Newform Foods takes the stage at the Global Startup Awards Africa.
Out of 8200 entries from 54 countries, including 71 finalists and 16 winners, the company pitched at the event which honoured excellence in the startup space. Brett Thompson, the co-founder and CEO, brought the cultivated meat discussion to this global stage while the company was named a regional winner for Southern Africa.
The Global Startup Awards Africa is the fastest growing innovation community and has grown tremendously since its inception in 2021. The summit was organised by the Ethiopian Ministry of Labour and Skills (MOLS) and the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) with the support of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) of Ethiopia.
The event gave startups from around the globe the opportunity to showcase their contribution to the future of African development and Newform Foods got to introduce their bioproduction platform as a way to tackle food security issues and transform the global food system.
“We’re proud to be representing Africa and we’re honoured to showcase the progress we’ve made over the last few years. This is an opportunity to connect with leaders and investors who are just as hungry as we are to make Africa a hub of innovation,” Thompson stated at the event.
Newform Foods is looking to connect with a broader customer base wanting to incorporate cultivated animal products into their offering. Supported by partners like UVU Bio and MANE who helped accelerate the development of technology ready for food and meat companies around the world.
Cultivated meat involves growing meat from animal cells without the need to raise or slaughter the animal. Currently, the barriers to entry in the market are the costs and time needed to produce this type of food at scale. By merging cost efficiency and pioneering science, through tailored solutions including media development, cell line creation, and bioreactor plans, Newform Foods wants to make delicious cultivated animals products accessible to everyone. After unveiling Africa’s first cultivated beef burgers and lamb meatballs, the company is focusing on research and development, growing their team and securing like-minded partners on the journey to scale.
