Food tech is rapidly transforming how we grow, produce, and consume food, and at the forefront of this revolution is VC firm PeakBridge Ventures. During a recent podcast interview with its founding partner, Nadav Berger, we explored the trends shaping this sector.
The full video podcast is available on Sesamers YouTube channel:
Here are the five most interesting takeaways from our conversation.
The Shift Toward Alternative Proteins
Alternative proteins have been a hot topic in food tech, and Nadav emphasized their importance for sustainability. “The revolution is here, and it has to happen because we don’t have the land and water to grow more animals,” he explained. While the initial hype led to a saturated market, only the strongest companies are scaling effectively, which will be key: Berger highlighted that achieving global adoption depends on the scalability and affordability of these innovations.
Investing in Ingredients: A Winning Strategy
Focusing on ingredients often yields the best results, according to Berger. “Most exciting exits in food tech are in the ingredient space,” he said. Startups working in B2B, particularly in scalable technologies like plant-based flavor and texture enhancements, are well-positioned to succeed. Teaming up with startups focusing on these foundational innovations also creates opportunities for big industry players.
Building Bridges Between Startups and Industry Giants
Collaboration with established players like Nestlé or Danone is vital for startups aiming to scale. “In food, it has to do with scale… to serve millions of consumers, you need production, safety, regulation, and distribution,” Berger said. Startups often lack these resources, which is why partnerships are crucial. VCs also play a part: PeakBridge Ventures aims to act as a bridge, connecting startups with the expertise and networks they need.
The Human Factor in Investment Decisions
For Berger, investing is deeply personal. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the people,” he said. Understanding the values and motivations of entrepreneurs is essential for long-term collaboration, and that’s also true among investors and more generally. Nadav even shared a story about how a lunch meeting helped him decide whether to partner with another investor, underscoring the importance of personal connection in professional relationships.
The Future of Food Tech is in Europe
Berger is convinced that Europe is a hub for groundbreaking food tech research, thanks to strong academic institutions and innovative companies. “Europe is amazing because the science and R&D are very deep,” he said. By betting on seed-stage investments in Europe, PeakBridge hopes to help the region gain leadership in areas like alternative proteins, sustainable ingredients, and food system innovation.
Find Nadav on:
LinkedIn: Nadav Berger
Twitter/X: @PeakBridge
Find Ben on:
LinkedIn: Ben Costantini
Twitter/X: @bencostantini
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