Mars names six food start-ups for SEEDS of CHANGE programme

Mars has finalised six food start-up companies, which will be part of its Inaugural SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator Programme.

The SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator programme was launched in March. Its purpose is to help early-stage food-focused companies fast-track growth and build a healthier, more sustainable future.

It will select a total of ten participants, including six from the US and four from Australia.

The six start-ups that will be part of the new company include Brooklyn Delhi, Fora, NoBull Burger, Oxtale, Prommus and True Made Foods.

Based in India, Brooklyn Delhi creates condiments and sauces for American meals.

Meanwhile, Fora makes non-dairy butter and ‘NoBull Burgers’, a line of plant-based veggie burgers.

Oxtale partners with chefs to create starter packs that help people cook traditional dishes in under 30 minutes.

Prommus produces hummus and helps to provide school meals to children across the globe.

True Made Foods offers healthier ketchup, BBQ Sauce and sriracha by replacing added sugar with real vegetables.

The six participants will join a four-month mentorship program with industry experts and will also receive grants up to $50,000.

Mars SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator lead Gary Arora said: “The world is changing at a rapid pace with consumer needs evolving and new approaches and technologies transforming business.

“The SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator acts as a catalyst to help forward-thinking innovators bring their purpose-driven food-focused visions to life. And, in turn, we will gain valuable insight to further enable the world we want tomorrow.”

The other finalists include Crafty Counter, which makes vegetable-packed foods. Renewal Mill, which focuses on creating a new circular economy of food by upcycling byproducts from food manufacturing into high-quality ingredients and products, is also in the running.

The other two companies include Splendid Spoon, which provides convenient healthy meals, as well as Wild For, a superfood company making healthy, tasty foods based on the ancient Ethiopian grain, teff.