How to Raise Capital in This Economy: Jeffrey Harris of Green Venture Advisory

How to raise capital for your startup or existing company in this restrictive economy? This is what is on every founder’s mind. Jeffrey Harris, CEO of Green Venture Advisory, joins Elysabeth today on the Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano to talk about the three things you need to know. Specifically, they discuss What do startups/brands need to focus on to successfully raise capital? What are VCs and angels – if anything – focusing on before they invest? What have founders and investors learned in the past two years? What are the top mistakes on both sides? What deals have taken place and are we coming out of the investment slump? Below is a highlight clip and transcription from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display …

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How to Get Your Food Business Acquired with Yves Potvin

Three-time founder, Yves Potvin, discusses the current state of the plant-based innovation sector and how to grow a food business to be acquired. Having sold Gardein to Conagra and Yves Veggie Cuisine to Hain Celestial, Yves is now championing Konscious Foods with a plan to be acquired. Learn from this ultra-successful pioneer on The Plant-based Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano. Specifically, they discuss How to have a successful exit/acquisition for your company. The most important steps in building a robust company. Why, after starting and successfully selling Yves Veggie Cuisine and Gardein, he decided to start Konscious Foods. The common mistakes founders make that can implode their companies. The current state of the industry. Below is a highlight clip and transcription from our long-form conversation. …

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How Do We Fight for the Planet? George Monbiot Weighs In

George Monbiot, author, journalist, and environmental activist, joins The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss how to best fight for the planet and how to take no prisoners when it comes to taking on the meat industry and its lobby. He goes for the jugular and this is a do-not-miss interview. Specifically, they discuss: How does the Big Meat misinformation campaign differ from big tobacco and fossil fuels’ misinformation campaigns? What do you do against the misinformation campaign, especially if it is protected by certain government organizations? Is there a strategy for impact when we are woefully outspent? What is it going to take to move the needle? For people to be outraged? A health crisis? Another pandemic? Capitalism and free markets? The ills of big meat are …

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Can We Have a Sustainable Future? With Roger Spitz of Techistential

Roger Spitz (M.Sc., FCA, APF) is an international bestselling author, a celebrated futurist, the president of Techistential (Climate & Foresight Strategy), and the chair of the renowned Disruptive Futures Institute, based in San Francisco. In this episode, they discuss how we can prepare for the disruption ahead and come out financially and consciously better. Specifically, they discuss: How do we have strategic foresight for an adaptive and resilient future? What is a virtuous inflection point and how does it help to achieve critical mass adoption? What is transformation innovation and how does it encourage systems change? What levers are the most effective for systemic change: this may be the most holistic point of all and, thus, perhaps the most complex. What does this mean for …

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The Director of UN Affairs at ProVeg International, Raphael Podselver, at COP28

The Director of UN Affairs at ProVeg International, Raphael Podselver, joins Elysabeth to highlight the advancements surrounding food transformation based on diversified proteins at COP28 on this episode of The Plantbased Business Hour. Specifically, they discuss the list of the many steps forward. Below is a highlight clip and transcription with Raphael Podselver. Podcast here. Elysabeth: Director of UN Affairs at ProVeg, Raphael Podselver, thank you for being with me. Raphael Podselver: It’s a pleasure. It’s great to be with you, Elysabeth. Elysabeth: What has happened thus far? Raphael Podselver: I think a lot has happened. Usually I wouldn’t take notes after a COP because nothing happens on food systems and you try to do things and have side events to engage with negotiators. I have …

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Mathias Cousin, Managing Director of Monitor Deloitte

Managing Director of Monitor Deloitte, Mathias Cousin, shares the advancements of the BioP2P network that is ensuring the health of the bio-manufacturing sector for sustainable food systems transformation. It’s another fascinating episode of The Plantbased Business Hour. Specifically, they discuss: What is Deloitte’s work in food and specifically why has it started the Food Tech Working Group? Who is in it? What are the challenges of the group and what does it aim to accomplish? Will start-ups be working side by side with legacy food manufacturers? Can sustainability be a driving force for the sector or an ‘add-on’? Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always …

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Glenn Hurowitz of Mighty Earth: “I Can’t Imagine Any Industry That’s Going to Grow More Quickly”

Elysabeth and Glenn Hurowitz of Mighty Earth discuss: What is Mighty Earth and what work does the organization focus on? What campaigns it is currently working on and with what success? What is their perfect storm technique? What is their work on alternative proteins, animal feed and climate change through food transformation? Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Elysabeth: I want to bring on the founder of Mighty Earth, Glenn Hurowitz. I’m pronouncing your name correctly? Glenn Hurowitz: Yes, well done. Elysabeth: Quick shoutout to FAIRR, Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return. They also do a lot of the work that you’re talking about, trying to bring on investors and private companies, be they privately owned or publicly traded, just …

