBetter, Harmony Baby Nutrition, Mogale Meats, and Aïo Tech.
