Hong Kong

GlassWall Syndicate now hosted by Brinc

Image: Brinc/GlassWall Syndicate
Investments & Finance

Alternative Protein Investor Network GlassWall Syndicate Finds “New Home” at Brinc

GlassWall Syndicate (GWS), described as the world’s largest alternative protein investor network, has announced that it is now hosted by Hong Kong-based global venture capital and accelerator firm Brinc. Brinc’s resources and network — including teams across regions such as MENA, India, Singapore, China, and Japan — will allow GWS to enter a new growth phase, increasing critical funding avenues for companies working to combat the climate crisis. Brinc will support GWS in a strategic expansion beyond alternative proteins into sub-verticals such as Climate Adaptation, Advanced Materials, Circular Economy, and more. Going forward, GWS members will still be able to access their existing benefits, with the addition of even more resources, deals, and opportunities. Vetted members will be able to participate in syndicated deals with …

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UNLIMEAT pulled pork wrap launches at Starbucks Hong Kong

© UNLIMEAT/Starbucks Hong Kong
Food Service

UNLIMEAT Pulled Pork Wrap Launches at Starbucks Hong Kong

Korean plant-based meat brand UNLIMEAT has joined forces with Starbucks Hong Kong to offer a plant-based pulled pork wrap. The wrap combines UNLIMEAT’s pork alternative with carrot, red cabbage, and lettuce to create a “satisfying and guilt-free meal”. UNLIMEAT first entered the Hong Kong market in 2020, and has since secured several major collaborations in the region. IKEA Hong Kong launched an Earth Day Menu featuring the brand’s meat alternatives in 2022, and convenience store chain 7-Eleven has introduced two products made with UNLIMEAT’s signature Korean BBQ. “We have been dreaming of launching something at Starbucks ever since we launched our first products in Hong Kong,” said UNLIMEAT CEO Keumchae Min. “Our pulled pork has been our most popular product in the United States, so …

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Omni Seafood range OmniFoods

©OmniFoods
Company News

What’s Been Happening at OmniFoods?

The Hong Kong-based company continues its efforts to remove animals from plates in various global markets. Let’s look at what OmniFoods has been up to recently.  United States In the United States, the recent launch of the Katsu OMNI Luncheon Musubi at 7-Eleven Hawaii received an impressive response, with the product selling out in just three days. The positive reaction secured it a place as a regular item at 7-Eleven Hawaii locations. OmniFoods is currently selling at Walmart, Whole Foods and Sprouts around the country, but it has also hit the shelves at Lily’s Vegan Grocery store in New York and at New Seasons Market locations where it has received a lot of good feedback already. The brand has plans to continue expanding its food …

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© Plant Sifu
Studies & Numbers

86% of Hong Kong Citizens Want More Plant-Based Options in Public Places

A survey by Hong Kong-based youth environmental group EATcofriendly has found that the vast majority of people in the region (86%) want to see more plant-based options in public places. 79% want the government to set up emissions reduction targets and lower-carbon food production strategies, while 70% believe that Hong Kong restaurants do not offer enough meat-free options. EATcofriendly points out that cities such as Paris and Seoul have already set targets for 50% of food sold on public premises (such as hospitals and government buildings) to be plant-based. The group is now calling on the Hong Kong government to do the same. Additionally, EATcofriendly has proposed changes such as including emissions from imported foods in carbon neutrality policies and modifying dietary guidelines. Experts have …

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OmniNano technology

© OmniFoods
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

OmniFoods Reveals Groundbreaking OmniNano Vegan Fat Technology

Hong Kong-based OmniFoods has revealed an innovative new patented technology called OmniNano Vegan Fat, which it says will strengthen the company’s leading position in the alt meat industry. The technology works by emulsifying oil and water, which then penetrates into plant-based materials to replicate animal fat. Fat is extremely important for juicy, high-quality meat, and OmniFoods is using the new vegan alternative to develop a range of plant-based whole cuts. 2023 launch According to the company, OmniNano technology locks flavour into the plant-based meats and improves tenderness. OmniFoods aims to launch the new range — featuring the Plant-Based Beef Cut and Tips, Plant-Based Chicken Wings, and Plant-Based Pork Cutlet — in 2023.  Fat alternatives Several companies are beginning to recognise fat as a key missing …

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Hero Protein

© Hero Protein
Startups, Accelerators & Incubators

Good Food Accelerator Program to Invest $10M in Animal-Free Asian Startups

Leading venture accelerator Brinc and Asian culinary platform DayDayCook have announced they will be investing $10 million in sustainable, animal-free foodtech companies through the Good Food Accelerator Program. The program, operated by Brinc, will help to fund 45 startups over the next three years. Additionally, Brinc has invested $500,000 in DayDayCook, bolstering the alliance between the two companies. Applications for the accelerator program are now open. Successful startups will receive at least $200,000 and will gain access to Brinc and DayDayCook’s network of later-stage investors, both during and after the program. Applicants should be commercially-ready and either located in or looking to enter the Greater China or Asian market. Example investment themes include Alternative Protein, Functional and Novel Ingredients, Sustainable Packaging, Food Supply Chain Innovation, …

