Start-up Spotlight: Meatable cultivated meat, Kommunity Brew hemp beverages, Pokeno NZ whiskey and more feature in our round-up

Meatable says costs cut and production improved as it aims to debut price-competitive cultivated meat in Singapore​

The Netherlands-based food tech company Meatable says it has managed to reduce costs and raise production efficiency of its cultivated meat products, which are on course to be launched in Singapore by next year.

Founded in 2018, Meatable raised US$35m in a recent funding round, bringing its total funding to US$95m, which will be used to scale up production and accelerate commercialisation.

In September, the company held its first ever media tasting in Singapore, marking a significant step towards full regulatory approval for sales in the island-state.

Hydration and hemp: Kommunity Brew sees innovation potential in Australia’s healthy beverage space​

Australia’s Kommunity Brew believes that hemp has the potential to feature more widely in its NPD and innovation strategies, amidst the addition of more local acquisitions to its healthier beverage portfolio.

Early this year, the firm entered a partnership with Australian medicinal cannabis company MediCann Health to produce hemp-infused beverages.

Beating the dram: ‘New World’ NZ whiskey brand Pokeno banks on flavour innovation to boost appeal with younger consumers overseas​

New Zealand’s Pokeno Whiskey believes that rising demand from younger consumers seeking new and unique flavours in their whiskey will help to drive its latest offering in markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

It recently launched what it believes is the world-first single malt whiskey matured in Totara barrels, with a limited release of 1,800 bottles in nine international markets, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. 

Targeting TikTokers: India’s Beyond Snack builds on strong growth with ‘exotic flavours’ aimed at young consumers​

India-based Beyond Snack recently expanded its repertoire of banana chips in the hope of attracting Millennials and Gen Zs, whom the firm believes are particularly receptive to flavour innovations.

The latest addition to Beyond Snack’s line-up​ is a crinkle-cut version of its banana chips called Banana Waves, which come in two flavours — Cheesy Jalapeno and Sriracha Delight.

According to Manas Madhu, founder of Beyond Snack, the objective of creating these “exotic flavour combinations” is to appeal to a wider audience, especially the younger generation.

Lessons learned: How can APAC cultivated meat sector avoid past alt protein ‘pitfalls’?​

The cultivated meat industry in APAC needs to focus on localisation and realistic pricing strategies to avoid repeating past alternative protein ‘pitfalls’, says pioneer Aleph Farms.

Cultivated meat is one of the most advanced alternative protein production techniques being researched in the food industry today, and is expected to take roughly another decade before really coming into its own as an alternative to meat.