A guide to accelerators and funding for alt-protein startups

…

A group of fifteen people, men and women of varying ages, stand together indoors, smiling at the camera. They are casually dressed, with sunlight streaming in from large windows behind them. — ProVeg Incubator’s most recent cohort.

A practical overview for plant-based innovators

The alternative protein sector is one of the most exciting areas of food innovation. With numerous whitespaces, startups and brands have room to expand and be creative. However, scaling your product from the kitchen to the supermarket takes more than just passion and flavor. For new businesses seeking to make an impact, securing the right support and funding is often the most significant challenge.

Although investment in alternative proteins has slowed in recent years, there are still ways to access support and gain funding. From accelerator programs to grants and strategic investors, here’s a guide to navigating the landscape of opportunities.

Accelerator and incubator programs

Accelerators and incubators can provide more than just capital; they offer mentorship, community, networking, support, and expert guidance to help early-stage companies scale.

ProVeg Incubator

One of the most prominent players in this space is the ProVeg Incubator. It is the world’s leading incubator for alt-protein startups, supporting pioneering companies that develop disruptive alternatives to animal-based products and ingredients.

To date, the ProVeg Incubator has already supported 116 startups from 38 countries. This five-month, Berlin-based program offers support through personalized services and mentorship from more than 100 industry experts.

Startups receive expert-led workshops, coaching, and access to a global network of industry professionals. The program culminates in a ’Demo Day’ where founders can pitch their solutions to investors.

To learn more about the ProVeg Incubator, visit their website here.

Big Idea Ventures

This global firm is a highly active investor in the food tech space, with accelerator programs located in cities like New York, Paris, and Singapore. The Big Idea Ventures’ Accelerator Program takes five months to complete, and focuses on companies in food innovation, specifically sustainable proteins, fats, and other key ingredients.

accelerators and funding. Four people in a modern office space, three seated with laptops on a blue couch, listening to a fourth person standing and presenting ideas on a whiteboard with sticky notes.

They offer a USD 200,000 investment for participants in their program, and top-performing companies have the opportunity to receive up to USD 2.5 million in follow-on funding.

To learn more about the Big Idea Ventures’ Accelerator Program, visit their website here.

EIT Food Accelerator Network

Co-funded by the European Union, the EIT Food Accelerator Network is a two- to three-month program designed to help agrifood tech startups accelerate their technology development and prepare for commercialisation.

The program is theme-based, delivered through six innovation hubs in Europe and provides EUR 50,000 in funding. It also gives startups and companies exclusive access to corporate partners and a large network of mentors and investors.

To learn more about the EIT Food Accelerator Network, visit their website here.

Brinc FoodTech

A global venture accelerator and investment firm, Brinc operates a Food Technology Accelerator program that works with alternative protein, food packaging, and other food tech startups.

The program’s investment ticket varies based on the program, location and other variables. However, previous startups have received funding of up to USD 80,000. Opportunities for follow-on funding are also available.

It runs for approximately three months and is run globally in various locations, including Hong Kong and Singapore.

To learn more about Brinc FoodTech’s Accelerator, visit their website here.

Grants and loans

For mission-driven brands, grants can provide non-dilutive funding to support specific projects or research.

GFI Alternative Protein Research Grants: The Good Food Institute (GFI) offers research grants for projects that advance the science and technology of plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat. The program has awarded 129 grants since 2019, totalling over USD 24 million in research funding. GFI seeks to fund innovative research that can solve challenges related to taste, cost, and scalability. For more information on this grant, visit GFI’s website here.
European Investment Bank: The European Investment Bank (EIB) also provides loans to food-tech startups. This funding often supports the scaling of production and investment in research and development. For example, Spanish plant-based company Heura Foods acquired a EUR 20 million loan from the EIB to help them develop and market new plant-based alternatives to meat, cheese, and other animal products. This loan will also be used to scale up production capacity and fund necessary lab equipment.¹ For more information on this loan, visit the EIB website here.
US Federal Funding: Small businesses in the US can explore federal programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which provide grants for scientific research with commercial potential. For more information on this grant, visit this website.
StartLife: Based in the Netherlands, StartLife offers pre-seed loans of up to EUR 250,000 for agrifood tech startups. They also provide access to a network of investors and support in securing other non-equity funding. For more information, visit StartLife’s website here.

