‘Pitch2Fork’: Startups from Pakistan, India & BD showcase their initiatives

LAHORE: Entrepreneurs across Pakistan, India and Bangladesh recently presented their initiatives to a panel of investors at the “Pitch2Fork” programme arranged by the US Soyabean Export Council (USSEC), focusing on protein industry innovations.

The event was arranged under the “Right to Protein” initiative by USSEC where Gladful, Hello Tempayy, Poultra and WeGro presented their start-ups, the USSEC announced.

While South Asia ranks as the fastest-growing region globally, it is challenged to meet the rapidly growing protein demand. Reflecting on the potential impact of Pitch2Fork, Kevin Roepke, Regional Director of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA), USSEC, commented, “Pitch2Fork is strategically positioned to facilitate the networking needed between startups and investors, accelerating innovation. By embracing disruption, proactively investing in the future, and addressing protein challenges, we create a path towards a more nutrition-secure tomorrow.”

Providing insight on their experience as a nominee in Pitch2Fork from Pakistan’s poultry segment, Khushbakht Ashraf, GM of Global Sales and Marketing, at Poulta added that “Presenting Poulta’s innovative solutions for traceability, vertical integration, and data-driven decision-making in front of such a great audience was an immensely valuable experience. We are committed to farm-to-fork traceability while maximizing the production of protein and this perfectly resonates with USSEC and its mission.”

Hello Tempayy, an innovative Indian start-up reshaping tempeh production was awarded the Pitch2Fork 2024 trophy for ‘Protein Start-up of the Year.’ With their user-friendly and flavourful offerings, Hello Tempayy is expanding the array of soya-based protein options available to consumers in India. On seeing the value of winning the title, Hello Tempayy’s Cofounder and Nutritionist, Malavika Siddharth, from India added, “As a nutritionist, I witness the effects of protein deficiencies on an individual’s health regularly. That’s why we founded Hello Tempayy – to bridge this gap. Platforms like Pitch2fork present an invaluable opportunity to amplify our mission to raise awareness and offer nutritious and delicious high-quality protein options.”

Attendees were inspired by the triumph of Agroshift, an agritech startup from Bangladesh and the Winner of Pitch2Fork 2022. Agroshift operates as an omnichannel agri-supply chain platform that helps farmers sell their goods to businesses and consumers enabling fair pricing and better market access with increased affordability, quality, and convenience to buyers through its micro-fulfilment distribution network.

Speakers included Janna Fritz, Vice Chair, USSEC; Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO at Agritecture; Roma Roy Choudhury, Founder & COO at Evolved Foods; Deeba Giannoulis, Regional Head of US Soya Sustainability and Marketing at USSEC-SAASSA; and Roberto Vitón, Founder and Managing Director from Valoral Advisors.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024