Better Nature - plant-based innovation

by Startacus Admin

London-based food-tech startup Better Nature on a mission to create a plant-based fish alternative, created using food byproducts.

These days, with more environmental consciousness and a significant rise in the number of people taking on a vegetarian or vegan diet, it comes as no surprise to see more and more meat alternatives on the market. What is a little surprising, though, is that there aren’t as many alternatives as you might think. Outside of probably the most well-known, Quorn, how many can you think of off the top of your head? As well as this, most alternatives are for beef, pork, and chicken but, looking at the significant environmental impact of fishing, what about alternatives for fish?

London-based food-tech startup Better Nature produces an Indonesian food from cultured soybeans (but not to be confused with tofu), called tempeh. It’s a plant-based - obviously - and versatile food that is high in fibre and protein and, while they are eager to point out that it is not an alternative to anything, it can be used in place of traditional ingredients for many dishes.

Now, this tempeh has inspired the startup to create a plant-based fish alternative, created using food byproducts (much like the QOA chocolate alternative that we have just written about). The fish alternative will build on Better Nature’s proprietary tempeh fermentation methods and will be low in fat and cholesterol, but high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, just like fish. And, of course, it will be free of the chemicals and antibiotics found in fish, as well as the creation process itself being free of pollution and toxic waste, and free of the needs that fish farms have, like oxygen and feed (itself coming with all kinds of environmental issues).

In June, Better Nature announced that it had raised £350,000 from Innovate UK to help develop this fish alternative, and will go a long way to allowing the startup to serve it up to customers by 2026.

Subscribe to our newsletter

If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.

• #
• #london
• #plant-based
• #innovation
• #foodtech

Published on: 6th July 2022