Venture capital firms and investors

Once you have traction, venture capital (VC) funding can accelerate your growth. Several VC firms now specialize in alternative protein and plant-based brands.

CPT Capital: A pioneer in the space, CPT Capital exclusively invests in animal-free innovations. Their portfolio includes UK favorites like THIS and Beyond Meat, alongside high-tech ventures such as Hoxton Farms and Better Dairy.
Veg Capital: Founded by Veganuary’s Matthew Glover, this non-profit VC fund invests in early-stage vegan companies and channels profits back into charitable causes.
Blue Horizon: A global impact investor committed to creating a sustainable food system. Blue Horizon has backed brands like Impossible Foods and Planted, with a mission to speed the transition to a sustainable food system.
Synthesis Capital: Synthesis backs founders whose companies are transforming the food system using biotech and food tech to replace industrial animal agriculture. They have invested in several companies, including Beyond and Impossible Foods.
Lever VC: A seed-stage fund investing in both plant-based consumer brands and cellular agriculture startups. They invest in novel ingredient companies, technology-driven companies, and product-driven companies.
S2G Ventures: With investments in Beyond Meat, S2G operates at the intersection of food, agri-tech, and sustainability.
Astanor Ventures: A European fund focused on technology-enabled food system solutions, with a commitment to sustainability and nutrition.

Leveraging crowdfunding: turning customers into investors

accelerators and funding. A small green plant with two leaves grows out of a pile of assorted coins on a white surface, symbolizing financial growth and investment.

Beyond traditional funding, startups can attract capital by engaging their community and appealing to investors with a shared mission. Here are some avenues you can try:

Rewards platforms like Kickstarter allow you to pre-sell products and validate demand.
Equity platforms like Seedrs or Crowdcube let customers buy into your mission.
Community bonds and co-op models can fund local facilities or production hubs.

Actionable insights

Securing capital is about more than finding money; it’s about building the right mix of support, credibility, and community. Here are five practical, actionable insights to guide your journey:

Start with non-dilutive support

Apply for grants and loans early to reduce risk before giving away equity. Programs like GFI’s research grants are excellent entry points. Remember to keep your applications impact-driven and clearly articulate your mission. Define the problems you are solving and highlight your ‘why’.

Accelerate with mentorships and networks

Joining an incubator or accelerator provides expert guidance and vital introductions. Programs like ProVeg Incubator, Big Idea Ventures, and EIT Food Accelerator help refine business models and culminate in demo days where you can pitch to investors.

Build early investor relationships

Research venture capital firms such as CPT Capital and Blue Horizon, and tailor your approach to their portfolio interests. Other investors in the plant-based space, such as Matthew Glover at Veg Capital, can provide early backing. Reach out with a concise deck and a clear ask.

Quantify and communicate impact

Investors need evidence of both commercial and mission alignment. Include clear metrics in your pitch, such as emissions avoided, animals spared, or land saved, alongside financials like gross margins and growth strategy.

Activate your community with crowdfunding

Crowdfunding validates demand and builds loyal investors. Start with rewards campaigns on Kickstarter to generate buzz, then progress to equity platforms like Seedrs or Crowdcube to turn customers into long-term stakeholders.

For plant-based and alternative-protein entrepreneurs, support and funding opportunities are more diverse today than ever. The key is preparation: know your numbers, quantify your impact, and choose funding routes that align with your mission.

Whatever it is you are pitching, remember, they’re not just investing in your product. They’re investing in a better and more sustainable future.

For more support on your alternative protein strategy, get in touch with our experts at [email protected] and subscribe to our podcast and newsletter.