Startups and food companies around the world are in a race to create alternatives to traditional meat production, as consumers are becoming more conscious about nutrition and sustainability.
Next Gen, a foodtech startup which offers plant-based meats products, launched in Singapore today (October 1).
It is armed with a seed funding of US$2.2 million (S$3 million), which was fully supplied by its founder and CEO Timo Recker.
The startup has established its headquarters, leadership team and research and development centre in Singapore.
It is led by Timo Recker and Andre Menezes, who have years of experience in the plant-based protein industry.
Timo was previously the founder and CEO of German plant-based meat company LikeMeat, while Andre was previously the General Manager of Country Foods Singapore, where he was involved in growing the Impossible Foods brand in Singapore.
The founders plan to use the Singapore as a base, from which it will build a global consumer brand, targeting China, the USA and Europe as strategic markets.
According to a media statement by Next Gen, Singapore was chosen as its headquarters for “its innovation ecosystem, and its centrality to Asia.”
The city offers a fantastic entrepreneurial ecosystem, private equity and venture capital, and an enviable legal and support environment.
It also has a vibrant dining scene and some exceptionally talented chefs, who will help us to introduce our brand to the people of Singapore, and from here to those across Asia and around the world.
Andre Menezes, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Next Gen
This year, Singapore was recognised as the leading technology hub outside Silicon Valley, according to KPMG’s survey of industry insiders.
Disrupting A S$17.41 Billion Market In Asia
According to Technavio, Asia will see significant growth in the plant-based meat market and is projected to reach an estimated market value of US$12.75 billion (S$17.41 billion) by 2030.
“The demand for plant-based meat products has exploded in the last few years,” said Timo.
Over US$1.5 billion (S$2.05 billion) was invested in plant-based protein globally in the first seven months of 2020, more than doubling 2019’s investment of US$534 million (S$729.29 million).
In Singapore alone, investment firm Temasek Holdings has invested about US$5 billion (S$6.83 billion) in the agri-foodtech sector in the past few years.
Earlier this week, Singapore-based Shiok Meats raised US$12.6 million (S$17.27 million) in a Series A funding round.
With big brands like Impossible and Beyond gaining popularity in Singapore, Next Gen is poised to further disrupt the industry.
All of Next Gen’s products are “GMO-free, produced more sustainably and with less environmental impact than meat.”
Its offers 100% plant-based meat products which have the “taste, texture and satisfaction of meat, while providing the benefits of a high protein, low carb, low fat, rich in fibre food.”
Currently, the startup is preparing to onboard external investors in a Series A financing round in 2021 to drive its global expansion, technology and R&D.
Featured Image Credit: Next Gen and Green Queen
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