In the alternative food industry, partnerships between startups and corporations are beneficial for both sides. Emerging technologies in areas like cultivated meat and precision fermentation often start small, which fosters innovation but limits their ability to feed the growing population.

For meaningful change in the food sector, startups need corporate partners to help scale their ideas. Floor Buitelaar, co-founder of Bright Green Partners, explains that startups can’t transform the world alone; they require resources, funding, and infrastructure that larger companies provide.

Corporate partners offer essential strategic guidance, supply chain integration, and market access. However, it’s crucial to keep startups separate from corporate structures initially to avoid bureaucratic hurdles that can stifle innovation. This isolation allows corporations to harness the agility and energy of startups.

Buitelaar also notes that the alternative food sector has matured significantly in the past five years, with a more robust value chain and numerous research institutions.

Today, specialized firms like Bright Green Partners exist to assist food tech companies in scaling their operations. Startups now have many options beyond just aligning with large corporations, making the path to growth more accessible than ever.

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