FOODSHOT 2
PRECISION PROTEIN
GROUNDBREAKERS
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.
PRIZE WINNERS
Dr. Dil Thavarajah
GROUNDBREAKER PRIZE WINNER
$200,000 to Dr. Dil Thavarjah, Associate Professor of Pulse Quality and Nutrition and Clemson University School of Health Faculty Research Scholar at Clemson University, for her innovations in plant breeding and processing. Dil developed an integrated process for organic plant protein productions from the field to isolation. She employs high-end protein/amino acid analysis and digestibility determination tests, along with proprietary blending processes, to provide all essential amino acids/peptides that retain various food and beverage functional properties while preserving native protein structure.
DR. HANNAH VAN ZANTEN
GROUNDBREAKER PRIZE WINNER
$150,000 to Dr. Hannah Van Zanten, Associate Professor in Farming Systems Ecology at Wageningen University, for work that bridges Precision Protein and Innovating Soil, Deep Dive by innovating food system modeling to incorporate the circular economy. Hannah developed a European circular food systems model (CiFoS) which is now extending to a global model. The model selects a combination of plant-based proteins (from seaweed to grains and pulses) and animal-based proteins (produced with the biomass losses) to yield a nutrient-adequate diet, produced within the planetary boundaries.

DR. DIL THAVARAJAH

GROUNDBREAKER PRIZE WINNER
This work integrates crop breeding, ingredient processing, and end-product nutrition and sensory characteristics. This approach, combined with the focus on organic pulse crop production, has the potential to lead to more and better plant-based foods as well as human health benefits, improved soil health, and more sustainable cropping systems. The funding will be used to increase native intact plant protein isolation and apply them for a variety of food and beverage applications to improve nutritional, food functional, and sensory properties.

DR. HANNAH VAN ZANTEN

GROUNDBREAKER PRIZE WINNER
$150,000 to Dr. Hannah Van Zanten, Associate Professor in Farming Systems Ecology at Wageningen University, for work that bridges Precision Protein and Innovating Soil, Deep Dive by innovating food system modeling to incorporate the circular economy. Hannah developed a European circular food systems model (CiFoS) which is now extending to a global model. The model selects a combination of plant-based proteins (from seaweed to grains and pulses) and animal-based proteins (produced with the biomass losses) to yield a nutrient-adequate diet, produced within the planetary boundaries.
EQUITY AWARD WINNERS
Equity investment from Grantham Foundation into Novo Nutrients to transform waste carbon - primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) from untreated industrial emissions - into protein and other high value products for the aquaculture and animal feed industries.
 
Equity investment from Grantham Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, into Vence to digitize animal management for livestock farmers by solving the extremely complex problem of understanding and manipulating animal behavior utilizing technology to enhance nutrition.

NOVO
NUTRIENTS

Using energy from hydrogen, NovoNutrients transforms waste carbon - primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) from untreated industrial emissions - into protein and other high value products for the aquaculture and animal feed industries. In doing so, NovoNutrients addresses the rising costs of feed ingredients, meat, seafood, and food generally; and it fights depletion of the world's fisheries and climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions. At the technology's core are specially selected microbes that have evolved to live on CO2, hydrogen, and oxygen. Notably, the microbes have been adapted to grow directly on industrial CO2 without pre-treatment, paving the way for the technology to be rapidly scaled and deployed.

VENCE

Vence's technology enables a leap forward in the amount of precision with which livestock farmers can manage their lands (30%+ of global lands) and animals (28%+ of human protein consumption). The company is solving the many challenges livestock farmers face to effectively manage their land and animals. It has built a livestock management platform which can control (fence) and move (herd) animals across vast landscapes with a high degree of precision. This allows farmers to quickly transition their management practices to regenerative ones such as rotational grazing and adaptive management which will over time reduce the cost of grass-fed beef, support strategies to sequester soil carbons, and eliminate the carbon footprint of the animals on the land.
PRIZE FINALISTS
AMY ROWAT
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
UCLA
BIRGIT DEKKERS
CO-FOUNDER
RIVAL FOODS
MARIA LIENQUEO
PROFESSOR
UNIVERSITY OF CHILI
CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
AND BIOENGINEERING
 
EQUITY FINALISTS