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What is Plant Transformation? Mary Fernandes of Solis Agrosciences

Mary Fernandes, President of Solis Agrosciences, discusses Plant Pipeline as a Service (PPaaS), plant transformation, gene editing, and the future (or the now?) of food on today’s episode of The Plantbased Business Hour. Specifically, they discuss What is Plant Pipeline as a Service? What is the demand for PPaaS? What is Plant Transformation? Gene Editing? Why do we need these things? What is GMO? Is it bad for you? Can we feed the world without GMO and without tech in our food? Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here . Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open “Mary Fernandes of Solis Agrosciences Predicts Farmers Will Need …

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What Happened to the Beyond Meat and Oatly Stocks?

Dr. Sasha Goodman, Chief Investment Officer of VegTech Invest, joins Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech Invest to discuss what has happened to the Beyond Meat and Oatly Stocks and, conversely, the large landscape of Plant-based Innovation companies in the public markets that are thriving. Think that Beyond Meat and Oatly are the only publicly traded plant-based innovation companies? Think again. Learn about the depth of the sector in this special episode of the Plantbased Business Hour, taken from the Upside & Impact: Investing for Change podcast, now also on the New York Stock Exchange’s platform, ETFCentral.com. Specifically, they discuss What other companies are publicly traded that are focusing on plant-based innovation? What common misconceptions exist about the alt protein sector? What is driving food systems innovation and is …

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How to Live to 100: Netflix and Blue Zones’ Dan Buettner

Author Dan Buettner who is the founder of Blue Zones and host of Netflix’s Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, joins me to share how you can live to 100 through eating a plant-based diet on The Plantbased Business Hour. Specifically, they discuss How to live longer and healthier,  The American health crisis. Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Elysabeth: I am recording today from the gorgeous and beautiful Santa Barbara Four Seasons. We’re back with Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones. Dan Buettner: We’ve flattened off and we’re headed towards a country where fifty percent of us are obese and that’s because of what we eat. The capacity of the human machine- so everybody listening out there right now, if …

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What Can the Alternative Proteins Sector Learn From the Apparel Impact Institute?

Lewis Perkins, President of the Apparel Impact Institute discusses decarbonizing the fashion industry on the Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano. Specifically, they discuss, What is the Apparel Impact Institute? What can the alternative proteins sector learn from A.I.I. What is the Fashion Climate Fund and Climate Solutions Portfolio? How are these structures helping to decarbonize the fashion industry? What does the industry really need to see happen for a major shift to take place in fashion?  Is it always as simple as just lowering prices? Do legacy fashion brands fight A.I.I on its mission towards sustainability. What kind of impact are you having? Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more …

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How the Bühler Group Champions Sustainability with Thierry Duvanel

Thierry Duvanel, Director of Innovation at the Bühler Group gives real-world examples of sustainability goals being met and measured at the company in scopes 1, 2, and 3. A beacon for other supply chain companies to meaningfully contribute to positive planetary change, Bühler is leading in cleaning up the food systems supply chain. Thierry explains how on this episode of The Plantbased Business Hour.  Specifically, they discuss, Bühler’s shift to sustainability and the extent of the capital requirement, How important is it to understand Scopes 1, 2, 3 and the importance of supply chain in the environmental equation, The growth and impact potential of the alternative protein’s supply chain and The business advantage from having good sustainability numbers. Below is a highlight clip from their …

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Heather Courtney Plantbased Business Hour

Lessons for the Sector with Heather Courtney of Alwyn Capital on the Plantbased Business Hour

Elysabeth gives a recap on the Plant Based World Expo 2023 and the Good Food Conference 2023. In the last half of the episode, she is joined by General Partner at Alwyn Capital, Heather Courtney. They discuss the latest developments in the alternative protein sector on this episode of the Plantbased Business Hour.  Specifically, they discuss: The importance of transparency in a nascent sector, Positive signs for the sector, as well as concerns, and Key areas for investment. Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open “Heather Courtney Shares Learning Lessons From the Good Food Conference” directly Elysabeth: Please tell me, …

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Ingredion’s Push for Novel Ingredients and Tastier Products