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© Plant Sifu
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Plant Sifu Launches Vegan Pork and Dumplings in Hong Kong

Hong Kong-based Good Food Technologies has launched a new brand of vegan pork and dumplings called Plant Sifu. The pork alternative used in the products is made using AROMAX, the company’s proprietary fat technology. According to Good Food Technologies, the vegan pork is lower in calories, fat, and sodium than the conventional variety. Plant-based gelatin structures made from konjac (an East Asian plant) allow for an improved taste and texture while maintaining a good nutritional profile. Disrupting the market In March, Good Food Technologies raised HK$12 million in its seed funding round, which it will use to expand into China and increase R&D efforts. The company is hoping to disrupt the huge Chinese pork market, which is the largest in the world. Pork alternatives in …

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#WeCareWeDare campaign

© Green Monday
Charity & Campaigns

400+ Companies Join Green Monday’s #WeCareWeDare Campaign for Earth Month

Hong Kong-based social venture Green Monday is celebrating its tenth anniversary and Earth Month with a new campaign called #WeCareWeDare. The campaign’s goal is to encourage everyone to adopt a plant-based or flexitarian diet, ultimately making net-zero carbon emissions a reality. Over 400 restaurants and retailers have joined #WeCareWeDare so far, offering new dishes and promotions during Earth Month. These include Ôdelice, Hemingway’s By The Ways, Lan-yang Taiwan, Hoi Hoi Pancake House, and Eat For Green. Many of these are offering menu options made with Green Monday’s own OmniFoods meat and seafood alternatives. “Green Monday will strive to dedicate our best innovation and efforts to contribute to a carbon net-zero future.” Additionally, Green Monday’s plant-based concept store Green Common will be hosting an “Earth Month …

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Starbucks Hong Kong

© Starbucks Hong Kong
Food Service

Starbucks Hong Kong Launches Plant-Based Menu in Collaboration With Oatly and Impossible Foods

Starbucks Hong Kong is to offer a limited-edition gourmet plant-based menu created by celebrity chef Christian Yang. The menu features three savoury options and two desserts, made with ingredients from Oatly and Impossible Foods. The new dishes are: OATLY X Impossible™ Beef Teriyaki Pocket. Impossible™ Pork Greek Style Puff. Impossible™ Beef & Potato Wrap. OATLY Triple Chocolate Éclair. OATLY Mango Earl Grey Mousse. Starbucks is also launching the Strawberry Mango Jelly Starbucks M:lk Cream™ Oolong, featuring a tea base with strawberry sauce and mango jelly chunks. The drink has a cap made with oat milk and whipped rice cream. Starbucks in Asia Starbucks is rapidly expanding its plant-based offerings in the Asia-Pacific region, recently launching its first ever vegan yogurt drink in Korea. In November, …

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Karana Jackfruit Meat Kebabs

©KARANA
Food & Beverage

KARANA Jackfruit Makes US Debut at Multiple San Francisco Restaurants

KARANA, a Singapore-based food tech startup, announces it has partnered with several San Francisco restaurants to serve its realistic jackfruit meat. The event is the first time Karana’s product will be available on American menus, marking its official debut on the US market.  Three acclaimed restaurants – Empress, Wildseed and Base Camp – will feature KARANA’s plant-based meat in signature dumplings, as a specialty pizza topping and more, with Wildseed adding it to the menu as its current vegan pizza sausage as a replacement to the Beyond Meat sausage. For the US launch, the company will sell its jackfruit dumplings and minced meat to chefs and food service in the Bay Area, followed by the Greater Los Angeles region.   “Our original goal was always to …

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green monday to raise 100 million

© Green Monday
Investments & Finance

Green Monday to Raise $100 Million in Collaboration With Bank of America

Green Monday to raise $100 million in funding, believed to be working with Bank of America. As reported by Bloomberg, sources have indicated that plant-based platform Green Monday is seeking to raise a further $100 million in funding. The news comes after the Hong Kong-based company raised a record $70 million last year, led by leading global investment firm TPG and British conglomerate Swire. For the planned raise, Green Monday is reported to be working with Bank of America Corp, but details such as the size and timing of the raise have yet to be confirmed. Representatives from Green Monday and Bank of America have declined to comment. Green Monday in 2021 Earlier this year, Green Monday was named one of China’s 20 most influential …

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Thai Style New Crab Cake Salad OmniFoods

