Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights into the food industry. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked functional food solutions.
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 5 Top Startups developing Functional Food Solutions out of 213
The insights of this data-driven analysis are derived from the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2.093.000+ startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you an exhaustive overview of emerging technologies & relevant startups within a specific field in just a few clicks.
The Global Startup Heat Map below reveals the distribution of the 213 exemplary startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Further, it highlights 5 functional food solutions that we hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. You get to explore the solutions of these 5 startups & scaleups in this report. For insights on the other 208 functional food solutions, get in touch.
Click to download
Merit provides Functional Proteins
Presently, the prime source of protein for human consumption include meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. With increasing hybridization and genetic modification of these food sources, there is a need for alternative protein solutions. Therefore, startups are developing plant-based protein-rich functional food choices.
Canadian startup Merit Functional Food produces plant-based functional proteins. Merit Functional Food offers non-GMO pea protein and canola protein. The protein solution is flavor-neutral, highly soluble, and color-neutral. Further, the MeritPRO solution provides food manufacturers a protein-rich choice for manufacturing food products.
RDCL creates Functional Superfoods
Rising global temperatures negatively affect humans as well as cause dehydration, headaches, and muscle cramps. Adding rich supplements to the water increases its electrolyte contents and keeps the body hydrated for a relatively long period. Thus, startups are developing functional food that increases the hydrating capacity of water.
US-based startup RDCL develops functional superfoods. Radical Elements is a functional superfood mix that hydrates the body, improves immunity and brain concentration, as well as easily blends with real foods, vitamins, minerals, and botanicals. The gluten-free solution contains coconut water, vitamin C from acerola berry, L-theanine from green tea, Rhodiola, and more. Together, these increase the hydrating capacity of water.
Orgao offers Functional Vegan Food
Regular and healthy snacking is gaining traction, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns. As a result, the market is flooded with processed snacks with low nutritional content. Optimizing food solutions by introducing additional nutrients makes it generally healthier. Hence, startups develop functional snacks that have a high nutritional value, in addition to similar taste profiles to conventional snacks.
French startup Orgao provides vegan functional foods with a mix of superfoods and probiotics. The startup offers six diverse ingredient variations of snacks, commonly known as Super Balls, that aim to stimulate different body functions. Besides, each ball encapsulates micro-probiotics to improve overall body functionality. The startup also provides a healthy alternative to modern ultra-processed foods and uses zero artificial ingredients.
NutriParadise works on Functional Therapeutic Food
Patients undergoing treatment or recovery require suitable food to nourish their immune system and complete the recovery. Currently, doctors advise on food intake and disease prevention habits. However, food does not yet synergize with therapy to accelerate patient recuperation. Therefore, startups are developing functional food solutions that are disease-specific and accelerate rehabilitation.
Indian startup NutriParadise develops functional therapeutic food products. The startup develops food for specific disease conditions, for example, DiaSavior, a beverage for diabetic patients, Voz Blue, an immunity drink, Spirulina Choco-Bar for post-pregnancy recovery, and more. The startup’s functional dietary food accelerates patient recovery and positively boosts their healthcare outcomes.
Bone & Broth makes Functional Broths
Today’s urban lifestyle gives preference to fast foods and pre-packaged items due to the convenience and minimal cooking time. However, increasing consumption of such food puts a lot of toxins into the human body. On the contrary, regular detoxification activities help people to better maintain their immune systems. To this avail, startups are curating traditionally cooked functional bone broths for detoxification.
British startup Bone & Broth provides liquid functional food suitable for an urban lifestyle. The startup offers beef bone broth, chicken bone broth, and vegan broth sourced from responsible farms. The soup is slow-cooked using recipes with elements of fusion from East Asia, enhancing its restorative and curative properties. This later provides the body with collagen, gelatin, minerals, and amino acids vital for staying healthy.
Discover more Food Tech Startups
Food startups such as the examples highlighted in this report focus on functional food including proteins and broths as well as vegan and therapeutic foods. While all of these technologies play a major role in advancing the food industry, they only represent the tip of the iceberg. To explore more food technologies, simply get in touch to let us look into your areas of interest. For a more general overview, you can download our free FoodTech Innovation Report to save your time and improve strategic decision-making.
