Better Nature

Better Nature

Image: Christopher Kong on LinkedIn
Retail & E-Commerce

Tempeh Brand Better Nature Launches at Hundreds of REWE Stores Across Germany

UK tempeh brand Better Nature has announced that its Organic and Smoky tempeh products have launched into 200 REWE stores across central Germany. The news comes just weeks after the tempeh gained a listing at 400 REWE Sudwest stores in the country. In total, Better Nature products are now available at around 1,300 REWE stores in Germany, following a previous launch last year. On LinkedIn, co-founder and co-CEO Elin Roberts reported that so far this year, Better Nature’s German sales are double what was forecast. This success has been made possible through a partnership with distributor Uplegger Foods, which has reportedly helped Better Nature gain a 30% share of the German tempeh market. “I won’t lie, Germany was a bit of a slog when we …

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Better Nature tempeh

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Products & Launches

Better Nature Rolls Out Enhanced Tempeh to Appeal to Health-Conscious Meat-Eaters in the UK

Better Nature is launching an enhanced version of its Organic Tempeh this week, now available at major UK retailers including Tesco, Asda, and Ocado. The product has been reformulated to appeal to a broader audience, including meat-eaters seeking healthier protein alternatives. The new tempeh offers a higher protein content, matching that of chicken, and features gut-friendly fibre and prebiotics. The updated product boasts 44 grams of protein per 200g pack, which is comparable to one and a third chicken breasts, or the protein found in six eggs. Better Nature claims that the improved tempeh absorbs flavours more effectively than before, making it more versatile in cooking. The company’s new tempeh product is made from organic, non-GMO soybeans and offers additional benefits, such as being a …

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Better Nature tempeh gains REWE listing

Image credit Samantha Couzens
Retail & E-Commerce

Better Nature Brings its Tempeh to German Chiller Cabinets Through REWE Deal

Tempeh products in Organic and Smoked varieties from UK startup Better Nature are now available throughout Germany at REWE, furthering the company’s German retail footprint in addition to its availability at Edeka in the Rhine-Ruhr region. REWE thus continues its support for plant-based producers and innovations in the field, such as the innovative and sustainable 2d printed Mililk discs made by Veganz, which are supplied to the retail group, whose subsidiaries include the REWE, Penny, and Billa chains. This April, REWE inaugurated its first purely plant-based supermarket in Berlin, offering over 2,700 vegan products. Good for the gut and full of nutrients Tempeh consists of protein-rich soybeans that are fermented with mould to form a firm block. It has a slightly nutty flavour and can be …

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Elin Roberts, cofounder of Better Nature

Elin Roberts © Better Nature Tempeh
Opinion

Op Ed: Elin Roberts, CMO at Better Nature Tempeh: Stop Using Plant-Based as a Scapegoat

As co-founder and CMO of the UK’s fastest-growing wholefood protein brand, Better Nature Tempeh, Elin Roberts is on a mission to help people live healthier lives by making wholefood proteins the norm, not the alternative. As a business, Better Nature claims it is on track to achieve this, with its supercharged tempeh range now available in over 1,000 supermarkets across the UK. For the wider plant-based industry, it has been a more bumpy ride, with meat alternatives under fire amidst growing consumer concern about ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Here, Elin gives her reaction to a study that hit the headlines this month that highlighted the health risks of ultra-processed foods, creating a flurry of negative press for the plant-based sector in the process. Why scapegoating plant-based …

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Better Nature

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Company News

Better Nature Tempeh Becomes the UK’s Fastest-Growing Wholefood Protein Brand 

Better Nature Tempeh announces the achievement of some major milestones. This week the brand expands its retail distribution in Tesco and Asda, as such it has become the UK’s fastest-growing wholefood protein brand; the B-corp now represents 51% of tempeh sales growth in the country, as shoppers increasingly look towards healthy protein options. “Despite the consolidation and shrinkage of the meat-free category, tempeh is coming out on top, growing 30% year-on-year. As a brand, we’re responsible for more than half (51%) of that growth*, with two of the top three Tempeh SKUs in the UK (by volume) being Better Nature Tempeh,” says co-founder and CEO Christopher Kong. The business has grown by 250% YOY and increased distribution to over 1,000 supermarkets across the UK, say …

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World Vegan Day Collage

Image: vegconomist
People

Messages From Vegan Business Leaders on World Vegan Day, Part 1

On this World Vegan Day, we at vegconomist felt that this year it was especially important to boost morale in the industry and share insights and advice amongst the community. We asked business leaders: as we approach the end of what has been a turbulent year for many in the business, what is your message for the plant-based industry as we look ahead to 2024? Here we share messages from figures in the UK vegan business scene: CEO of VFC and Meatless Farm, Dave Sparrow; Senior Brand Manager at OGGS, Joe Farrar; Co-Founder & CMO at Better Nature Tempeh, Elin Roberts; CEO of Citizen Kind, Emma Osborne;  and CEO of Miami Foods, Loui Blake. Dave Sparrow, VFC: “Clear strategy” Firstly, happy World Vegan Day to …

