Dao Foods: February 2024
Dao Foods' co-founder Tao Zhang's TED Talk, 70/30 Food Tech closes seed extension successfully, new fermentation report, and More
Is alternative meat the recipe for a healthier planet?
That was the question posed by Dao Foods’ co-founder Tao Zhang during his recent TED Talk, released to the world in early January. Filmed last fall as part of a sustainability-focused TED event that also featured former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, among others, Tao directly addressed the challenges facing alternative protein adoption in China and laid out his, and Dao Foods’, recipe for overcoming those limitations.
“How exactly do we get people in China to embrace new proteins, as has happened in other parts of the world?,” he asked. ”Growing up in China, I always see food as an integral part of my culture. On all occasions, big or small, there's some banquet. Like when babies are born, loved ones pass away, friends get together or bid farewell to one another. And we always need the so-called hard dishes, ying cai, as a core part of these occasions, meaning dishes with abundance and varieties of meat.”
It’s no coincidence that China consumes 26% of the world's meat and 45% of its seafood. Tao’s video, which has so far reached more than half a million people, showed why getting Chinese consumers to switch to plant-based alternatives is vital to tackling climate change and explores how it's also a massive business opportunity to bring tasty, affordable new proteins to market.
You can watch Tao’s full TED appearance below:
Also, have you read our new fermentation report yet? Download your copy of “The Role of Fermentation in New Protein Adoption in China” today.
Thanks & Regards,
— Dao Foods International
Blue Canopy
Buck
Wellness Wonders of Vancouver: 15 Startups Redefining Health in British Columbia
Startup Showcase: BUCK – Revolutionizing Dairy Alternatives with Buckwheat
Starfield
Starfield extends partnership with Sam’s Club, unveiling new offerings including the Italian Style Sandwich and Poki Salad Bar
Liven Proteins
Fei Luo of Liven Proteins Corp. Wins VWS Pathfinder Pitch Competition
Famous for Wild Salmon, Canada Invests $11.4M in Whole-Cut Plant-Based Alternative
iRaw&Rock
True Plants
True Plants expands its portfolio, venturing into the hotpot restaurant scene with a single store achieving a notable 450 cups in monthly sales
Zero Limit
Zero Limit continues its product innovation, launching the Spring Festival Vegan Butter Cookie Gift Box, Snow Cake with Raspberry, and Hawthorn Cake
70/30
AgFunderNews: In November, Tao Zhang spoke with AgFunderNews at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Foods Innovation Summit in Singapore, discussing the state of the plant-based market in China, the messaging that resonates with Chinese consumers, and the regulatory issues facing alternative protein startups in China. What is the market opportunity in China for meat and dairy alternatives?
Asymmetrics Research: China Alternative Protein Products Market Landscape
China Dialogue: Why China’s alternative protein market matters
Global Seafood Alliance: China approves the use of Calysta’s alternative protein in aquaculture feeds
Green Queen: L’Oréal Launches Animal-Free Collagen Skincare in China, As Recombinant Technology Gains Steam. Authored by Rouyu Wu, Director of Investment and Innovation at Dao Foods. For a more in-depth view of China’s developments in fermentation and new proteins, download The New Protein Adoption in China Report.
Green Queen: What Do Asian Consumers Want From Plant-Based Meat? 4 Startup Founders Spill All
Guardian: Reinventing the eel: first lab-grown eel meat revealed
New Scientist: Lab-engineered cow cells could slash the cost of cultured meat
New York Times: The Revolution That Died on Its Way to Dinner. This piece has been getting a lot of attention recently, but it is really more focused on the prospects for cultivated meat alone rather than the whole alternative protein sector. For plant-based, especially in China, it would be a different story, particularly with plant-based drinks and beverages and plant-based bakery as well.
Newsweek: Rice-Grown Meat Will Offer 'World of Possibilities'
Vegconomist: GEA Announces $20 Million Investment in Wisconsin Alternative Protein Technology Center. The company, a global leader in engineering systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, hopes the new facility will help alternative protein “overcome scaling challenges and accelerate the industry’s growth.”
VegOut: Matthew Kenney Plans to Open Plant-Based Food Halls Across China
Vox: Sell lab-grown meat in Tennessee, pay a $1 million fine
New Protein Industry Innovation and Development Forum
June, 2023, Shanghai
Dao Foods was invited to co-host the New Protein Industry Innovation and Development Forum in Shanghai with The Good Food Institute, held as part of the 24th annual Hi & Fi Asia-China Exhibition. The forum, attended by over 100,000 professionals, featured representatives from major international food industry players and focused on discussing cutting-edge technologies, R&D trends, and market prospects in the new protein industry
Cell-Based Protein Safety & Industry Development Seminar
July, 2023, Shanghai
CFSA (China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment) held a seminar on the safety and industry development of Cell-based alternative proteins, conducting research on the development of the industry and the mid-to-downstream sectors to serve as a basis for relevant approval policies. At the seminar, Dao Foods emphasized sharing the current status and trends of domestic and international investment and financing in Cell-based alternative proteins.
Dao Foods 2023 Public Demo Day
August, 2023
The Dao Foods 2023 public demo day unfolded seamlessly, spotlighting presentations from five companies—Liven, Plant Now!, ProTi Tech, Zero Limit, and Buck. These enterprises, all nurtured and invested in by Dao Foods during their early stages, presented their business plans and latest developments to a global audience. Whether as technology-driven entities or consumer packaged goods companies, their accomplishments and future trajectories were clearly outlined during the conference.
The Good Food Institute Conference
September, 2023, San Fransisco
Albert Tseng led a lunchtime roundtable discussion with Ziliang Yang from CellX on the advancements in alternative protein within China during The Good Food Institute Conference.
Plant Based World Expo North America
September, 2023, New York City
Albert Tseng participated in a panel discussion on global advancements in plant-based foods at the Plant Based World Expo North America. Onstage, he was joined by Tawanda Muzhingi, Director of International Programs at the Plant Based Foods Association, and Marie Jørgensen, Senior Commercial Advisor/Food with the Danish Consulate General.
YGT Talk
September, 2023
Tao participated in the Young Green Tech-hosted webinar, YGT Talk, discussing an inquiry that scrutinizes the current state of new protein entrepreneurship in China from an investor's perspective. The investigation delves into optimistic and concerning directions, analyzes successful cases, and compares the entrepreneurial landscape in the new protein sector across the United States, Europe, and China to identify similarities and differences.
Yangtze River Delta Synthetic Biology Industry Development Conference
November, 2023, Rugao
The inaugural Yangtze River Delta (Rugao) Synthetic Biology Industry Development Conference sought to exchange the latest research progress and achievements in synthetic biology and food technology innovation, fostering sustained regional industry development. Dr. Luo Fei, Founder of Liven Proteins, and Dao Foods' Investment Director, took part in the conference.
China’s Future Agrifood Top 100 Summit
November 2023, Xinxiang
Dao Foods was honored to win two investor awards at the recent China’s Future Agrifood Top 100 Summit in Xinxiang, Henan Province. Co-founder Tao Zhang was named to the Top 10 Industrial Investors of the Year list, while Dao Foods was named to the Top 20 Investment Institutions of the Year. We were the only alternative protein investor selected for these investor awards.
Super Ingredients Conference
November 2023, Hangzhou
Dao Foods hosted a comprehensive synthetic biology forum at the Super Ingredients Conference. The revolutionary food ingredients developed through synthetic biology are paving the way for a new era in the food industry.