© OmniFoods
Products & Launches

Starbucks Hong Kong Launches OmniFoods Omni Crabcake

Starbucks Hong Kong announces it is to launch OmniSeafood’s plant-based crabcake to its menu, marking the third partnership between OmniFoods and the world’s largest coffee chain, which has been carrying OmniPork in China since April 2020. OmniFoods first launched its range of OmniSeafood this June, consisting of Omni Classic Fillet, Omni Golden Fillet, Omni Ocean Burger, OmniTuna and  OmniSalmon. Further to the previous collaborations with Starbucks in the Philippines and Mainland China, Starbucks Hong Kong will now offer the Thai Style New Crab Cake Salad, incorporating Omni Crab Cake, served with mixed lettuce, pumpkin, tomato and fresh pomelo pulp. The OmniPork based products BBQ Mochi Bun, Mince Roll and Classic Lasagna are available at Starbucks Philippines; The GG Double Flavoured Wrap is served in Starbucks …

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Founders, James Chang (first from left) and Wang Zhonghui (second from right), image supplied
Company News

China: Geb Impact Technology Joins Dao Foods Incubator & Receives Government Grant For Microalgae Cultivation

Geb Impact Technology Company Limited, a Hong Kong biotechnology company cultivating selected microalgae, has received a grant from the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) under the Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS) for a project entitled “All-in-One Euglena by Advanced Fermentation as Main Plant-based Replacement of Meat” with a project budget of $2 million HKD.

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Avant - cultivated fish maw bites - credit Avant

Courtesy of Lever VC
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Cell-Cultured Fish Company Avant Named “Technology Pioneer” by World Economic Forum

Avant, a Hong Kong company developing cell-cultured fish, has been named as one of the World Economic Forum’s “Technology Pioneers”. The company was recognised for its contributions in the field of Global Public Goods. “We believe a technology-enabled food industry allows more efficient use of natural resources and lands for the growing population on this planet.” Carrie Chan In total, 100 companies from 26 countries on six continents made the list. It focuses on early to growth-stage companies that are expected to have a significant impact on business and society. Following the award, Avant CEO Carrie Chan will be invited to take part in World Economic Forum activities, events, and discussions over the next year. The company will also be able to contribute to WEF …

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Nabati Cakes

© Nabati Foods Global Inc.

Company News

Canada’s Nabati Foods Announces Global Expansion Beginning with Asia and Europe

Canadian plant-based food tech company Nabati Foods Global is expanding its distribution into new markets, with its whole and natural products now available in Asia for the first time and Europe next in line for the recently restructured brand.  “We are on a mission to lead the evolution of food, and that means expanding our geographic footprint beyond North America” Nabati’s signature cheesecake is now available in Hong Kong, the Virgin Islands, and Hawaii, in addition to more than 700 stores in North America. Next up for the Edmonton-based company is European distribution, after securing a deal with major food broker the Saralex Group. This deal represents Nabati’s first foray into Europe, with distribution expected to start on the Iberian peninsula in Portugal and Spain …

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OmniTuna OmniFoods

OmniTuna ©OmniFoods
Products & Launches

OmniFoods Reveals Full Range of “OmniSeafood” From Plant-Based Salmon & Tuna to Fillets & Burgers

Following the worldwide success of its OmniPork series, including OmniPork Mince, OmniPork Strip and OmniPork Luncheon, which are now available at over 40,000 points of sale, OmniFoods today announces the launch of OmniSeafood, comprising a full range of plant-based seafood products. “With today’s milestone launch of OmniSeafood, we believe it is a big leap forward to a real sea change.” This May, the Hong Kong based plant-based phenomenon, which provides its famous vegan SPAM to McDonald’s in China, announced the major news of an international price reduction of 22% across signature products OmniPork Mince and OmniPork Strip as well as a 17% drop for OmniPork Luncheon, also announcing it is ramping up production in Thailand, establishing a second production site in China’s Guangdong province, and …

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IKEA Green Monday

Image: David Yeung LinkedIn
Food & Beverage

IKEA Hong Kong & OmniFoods Launch Celebratory Dish For National Day of Sweden

6th June marks the National Day of Sweden and Swedish homeware icon IKEA has collaborated with Asian plant-based phenomenon OmniFoods to create a special dish to celebrate. The news comes just weeks after IKEA’s collaboration with Tokyo alt meat producer Next Meats Co. in Japan. Available in IKEA Hong Kong for the month of June, the pasta dish includes a breaded OmniPork cutlet shaped like a Dala Horse – the traditional carved, painted wooden horse statues of Sweden. OmniPork – OmniFoods’ signature product – recently saw an international price reduction of up to 22% across the range in a bid to achieve price parity with animal pork. The products have also recently landed in both the UK and Japan. IKEA’s plant-based push As for IKEA, …

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why-is-spam-so-popular

©OmniFoods
Company News

OmniPork Drops Prices By 22% to Achieve Price Parity With Pork, Expands Into 20 Global Markets

OmniFoods today announces an international price reduction of 22% across signature products OmniPork Mince and OmniPork Strip as well as a 17% drop for OmniPork Luncheon, AKA the famous vegan SPAM. The company also reports that in order to upscale it is ramping up production in Thailand, establishing a second production site in China’s Guangdong province for the domestic market, as well as actively seeking a further production site in Taiwan.

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