Food & Beverage Trailblazers: Recent Episodes
William Reed Business Media
FoodNavigator-Asia Food & Beverage Trailblazers: In conversation with APAC's ground-breaking food and beverage start-ups
The cultivated meat industry in APAC needs to focus on localisation and realistic pricing strategies to avoid repeating past alternative protein ‘pitfalls’, says pioneer Aleph Farms.
Singapore-based Curated Culture has big plans to enter the ‘sports and wellness’ space in the APAC region with its probiotic tea products, which the firm has stressed is ‘not kombucha’.
Better-for-you beverage trends and ingredients are starting to see a convergence between markets in the Asia Pacific and United States as comsumer awareness grows, according to energy tea brand YATE.
The interest in cleaner and better-for-you snacks shown by big food and beverage brands, including Mondelez, Nestle and Vitasoy, is paving the way for a new specialised area of plant-based proteins to enter the market, namely the RuBisCo leaf protein.
The interest in cleaner and better-for-you snacks shown by big food and beverage brands, including Mondelez, Nestle and Vitasoy, is paving the way for a new specialised area of plant-based proteins to enter the market, namely the RuBisCo leaf protein.
Ensuring that brand focus is maintained after joining a larger company is crucial to sustain and boost growth, according to sugar replacement start-up Swiftlet which has become part of Vietnamese conglomerate Senix Health Group.
Increased consumer demand for premiumisation and alternative protein products, as well as inflation-driven price hikes, are driving the need for technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional ‘commodities’ that have so far not been exposed to such advances.
Increased consumer demand for premiumisation and alternative protein products, as well as inflation-driven price hikes, are driving the need for technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in traditional ‘commodities’ that have so far not been exposed to such advances.
Flavour localisation is a crucial strategy for healthy snacking brands to win over Asian consumers’ ‘sophisticated tastebuds’, according to Vietnam’s Lecka, which is rapidly expanding across the region.
Sesame’s nutritional and sustainable properties could make it Asia’s best option for traditional milk replacement, despite it being a relative newcomer in region’s plant-based dairy alternative space, claims a Thai firm seeking to pioneer the sector.
Alternative meat firm More Meat has cited rising local food ingredient prices and the prevention of food waste as major drivers behind the creation of its ready-to-cook (RTC) range, a format that is still at the early stages of growth within Thailand’s plant-based sector.
A three-pronged marketing approach spanning health, safety and taste is crucial to drive sales in China’s burgeoning plant-based space, both to attract new customers and then retain them for sustained sales growth, according to pioneer of the category.
India’s first ice popsicle brand Skippi is aiming to achieve Nestle-level market penetration in the country within the next 12 months, with plans afoot for a large-scale production plant as well as building up its national distribution network.
Asia has the potential to lead the way in the food and beverage sector’s packaging sustainability endeavours, but retailer red tape and legacy mindsets need to quickly be overcome to achieve maximum impact.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Heidi Peuten, Co-Founder of Ulu Hye, about her pioneering journey to create the world’s first dairy-free mylk bases, and life juggling entrepreneurship with a very young family.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Coco Tse, Vice President of Strategy and Operations at HEROTEIN, about the rise of the ‘New Protein’ movement in China, the need for localised products, and format innovation.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Nicci Clark, CEO and Co-founder of Re:Nourish, about how the rise in demand for foods with functional health benefits are driving the fresh soup category, as well as the link she sees between her previous experience as a nurse and her current role as a food entrepreneur.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Ahmad Syafik Jaafar, Co-founder of Malaysia’s NANKA, about the niche hybrid plant-meat product category and the potential of using these as a ‘transitional’ product for consumers wanting to go fully plant-based.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Michael Fox, CEO of Australia’s Fable Foods, about how his entrepreneurial journey from fashion to food, as well as whether mushroom-based meat products should still be considered ‘plant-based’.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Lisa King, Founder of New Zealand’s AF Drinks, about how the firm is leading the domestic non-alcoholic cocktail category as well as her challenges in making the switch from MNC’s such as PepsiCo and Heinz.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Alex Min, Founder and CEO of Korea’s RE:Harvest about introducing food upcycling to Asia, a market where byproducts are often seen more as ‘food waste’.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Athena Zhu, Co-Founder and COO of Marvelous Foods about her experience as a food industry leader in China, as well as plans to premiumise the local plant-based dairy category.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Christoph Langwallner, CEO of WhatIF Foods about his vision to change the world ‘one meal at a time’ using regenerative crops instead of today’s commercial ones, and the need to redesign food manufacturing to make this work.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Zac Chua, CEO of Singapore popcorn firm The Kettle Gourmet about starting a business right out of school with no prior experience, and working with ‘controversial’ artificial flavours as a base for innovation.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast we speak to Nalin Sood, CEO of Indian tea specialist firm Teamonk about defying traditional procurement norms and his experience moving from beverage MNC PepsiCo to a start-up.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the co-founder and director of Singapore biotechnology and healthy noodle firm KosmodeHealth about her journey from pharma to food, and why pragmatism is just as important as sustainability.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO of Singapore-based sugar innovation firm Nutrition Innovation Matthew Godfrey about the challenges he faced when moving from an MNC to a start-up, and why he believes sugar itself is the solution to solving overconsumption.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO of Malaysian insect-based food firm Ento Kevin Wu about his massive career shift from law to food entrepreneurship as well as how he is tackling consumer fears over insect consumption.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO of Indian traditional and plant-based dairy firm Epigamia Rohan Mirchandani about his aspirations to contemporise the Indian dairy industry, and the challenges in getting the conventional and plant-based sectors to ‘peacefully coexist’.