Organized by a non-profit organization focused on new proteins KindEarth.Tech, Singapore’s cell-based seafood and meat pioneer Shiok Meats, and local education and event management company SciGlo, the Alternative Protein & FoodTech Show was held over 3 days in Singapore from 25th to 27th August 2021 at Ravel Innovation and Innovate 360.

It was the first of its kind union of founders, thought leaders, investors, innovators, scientists, food technologists, farmers, and consumer brand leaders under one roof, designed to demystify the potential of alternative proteins in building a sustainable future of food for generations to come.

Ira Van Eelen, Co-founder & CEO, KindEarth.Tech (Netherlands) shared her excitement virtually, thanking the attendees and speakers for joining KET in its mission to inspire & combine bright ideas through the APS show. “I am so glad that Singapore could host an in-person event where people across sectors could spend time exchanging ideas and sowing the seeds of future collaborations.”, said Ira. KET had recently organized another event called – The Science of Taste in Alternative Proteins on 30th June 2021 in a virtual setting to help learn more about the specifics of tastes and textures in alternative protein development.

The three-day show conducted in-person was worth the wait after several months of changing regulations as more than 200 attendees got an opportunity to share, learn, and network with industry leaders across eight profoundly enlightening sessions – 1)Plant-based and Cell-based seafood 2)Trends Analysis of the Future of Food 3) Insect-based Proteins 4)Consumer Perceptions 5)Plant-based and Cell-based meats 6) Investments in the novel foods space 7)Alternative Protein economy 8) Industry, Regulatory, & Academia Collaborations.

Some of the speakers at the event included Adam Padang (Executive Chairman, Padang & Co.), Alex Ward (COO, Tindle Foods), Ronald Dalderup (CMO, Growthwell Foods), Mirte Gosker (Acting Managing Director, GFI APAC), Christian Cadeo (Managing Partner, Big Idea Ventures), Didier Chanove (Head of Marketing & Digital, Unilever), Mihir Pershad (CEO, Umami Meats), Kelvin Ng (Director-ASEAN, Green Monday), Mei Fah Kok (Regional Creatives & Application director, IFF), Wendy Soo (Head of Customer Technical Services, Roquette), and Brandon Chong (Partner, Rage Capital) amongst others. Joining virtually were Meirav Yom Tov (Vice President, Aleph Farms), Josh Tetrick (Co-founder & CEO, Eat Just), Tom Berry (Co-CEO, Nutrition Technologies), and also representatives from Bluenalu, Avant Meats, and many more.

“The APS event was curated carefully so as to help participants gain a global perspective through the Asian lens. It is about time that the different cornerstones of the Alternative Protein ecosystem – investments, academia, research, policy, economics, and industry come together for constructive interactions around collaborations and partnerships while advancing the agenda of novel foods. I am sure many exciting conversations with long-term potential would have been sparked during this event, “said Dr. Sandhya Sriram, CEO & Co-founder of Shiok Meats Pte. Ltd.

The Alternative Protein space has gained momentum in the last couple of years with the influx of strategic funding, buy-ins from large FMCG conglomerates and traditional food giants, and advancement in cellular agriculture technology. However, the industry still faces hurdles when it comes to price economics, mass adoption, and full-blown regulatory approvals.

The first day and third days saw keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking along with company exhibitions.

The second day of the event saw more than ten promising startups from across 4 countries battle it out in a Startup Pitch Competition judged by luminaries in their fields; John Friedman (Asia Director, AgFunder), John Cheng (Director, Innovate360), and Shi Yun Tan (Head of Sales, SEA, Taiwan, and Oceania). The top three spots went to ventures that presented viable solutions to real problems in the Food space; prizes include cash as well as hampers/co-working space packaging and many more – First prize was won by Angie’s Tempeh; Second prize was won by SinFooTech and in for the third prize there were 2 winners, Evo Foods and UrbanTiller.

The organizers also partnered with Chef Jose Luis from Classic Fine Foods and Chef Sowmiya Venkatesan from Kechil Kitchen (a MasterChef Singapore finalist) to offer exclusive culinary workshops with plant-based constituents, driving a vivid experience allowing attendees to explore how novel foods can seamlessly blend into regular recipes.

The event would not have been successful without the invaluable support from the sponsors and partners – Toyo Seikan Group (Platinum Sponsor), Merck Group (Gold Sponsor), Advance Lab (Silver Sponsor), Roquette (Innovation Sponsor), Pen and Tec Consulting, and Aleph Farms (Supporting Sponsors), and Stemcell Tech, Educated Choice Program, Ravel Innovation and many more.

The delegates were also treated to a bento box lunch/dinner with plant-based meat dishes from companies like Alchemy, Urban Tiller, Roquette, Nutculture, Top Tier Foods, Unilever (The Vegetarian Butcher), and Creative Eateries. Zenko Superfoods and Kombynation also sponsored snacks and drinks.