ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN
ACCELERATOR

MAF celebrates the sweeping success of its Better Plate alternative protein track within MassChallenge Israel’s 2022 Accelerator program!

 

Early-stage Israeli startups PoLoPo, which pioneered a game-changing method to grow egg protein from plants, and AlgaHealth, which addresses food production and nutritional challenges through the revolutionary use of microalgae, were the two Better Plate cohorts selected to participate in a MassChallenge roadshow to New York and Boston, granting them audiences with major investors, officials and business leaders.

 

“The outsized success of Better Plate cohorts reflects the tremendous potential of AgriFoodTech in general, and alternative proteins in particular, to mitigate major global challenges including global food security, environmental crises and supply chain issues,” said Levana Shifman, executive director of the Modern Agriculture Foundation. Better Plate cohorts represent just five out of 42 total MC Israel cohorts (or 12 percent), and yet they snagged two of 10 (20 percent) of the coveted spots in the upcoming roadshow.

 

“MassChallenge Israel is laser focused on creating positive impact and is committed to further developing our vibrant innovation ecosystem,” remarked Aaron Zucker, executive director of MC Israel. “Alternative protein innovation has far-reaching implications for our planet and humanity, and impact investors are increasingly cognizant of that fact.”

 

In its first year, the Better Plate track is the only accelerator in the Middle East specifically tailored to the needs of high-impact alternative protein startups.

 

“Better Plate engaged phenomenal mentors and experts,” said Eran Itzkovitch, CEO of AlgaHealth, who received his award from MAF’s Shifman. “Working closely with such a strong group brought us one big step closer to a better, healthier world.”

 

“We couldn’t have asked for a more excellent program. We were privileged to be part of the 2022 cohort, among so many amazing startups,” emphasized PoLoPo co-founders Maya Sapir-Mir and Raya Liberman Aloni, who accepted their award from MC Israel’s Zucker along with his predecessor Yonit Serkin.

 

Hundreds convened at Jerusalem’s Shalem College July 20 for the announcement of the roadshow winners at the celebratory culmination of the accelerator, which included warm greetings from Mayor Moshe Leon.

 

 “MAF is deeply grateful to its indispensable partners for their invaluable support, ensuring the track’s success and enabling our promising startups to soar,” remarked Shifman, praising InNegev, a unique technology incubator in Israel’s Negev region; Reinhold Cohn Group, a leading Israeli patent firm; Proveg International and Animal Charity Evaluators.

The alternative protein industry has the potential to solve the world's pressing climate and food security challenges. It is also one of the fastest growing high-tech fields in Israel. Local foodtech hubs and incubators, however, do not focus on climate change, sustainability, or animal welfare concerns. Numerous young promising companies therefore lack resources specifically tailored to assist in their first business steps.
 
At the beginning of 2022, The Modern Agriculture Foundation launched the Middle East's first alternative protein accelerator track: The Better Plate, a unique alternative protein-focused accelerator track.
 
Operated in partnership with MassChallenge Israel (MCIL) within MassChallenge Israel’s Core Accelerator, and coupled with an outstanding team of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, The Better Plate track accelerates Israeli and international early-stage startups developing plant-based proteins, fermentation, cultivated meat, or related sustainable food innovations that seek to disrupt the conventional animal protein sector.