Good news for startups in the organic food sector. European organic food company Wessanen, initiated the Organic Food Against Climate Change Challenge (OFACC). In this kickstarter project, ten selected startups will get training and masterclasses on how to develop an organic and sustainable business. There is a prize of € 10k for the winning startup, made possible by Wessanen and Triodos Bank. The challenge will officially launch at Biofach, the ‘world’s leading trade fair for organic food’, that will take place from 15-18 February in Nuremberg, Germany. Subscriptions for the challenge have opened this week. The kickstarter project has no definite location yet, but it will probably take place at ImpactHub Amsterdam.
Innovation in the food market
Climate change has never been as tangible as it is today. Entrepreneurs working in the food sector will sooner or later be confronted with choices related to environment and sustainability. Wessanen wants to motivate young entrepreneurs to further develop ideas that contribute to a better climate. Klaus Arntz, Wessanen’s EVP Marketing & Sustainability: “There are many entrepreneurs with valuable ideas for improvement. We want to use our capacity to help them make the real difference”.
OFACC’s Incubation program
Wessanen joined forces with ImpactHub Amsterdam and Triodos Bank. Together they will select the ten most promising startups in the organic food sector. The selected startups will get professional support to kickstart their startup in an incubation program. The program consists of three intensive training days, and four masterclasses. Arntz: “We will focus on topics such as business modeling, the grow and scale of your business, and marketing, branding & packaging and finance.” Besides sharing their expertise, Wessanen will also bring the startups into contact with relevant partners in their business.
The selection procedure
In the selection process, Wessanen will look at the startup’s proof-of-concept, such as revenue generating and revenue testing. Besides that, the startup should be developing a scalable food enterprise that meets at least one of the following criteria: it should replace conventional with organic food; it should replace animal protein with plant based alternatives; it should reduce food waste; or it should increase awareness of and knowledge about sustainable food. The selected startups will be announced on April 22nd.
About Wessanen
Wessanen is a European food company, based in the Netherlands. The company is what they call a ‘green business’, caring about the health of people and planet. Therefore, they promote a healthy and eco friendly lifestyle, and market brands that are usually organic, vegetarian, and natural. Wessanen is the parent company of among others Zonnatura(Dutch), Clipper Teas, and Tartex.
Want to sign up for the Organic Food Against Climate Change Challenge? Click here. Deadline for submissions: 10 April 2017.