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO and Co-Founder of Singapore-based microalgae food firm Sophie’s BioNutrients Eugene Wang about his aspirations to create food for space travel, and why he believes ‘hybrid’ plant-based and meat products are the way forward for Asia.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO and co-founder of Australia-US fermentation technology firm Change Foods about his journey from aerospace engineering to food tech, and the parallels and differences between the two industries.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Dr David Kitchen, CEO of better-for-you energy drink Kanguru about his experience juggling both a full-time medical career as an ophthalmologist alongside his beverage entrepreneurial venture.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Blair Crichton, Co-Founder of plant-based start-up Karana about choosing Asia and Asian-style foods to focus on for its jackfruit-based pork development, and his experience making the jump from finance to food entrepreneurship.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to LVL Life co-founders Avinash Aswani and Rohit Nanwani, entrepreneurs and first cousins who have moved from under the wings of a longtime family business to build a superfoods brand based on e-commerce.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Mark Livings, the CEO and co-founder of Australia-based non-alcoholic beverages start-up Lyre’s about his award-winning drinks, building a successful brand and unpacking a whole new beverage category in the APAC region.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Carrie Chan, the CEO and co-founder of Hong Kong cell-based start-up Avant Meats, about its pilot product, fish maw, and her experience being a vegan working in the seafood industry.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Lim Jin Yin, the COO and co-founder of Malaysian plant-based pork start-up Phuture Foods about its imminent launch in Singapore, the initial response its product has received from Muslim consumers, plus how his engineering background has helped him in his F&B entrepreneurship journey.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to Monica Meldrum, the CEO and Co-founder of Australia’s largest organic children’s snacks brand Whole Kids, about how she manages personal and professional challenges in running a family business, and what it means to run a firm certified as a B Corporation.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO and Co-founder of Singapore-based artificial intelligence company AI Palette Somsubhra Ganchoudhuri (Som) about using AI for food product innovation, and making the switch from an MNC to leading a start-up.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the CEO and co-founder of Singapore-based cell-based seafood start-up Shiok Meats Sandhya Sriram about challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Asia, the importance of family support, and her tips for entrepreneurs to approach investors.
In this episode of our Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to the co-founder of two hemp product specialist companies Georgia Branch about her unwavering belief in the ingredient as the way forward for the food and beverage industry, and her dream to raise more awareness and conversations for women surrounding hemp and CBD.
In the very first episode of our new Food and Beverage Trailblazers podcast, we speak to vegan start-up founder and angel investor Simon Newstead about his mission to both lower the prices of vegan products worldwide, as well as to help put more vegan start-ups on the map.
The town of Nelson will welcome New Zealand's first omega-3 fish oil processing plant in December. Campbell Berry-Kilgour, sales director of Seadragon, who hopes the facility will fill a definite gap in the market, talks about the industry and market in New Zealand and Asia-Pacific.
This time last year, the Southeast Asian nations of Asean set out to create the single largest regulatory framework for dietary supplements in the world. We spoke to Dato' Dr Rajen M, who has been advising on Malaysia's position, to give us an update on the framework.
With predicted growth of 15 to 20% imminent, probiotics in China and South Asia are destined for big things. But, according to Russell Ward, research director of food analyst Giract, a number of other factors must come into play before the segment reaches its potential.
Last week saw a furious row between researchers in France and their critics from around the world after they published new findings on the effect of genetically modified Roundup maize when it is fed to rats.
China’s trend towards natural ingredients with health benefits should ensure the success of Ingredia’s chia product for bakery, the firm has said.
There has been a fundamental and significant shift in global business moves, with Asia now bypassing EU and US markets to work directly with Latin America and this is a trend set to stay, according to Mintel analyst.
Vitafoods Europe 2012 is a good place to come face to face with business in Europe’s lucrative health and nutrition market, according to Chinese firms exhibiting in the China Pavilion.
Korea’s health claim regulations are set to change next year, enabling functionality claims to be made in general foods rather than just supplements, according to a previous Korea FDA member.
Asia’s functional food market is still a new target area for pharmaceutical firm Vésale Pharma and working with regional agents will prove essential in gaining traction in the market, according to president.
Genetic modification is an on-going problem in Asia’s basmati rice network and it is a problem that importers need to be vigilant in curbing, according to an industry expert.
The World Food Programme (WFP) operates on many fronts, with many initiatives, but it’s core remains the same – to better the nutritional inputs of the world’s neediest people. Significant advances in fortified rice technology are set to see those goals made real in Cambodia and Bangladesh.
Manufacturers need to align themselves with Chinese consumers to succeed in a market tainted by safety concerns, according to an industry analyst.
Innovative new products, a strong focus on health and wellness, and regional dairy tastes were all on the agenda at FI India in Mumbai this week - and FoodNavigator-Asia's journalists were there, taking stock of what the latest trends mean for the food industry in India.
There is a huge range in taste preferences within Southeast Asia, so being immersed in the market is essential for meeting regional customer requirements, according to Asia-focussed flavour company KH Roberts.
Regional preferences in Asia are not just confined to taste, textural preferences are also an important part of new product development, according to an Asia Pacific specialist at CP Kelco.
Asian Muslims are becoming savvier when it comes to quality food products, according to an expert on the Muslim market.
Vitafoods Asia trade expo will open its doors for the first time in Hong Kong to an expectant region in coming days – a culmination of more than two years work by the organisers of the show that has its foundation in Europe.
Three deaths from nitrite tainted milk in China show that the country still has some way to go to clean up its dairy industry. One of the authors of a new study1 on the 2008 China melamine milk scandal explains what has gone wrong and what reforms are needed.