This autumn four start-ups have joined the 2021 cohort of the ToasterLAB acceleration program, with in-person sessions restarting for the first time since the beginning of 2020.
Reuse of glass bottles, plant-based meat alternatives and innovative condiments... The activities of the latest ToasterLAB recruits are perfectly aligned with major consumer food trends such as reducing packaging waste and the transition to a plant-based diet.
The launch of this group's acceleration progam began on September 23rd with an in-person bootcamp. Bringing together the start-up founders with the program's partners, experts and mentors, this event was the first in-person gathering of the ToasterLAB community since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jumping in at the deep end, the start-up founders began by pitching their solutions to ToasterLAB's experts and mentors who will be supporting their development during their acceleration.
The program's partners indicated their interest in the topics of the start-ups selected for this cohort: "All the start-ups have varied activities by they all have the ambition to provide an answer to environmental and health challenges faced by our food systems. As a representative of the oil and protein crop sector, we are particularly interested in the selection of Devore Food", explains Marie Dubot, innovation coordinator for Terres Univia.
Start-ups will have the opportunity to apply for the ToasterLAB program, and join the 2022 cohort, during the next call for applications in December 2021.
ToasterLAb's new recruits
NUDJ – Plant-based meat substitutes (Paris)
Nudj develops plant-based meat substitutes using the flesh of the jackfruit, a fruit that is rich in vitamins, protein and dietary fibre. Their plant "steaks" are organic, minimally-processed and with a Nutri-Score A.
DEVORE FOOD – Plant-based "chicken" – (Paris)
Dévore Food develops natural plant-based products that mimic the texture of chicken, aimed at all consumers looking to reduce their meat consumption. In the form of sticks or nuggets, their products are organic, gluten-free and Nutri-Score A.
J’AIME MES BOUTEILLES – reuse of glass bottles – (Lons-le-Saunier)
A start-up from the French region of Franche-Comté, J’aime Mes Bouteilles offers local producers a solution for reusing glass packaging with a shared logistical platform. The start-up supports food manufacturers and retailers to integrate the platform, and takes part in pedagogical actions to consumers on the advantages of reusing glass packaging.
The fourth start-up in this group is developing an innovative range of condiments, but requests that the details of their activity remain confidential for the time being.
If you wish to find out more about ToasterLAB, and to benefit from the acceleration support that this program offers, contact me: clement.galbois@vitagora.com.
By Clément
Business Developer and "start-up back-up" as he likes to call himself, Clément was immersed in world of start-ups before joining the ToasterLAB team. A keen volonteer for a number of evironmental causes that he holds dear, Clément is the main point of contact for ToasterLAB's start-ups. Contact him: : clement.galbois@vitagora.com.