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Better Nature becomes UK's highest rated meat-free B Corp

Dr. Driando Ahnan-Winarno. © Better Nature
Company News

Better Nature Becomes the UK’s Top-Scoring Meat-Free B Corp

UK tempeh brand Better Nature is now the UK’s top-scoring B Corp in the meat-free category, with an impact score of 99.7 — over 20% higher than the industry average. B Corp certification recognises companies that meet high social and environmental standards, along with being transparent and accountable. Specifically, Better Nature: Has a low carbon footprint. Certifies its products as Non-GMO, Zero Deforestation, Soil Protection, and Indigenous People & Ecosystem Protection, with an organic option also available. Donates 1% of sales to charity. Produces sustainable, clean-label food. Claims to promote a diverse workplace and prioritise team wellbeing. Works with mission-aligned partners. “This is just the start of our B Corp journey,” said Dr. Driando Ahnan-Winarno, co-founder at Better Nature Tempeh. “From here, we will be …

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Konscious Plant-Based Sushi

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Market & Trends

Navigating Turbulence: 8 Plant-Based Brands Riding the Crest, Not Weathering the Storm

While some brands are struggling in the current economic climate (both plant-based and conventional), many are not just surviving but thriving, expanding into new markets and raising large sums of funding. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest industry success stories of 2023. Konscious Foods Canada’s Konscious Foods raised $26 million in seed funding at the beginning of this month, with the aim of making its plant-based seafood more widely accessible. The company now plans to launch at over 4,500 more stores across North America by the end of the year, while also expanding into more food service locations. The seafood alternatives are already available at all Whole Foods locations US-wide, and one investor says it expects Konscious Foods to “transform plant-based …

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Better Nature Lidl launch

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Retail & E-Commerce

Better Nature Continues Phenomenal Trajectory With Rollout into 966 Lidl Stores

Better Nature, the UK brand spearheading the rise of Tempeh 2.0, announces a nationwide rollout of its Organic Tempeh, Curry Tempeh Pieces and Mediterranean Tempeh Pieces into all 966 Lidl stores across the country. The retail expansion comes as part of Lidl’s Vegan Week (today 27th July to 2nd August) and marks the brand’s biggest ever product rollout with over 50,000 units shipped. In the past year alone, Better Nature has raised £700K in a seed plus round; secured listings with Holland & Barrett, Selfridges, Gopuff, and allplants; launched a £3M funding round and secured its first UK supermarket listing at Tesco. Better Nature has plans for expansion in the UK and mainland Europe, as well as launching new tempeh lines and focusing on NPD …

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Better Nature co founders

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Interviews

Better Nature: “In 5 Years, Tempeh Will Be a Mainstream Food Across the UK, Europe, and the US”

We’ve been following the journey of Better Nature over the past three years and it’s wonderful to see the tempeh pioneers achieve mainstream retail success in the UK, with a rollout into more than 400 Tesco stores taking place tomorrow. We had a quick catch-up with CEO and Co-founder Christopher Kong to find out what this milestone represents for the brand, and why tempeh truly deserves a place on the supermarket shelf. Tell us about your business mission. Our mission is to help people live healthier lives with tempeh, the all-natural plant-based food from Indonesia that’s packed with protein and gut-friendly. Congratulations on your new listing with Tesco – what does it signify for Better Nature? Our launch into over 400 Tesco stores on 1st …

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Better Nature

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Investments & Acquisitions

Better Nature Launches £3M Funding Round, Secures First UK Supermarket Listing at Tesco

UK tempeh producer Better Nature has launched a £3 million Series A round to help it expand into retailers and food service providers throughout the UK and Europe. The news comes as the brand prepares to launch at over 400 Tesco stores on June 1, marking its first UK supermarket listing. The tempeh will then roll out at another major supermarket in July. The Series A round will be led by institutional investors, angels, and value-add strategic investors. It follows a £1.6 million seed round in 2021 and a £700,000 seed plus round late last year. Better Nature currently has listings at Selfridges, Mindful Chef, Planet Organic and allplants, along with REWE in Germany. The brand plans to expand into more European countries and the …

