Alternative Protein Entrepreneurs/founders

**Calling Entrepreneurs to Start Your Own Venture in the Alternative Protein Sector** Lever Growth Fund is here to back exceptional entrepreneurs to kick off your new venture in the alternative protein sector **About the Industry** The Alternative Protein Industry - A Great Field for Entrepreneurship With the growth of population and the improvement of economic level, the public pays more and more attention to food safety, food health and sustainable development, and the demand for diversified and sustainable protein sources in the market is growing rapidly. Plant-based protein, cell cultured and fermented proteins provide a diverse, healthy and sustainable source of protein. The world's leading investment bank predicts that the alternative protein will develop into a 140 billion USD industry within a decade. **About Us** Lever Growth Fund invests in entrepreneurs who are committed to change the present food ecosystem in the APAC. We back early-stage startups in the field of plant-based meat (beef, chicken, pork, seafood, etc.), eggs and dairy products (yogurt, cheese, milk, and other dairy products), as well as animal protein production through cell culture, fermentation, modified crops, and the development of related products and technology. Our standard investment size is 100,000 to 200,000 USD and the invested companies also have the opportunity to obtain follow-up funds of up to 5 million USD from Lever VC. Lever Growth Fund has more than 15 years of comprehensive investment experience in the alternative protein field, and has invested in more than 80 start-up companies in the alternative protein field, including Beyond Meat and Upside Foods. Since 2020, we have invested in 14 cutting-edge alternative protein start-ups in Greater China Region, including Avant Meats, the first cell-cultured seafood company in China; CellX, a cellular agriculture and biotechnology company; Haofood, the first company producing clean-label plant-based chicken, etc. In Southeast Asia, we have invested in 4 companies including plant-based beverage company MAD in Singapore and plant-based meat company Meatless Kingdom in Indonesia. In addition to providing your earliest stage of start-up kick-off capital of up to 200,000 USD, we leverage our 15 years of investment experience in the sector as well as our extensive network in the food and investment communities to accelerate exceptional entrepreneurs' activation: - Technical Support: Connection with plant-based meat and dairy formula experts who have helped Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, Ripple, and other world-leading plant-based meat brands develop products, and gain access to cutting-edge technologies in the global alternative protein field - Business Strategy Guidance: Strategic guidance as well as GTM strategy - Financing assistance: Connection to global investment companies interested in the alternative protein start-ups, and obtain downstream fundraising capital - Channel Development: Networking and taste events tailored towards Head of Purchase from renowned restaurant chains, retailers and FMCG companies for product conversions into sales **Opportunities and Responsibilities** - Create and operate your own alternative protein start-ups (such as plant-based protein or cell cultured/ fermented protein) with Lever Growth Fund providing up to 200,000 USD capital. Through this process, the to-be-founder is expected to research and validate initial venture ideas, crystallise your business plan, product roadmap and GTM (go-to-market) plan - Recruit, lead and motivate employees to achieve the new venture's goals - Execute on day-to-day business development and operations goals as the founder of the company - Under the full support from Lever China, strategise, and acquire downstream capital - Make a positive impact on society and the environment while being profitable, and contribute to a sustainable food system **Qualifications** - Strong interest in emerging trends and technologies in the alternative protein field (plant proteins and cell culture, fermented proteins) - Proven entrepreneurship, professional business skills, organisational and leadership skills (such as senior practitioners from the food industry, serial entrepreneurs) - Excellent communication, lobbying skills and excellent interpersonal skills - Passion for engaging in ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) causes that have a positive impact on the environment and society - Strong work ethic and personal integrity - Business mindset capable of taking ideas from "zero to one" to "one to N"