Mike Natale, Global Leader of Plant-based Protein, Ingredion, Yadu Dar, Director of Global Development, Ingredion and Jeremy Jones, Founder of SunDrip, discuss the highlights of the recent Ingredion State of the Plant-based Protein Event with Elysabeth Alfano It’s another great episode of The Plantbased Business Hour! Specifically, they discuss, Consumer attitudes and motivations, Educational opportunities and messaging, Ingredient development and sector progression and Bright spots in the sector experiencing large growth. Below is a highlight clip from our long-form conversation which includes a tour of one of their greenhouse ponds and a taste test of some of their products. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open “State of Plant-based Ingredients” directly …

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Bloomberg Intelligence’s Jen Bartashus on the Future of the Plant-based Innovation Sector

Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Analyst Jen Bartashus gives us up-to-the-minute analyses on the Plant-based Innovation sector in the public markets, including Beyond Meat and Oatly on this episode of The Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano. Specifically, they discuss, Which public companies fall under the umbrella of plant-based innovation and why? For example, ingredient companies, flavor and texture companies, legacy food and beverage companies and even outliers and well and novel CPG companies.  Which old-school, public food companies are venturing into plant-based innovation, including alternative proteins? What happened to Beyond Meat and Oatly?  What is the Bloomberg Intelligence prediction for the sector in the next 10 years? Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn …

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PBH YT David Schroeder

The Best Not-Pork Dumplings Are From Algae. Dave Schroeder of Triton Algae Innovation

Dave Schroeder, Director of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at Triton Algae Innovations, discusses being the little engine that could and outlasting the economic downturn on The Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano. Plus, he takes Elysabeth through the magic of algae at their San Diego plant as she tastes their newest products: algae dumplings – tastes like pork! – high-protein pasta and chips from their new brand: Too Good to Be. Specifically, they discuss, The versatility and functionality of algae. Scaling an algae plant and taking the Triton Algae Innovations tour The newest products: high-protein pasta and non-pork dumplings and The secret to lasting through a financial storm. Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to …

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Is there Overlap Between Regenerative Agriculture and Plant-based Innovation?

Joel Stone, Executive Director of Climate Systems Solutions, joins Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss how regenerative ag and plant-based innovation can work together…if at all. It gets dicey as they dish on where there is  overlap and where there is conflict. disagree. Can the future of food be sustainable? Can it be wholesome…and what does that even mean? Specifically, they discuss, The definition of Regenerative Agriculture, Is there overlap between Plant-based Innovation and Regenerative Agriculture, What role does tech play in Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation,   Why is there a big focus on soil health and how Plant-based Innovation plays a role in it. Below is a highlight clip from their long-form conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to …

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Plantible’s Big Bet: Rubi Protein from the Lemna Leaf

Chief Commercial Officer of Plantible Foods, Morgan Keim, is on The Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano giving a special tour of the company’s lemna leaf (AKA duckweed) plant. Morgan discusses the sustainability and scalability of Plantible’s Rubi Protein extracted from the lemna leaf and how Plantible is taking a nature-based solutions and using it to create clean, highly functional plant protein.   Specifically, they discuss, What is the lemna leaf and why is it such a key part of the food chain? What infrastructure spending in need to bring Rubisco Protein from the Lemna Leaf to market? What are the functional benefits of using Rubi Protein, and How does it taste? Below is a highlight clip from our long-form conversation which includes a tour …

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Kimberlie Le of Prime Roots on the Plant Based Business Hour

CEO of Prime Roots, Kimberlie Le, joins Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss the magic of whole-food, Koji fungi (best pâté ever!) and taking over the deli counter. Specifically, they discuss: How Koji can be meats from fungi Distribution and taking over deli counters. Prime Roots Koji bacon and pate, and The environmental impact and efficiency of using microbes for food production. Below is a short clip and transcript from their conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy policy. Always display content from YouTube Open “How is Koji Being used to Create Fungi-Based Pate and Deli Meats?” directly Elysabeth: Help us understand what you’re doing with mushrooms because when I first read- …

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What’s Behind Fatty Meat: Plant Chompers’ Chris MacAskill on The Plantbased Business Hour

Mr. Plant Chompers, Chris MacAskill, joins Elysabeth Alfano on The Plantbased Business Hour to share why he created the super popular YouTube channel Plant Chompers. Often getting over 100k views, Chris talks about achieving better health and the science behind achieving better health to help consumers understand the underpinnings of a healthy diet.  They also discuss the business elements that can further misinformation. It’s a very fun and nerdy Plantbased Business Hour! Specifically, they discuss, Misunderstandings about diabetes, The rising cost of healthcare in parallel with a growing number of obese Americans, The negative impacts on health from eating meat and the benefits of meat alternatives, The planetary healthcare costs of our current food supply system.  Below is a short clip and transcript from their conversation. Podcast …

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