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Company News

After Smashing the UK Market, Better Nature Brings its Tempeh to Germany

Twice as much protein as tofu, twice as much fibre as an apple and as much iron as beef: Better Nature wants to conquer the German meat alternative market with its tempeh products. Tempeh consists only of fermented soybeans, water and a mycelium starter culture. It is also extremely versatile: unlike tofu, tempeh takes on flavours quickly and requires little marinade. This makes it particularly suitable for meat-free dishes, from curries and stir-fries to sandwiches and salads. In the UK, tempeh is already experiencing strong market growth, and the startup also recently launched in Swiss retail. Now Better Nature is bringing its tempeh products to Germany: at REWE Nord, the Tempeh Pieces are available as bite-sized, ready-marinated bites in Mediterranean, Curry and BBQ varieties. Tempeh …

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better nature tempeh products

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Investments & Finance

Better Nature Raises £700K to Fuel Tempeh Awareness and Growth

UK brand Better Nature, specialising in tempeh-based meat alternatives, recently announced a £700K Seed Plus round to fuel retail presence in the UK and Europe ahead of a bigger series A round next year. The funds will support the brand’s new listing with Holland & Barrett and will also build on existing listings with Selfridges, Gopuff, and allplants. The investment round was led by 67 investors, including previous backers from a private crowdfunding campaign launched on Seedrs in March 2021, alongside two new investors in innovative and sustainable businesses, including the Global Entrepreneurship Centre. Expansion plans for 2023 Besides retail growth in the UK, Better Nature will focus on expansion in mainland Europe through the launch of its tempeh products in Germany’s second-largest supermarket Rewe in early 2023. …

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Better Nature Migros

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Products & Launches

Better Nature Launches at Switzerland’s Largest Supermarket Chain Migros

UK tempeh brand Better Nature has launched three products — Mince, Rashers, and Roast Bites — at Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain, Migros. The products will be available across the country at over 300 stores, in what Better Nature describes as “potentially the single largest rollout of tempeh in all of Europe”. The range launched in the UK last year, but only at online retailers. Continued innovation The news comes just two months after Better Nature appointed a new non-executive director, former Planet Organic CEO Peter Marsh. The brand also received a £350,000 grant from a UK government agency earlier this year to develop a fish alternative made via precision fermentation of industry byproducts. Migros and alt protein Migros is increasingly supporting alt protein innovation, partnering …

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peter-marsch-planet-organic

© Planet Organic
People

Better Nature Appoints Ex CEO of Planet Organic & World’s Most Cited Food Scientist to Fuel Growth

UK-based tempeh startup Better Nature announces the appointments of ex-Planet Organic CEO Peter Marsh as Non-Executive Director, and Prof. Julian McClements, the world’s most cited food scientist, as Innovation Advisor. Peter Marsh, who established Planet Organic as one of the UK’s largest organic and health retailers until his retirement in 2021, will be supporting Better Nature with its entrance into UK supermarkets and with plans for international expansion. Marsh states: “Making high-quality, healthy foods more widely accessible is really important to me. Working with Better Nature to get more people across the UK and further afield eating nutritious, delicious and versatile tempeh is a challenge I’m very excited to take on.” Newly appointed Innovation Advisor Prof. Julian McClements, who has published over 1300 scientific articles …

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Fish Alternative Made With Food Byproducts

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Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Better Nature Bags £350K to Create Fish Alternative From Upcycled Food Byproducts

UK tempeh brand Better Nature has received a £350,000 grant from Innovate UK, a governmental agency which provides funds and support those innovating new products, to develop a fish alternative made with food byproducts. The company will use a new tempeh-inspired proprietary fermentation method to give the industry byproducts the taste and texture of fish. Better Nature says it is hoping to achieve a product that is “physically, visually, nutritionally, and sensorially equivalent, if not superior, to fish”. The project is set to run until 2024, with support from leading European fermentation companies such as Nucaps Nanotechnology, Neoalgae Micro Seaweeds Products, and Estonia’s Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies. Better Nature hopes to commercialise the fish alternative by 2026. Better Nature’s continuing success story In …

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Products & Launches

Better Nature Drops New Range with Ribs, Rashers, and Roasts

Following its recent £1.6 million Seed Round, UK meat-free brand Better Nature is launching a brand-new product range just in time for summer. The new tempeh-based products are staples for any vegan BBQ, brunch, or Sunday roast dinner with the family.  Better Nature prides itself on its nutritious products that support a healthy gut and lifestyle, and the new range has received the highest possible rating for its carbon footprint. The products are also both carbon and plastic negative, meaning they offset double what they produce. Fabio Rinaldo, Co-founder and Head of Product Development and Operations at Better Nature comments, “This new range is a result of our ongoing mission to make a plant-based lifestyle more accessible and enjoyable, by removing the need to compromise …

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