What inspired the founding of your start-up, and how does your innovation address a critical challenge in the food tech ecosystem?

Funki Foods was founded on the recognition of a looming global protein deficit. Traditional animal protein supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to the unpredictable impacts of climate change and animal diseases. While plant-based proteins offer a partial solution, they often fall short in terms of nutritional completeness and consumer acceptance. Our innovation, mycoprotein, emerges as the "silver bullet" to these challenges. It is a sustainable, clean-label ingredient that can be produced efficiently and robustly in indoor fermenters, offering a resilient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional protein sources. This directly addresses the critical need for scalable, sustainable, and secure protein production within the food tech ecosystem.

What were your objectives at the Future Food Tech summit, and how did you prepare for the event?

Our primary goals for exhibiting at the Future Food Tech Summit were to engage with potential customers, production partners and investors. To prepare effectively, we reached out to key stakeholders via the networking app and LinkedIn.

Can you describe any key outcomes or connections you made at the summit?

Our participation yielded several valuable insights and connections. We established contacts with likely customers and learned about the trends and challenges in the mycoprotein space.

What advice would you give to other early-stage food tech start-ups considering exhibiting at Future Food-Tech?

Pre-event networking is an important step in making the most of your time at events. Additionally, be open to approaching participants on-site, even if you haven't scheduled a meeting.