FOODSHOT #3
BIOACTIVE FOODS
THIS FOODSHOT SEEKS TO INVEST IN AND CATALYZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AND ACCESS TO NUTRIENT-DENSE AND
OPTIMIZED BIOACTIVE FOODS SUPPORTING BRAIN, IMMUNE SYSTEM, CARDIOVASCULAR, METABOLIC, AND GUT HEALTH;
WHILE ALSO TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PRODUCTION PRACTICES TO PROTECT HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH.
WHY BIOACTIVE FOODS
BIOACTIVE FOOD TAKES AN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS APPROACH TO FOOD AND NUTRITION THAT CONSIDERS THE COMBINATION
OF MACRONUTRIENTS, MICRONUTRIENTS AND PHYTONUTRIENTS, AS WELL AS ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS AND FIBER IN OUR
DIETS.
The framework also highlights how the ways in which we grow and process food impact human health. BioActive
Food should be grown not only to increase nutrient density but to reduce exposure to pollutants and toxins,
protect air and water quality, and further enhance biodiversity. Processing should leverage the full
complement
of traditional techniques and innovative technologies, always in service of nutrition, sustainability, and
accessibility.
PRECISION PROTEIN SYSTEM
The democratization of nutrition is the next frontier of food. Protein — which is necessary
for all key human biological functions, including the musculo-skeletal system, the
circulatory system, the pituitary system, and our overall health — will play a critical
role in this evolution. The Precision Protein FoodShot looks at proteins, peptides, and
amino acids systemically and with heightened rigor in order to in order to build a protein
system that is more precisely attuned to human and planetary health, better aligns global
and regional supply and demand, increases accessibility, and decreases waste and
environmental damage. In this framework, a Precision Protein System activates science,
technology, investment and innovation to deliver the maximum benefits to humans and the
planet.
BIOACTIVE FOODS
SOLUTIONS
FOODSHOT GLOBAL WINNERS WILL LEVERAGE ADVANCES IN SCIENCE FOR HUMAN HEALTH, SYSTEMS HEALTH, AND
AGRICULTURAL HEALTH
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SOLUTIONS HUMAN HEALTH
- Unlocking the "black box" of the human gut microbiome to better understand the relationship
between food and health, including the function of pre-biotics and pro-biotics and the
connection between the soil/plant/human microbiomes.
- Understanding the metabolism of nutrients at a cellular/molecular level and modes of action
that increase digestibility and improve overall health, including the functionality of
enzymes, peptides, phytonutrients, etc.
- Designing delicious, healthy, convenient, and affordable ready meals, meal kits and
take-away services that are rich in nutrients, as well as developing communication and
behavior change technologies that incentivize healthier eating.
- Research to understand in vitro and human tissue models that support the identification of
prevention strategies, such as lifestyle and dietary interventions, for optimal intestinal
function, microbiome, and intestinal immunity.
- Tools that leverage lifestyle and human behavior to increase knowledge in support of
preventive interventions aimed at reducing health inequalities and the burden of disease.
- Using food to mitigate the impacts of harmful environmental exposure (heavy metals, etc.)
and focusing on improved nutrition in children to ensure long-term health benefits.
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SOLUTIONS SYSTEMS HEALTH
- New modes of food extraction, transformation/processing, and preservation that retain or
improve nutrient content throughout the food supply chain, including fermentation, freezing,
high pressure processing, drying, etc.
- Business models and policies that improve access to and affordability of healthy foods to
improve nutrition security around the world.
- Improved communication strategies that convey the science-based benefits of diverse foods
and reduce regulatory barriers.
- Understanding and appreciation for traditional and native foodways that increase
agricultural biodiversity and economic prosperity; creating markets for new or previously
non-commercialized crops.
- Shifting incentive systems so that farmers are rewarded not just for quantity (yield), but
quality (more nutrient dense, better land stewardship, etc.)
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SOLUTIONS AGRICULTURAL HEALTH
- Technologies and strategies in plant and animal breeding and agricultural practices that
improve nutrient bioavailability and digestibility while driving sustainable practices.
- Resilient and biodiverse agricultural supply chains that optimize overall nutrient density,
reduce exposure to pollutants/toxins, and amplify beneficial compounds in foods.
- Exploration of the health impacts and nutritional benefits of food sources like algae,
fungi, insects, etc.
- Building organic matter in soil to ensure that land-based agriculture can support healthy
nutrient cycles (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous); developing related enabling
technologies (mechanical weeding to enable no-till, cover crop application systems, etc.)
- Development of controlled environment platforms that could generate crops rich in
phytonutrients and other efficacious nutrients for human health.
- Understanding of how farming practices (organic, regenerative, conventional, etc.) impact
nutrient density of food, including cheap, quick and accurate measurement technologies to
track nutrient content/bioavailability.
- Analysis and development of agricultural waste streams for sourcing peptides for food and
nutritional applications.
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SOLUTIONS KEY TECHNOLOGIES
- Biotechnology (Agriculture): Use of various biotech platforms (CrispR) to improve overall
nutritional profiles in staple crops, oils, and horticulture; as well as to reduce the need
for fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants.
- Biotechnology (BioActive Molecules): Development of peptides and enyzmes, as well as
synthesizing efficacious compounds via fermentation and other bio-reactor based
technologies.
- Machine Learning: Applications in seed breeding, peptide and enzyme analysis, microbiome
functionality, and other areas.
- Human Feedback Systems: Giving consumers/patients an understanding of the food/health nexus
using next-gen diagnostics and real-time monitoring technologies.
- Conscious Consumer Choices: Technologies and strategies that can shift consumer preference
or empower consumers to make healthier choices through compelling communication of health
and sustainability benefits.
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GOALS
ALIGNMENT WITH UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Goal #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable
agriculture
Goal #3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal #6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal #12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal #13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Goal #14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development
Goal #15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity
loss
PROCESS
FOODSHOT GLOBAL WILL EVALUATE AND ADVANCE EQUITY APPLICATIONS ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO ALIGN COMPANIES
SEEKING CAPITAL WITH OUR VENTURE PARTNERS.
01
We invite entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates to submit their business, research, or policy
proposals
for funding consideration.
02
Submissions will be reviewed by food and agricultural systems experts who will provide
issue-specific
insights and vet applications for boldness, viability, and global impact.
03
Best-in-class candidates will be selected to receive equity and debt financing for their businesses.
04
A cash prize will be awarded to GroundBreakers — rising stars working in research,
early stage entrepreneurship, or advocacy.
