Global venture accelerator Brinc has launched its first program in Latin America, the Brazil Food Technology Accelerator Program. Aimed at identifying, investing in, and supporting FoodTech startups, the program will focus on Brazil’s fast-growing sustainable-food market. The program’s main partners include Lever VC, Grupo Baobá, Lifely VC, and Outcast Ventures among others. The accelerator will concentrate on areas like Plant-Based Productions, Alternative Protein, Cellular Agriculture, AgriTech, and Waste Management. Accepted startups will receive investments ranging from US$50,000 to $1million, as well as mentorship, network connections, and technical support. The Brazil Food Technology Accelerator Program aims to establish Brazil as a future global leader in the food-technology space.
Introduction
Hong Kong/São Paulo: Global venture accelerator Brinc is proud to announce the launch of its first accelerator program in Latin America. The program will be established in São Paulo, Brazil, to identify, invest, and support emerging FoodTech start-ups in the country’s fast-growing sustainable-food market. The Brazil Food Technology Accelerator Program opens its applications today [APPLY HERE] for Brazil-based startups as well as international companies looking to enter the region.
Partnerships and Investment
Brinc’s main partners in this ground-breaking initiative are Lever VC, a long-time collaborator and early investor in Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, JUST, and other category leaders; as well as Grupo Baobá, a Brazilian family office actively investing in startups focused on climate change mitigation and food innovation. Investment partners attached to the program include Lever VC, Brazil-based Lifely VC and Outcast Ventures, as well as Angel Ventures (headquartered in Mexico City, with multiple locations across LATAM). Brinc will also be partnering with Bioma Food Hub, a co-working space and food community where the accelerator program will be run out of as well as corporate innovation consultancy, Food Ventures, to support community engagement and ecosystem development.
Program Details
The new Food Technology Accelerator Program will identify and foster FoodTech innovation across high-growth areas including: Additives for Plant-Based Productions, Alternative Protein, Cellular Agriculture, Farm to Table, Food Safety, Novel Ingredients, Precision Fermentation, AgriTech and Supply Chain/Waste Management.
Innovative startups accepted into the three-month acceleration will receive investment of US$50,000–$1million (along with follow-up funding opportunities post program); as well as global mentorship, network connections and technical support. Mature international startups that endeavor to enter the Brazilian market are also welcome to apply, to leverage the support offered through the program to access local customers.
Market Analysis
Brinc identifies Latin America, and especially Brazil, as a future global leader in the food-technology space. The Good Food Institute (GFI) says Brazil’s plant-based protein market has grown exponentially in recent years, making it the world’s fifth-most important market in healthy foods, with a yearly growth rate of 20% (against a global average of 8%). Furthermore, GlobalData researchers found that a third of Brazilians are buying less meat, with 14% consuming more alternative proteins; while a recent DuPont survey found that 62% of Brazilians are interested in plant-based foods.
Program Overview
The new Brazil Food Technology Accelerator Program will help startups avoid common challenges and pitfalls while propelling them to their next level of development. Three Core Program Pillars will play a pivotal role in establishing a solid foundation for selected startups:
1) Technical Development: Access to co-packers, manufacturers and R&D facilities through local vendors and partners in the region
2) Commercialization: Access to traditional food and beverage corporations seeking to engage with startups, plus access to traditional and online distribution channels
3) Fundraising: Access to Brinc’s network of regional and international investors.
Question & Answer
What is the focus of the Brazil Food Technology Accelerator Program?
The program focuses on identifying, investing in, and supporting FoodTech startups in Brazil’s sustainable-food market.
Who are the main partners of the Brazil Food Technology Accelerator Program?
The main partners include Lever VC, Grupo Baobá, Lifely VC, and Outcast Ventures among others.
What areas will the accelerator concentrate on?
The accelerator will concentrate on areas like Plant-Based Productions, Alternative Protein, Cellular Agriculture, AgriTech, and Waste Management.
What support will accepted startups receive?
Accepted startups will receive investments ranging from US$50,000 to $1 million, as well as mentorship, network connections, and technical support.
