Below is our recent interview with Nick Hazell, CEO and Founder of v2food:
Q: This is the first time we have spoken. Can you provide a brief overview of v2food?
A: v2food is an innovative Australian company committed to making delicious food that is good for you and good for the planet. Recognising that there is a need for version 2 of the food system, we are developing a range of plant-based meat products that taste great for all consumers. Working with powerful collaborations within the food industry, we will aim to play an important part in changing the way we feed the growing global population sustainably.
Our mince and burgers were recently rolled out nationwide in over 800 Coles Supermarkets. Following on from our rollout in Woolworths in September, this means that v2food is truly available to every Australian..
Recommended: Shotcall Provides A Platform And Marketplace For Fans To Play Games With Their Favorite People
Q: Can you give us more insights into legume-based meat alternatives?
A: The main ingredients in our mince and burgers include protein from legumes, vegetable oils like coconut and canola oil, and flavour that is the same as the flavours found in animal meat. v2 mimics the great qualities of meat — namely its great taste and high protein, iron, and B vitamin content — with zero cholesterol and adding in the goodness of dietary fibre.
We want to make it as easy as possible for families to use plant-based meat in their regular home cooking. Because v2food looks, cooks, and tastes just like real meat, we know that families will love eating it while the price makes it accessible.
Q: Who would be your ideal customer and why?
A: v2 plant-based meat is for anyone that loves the taste of meat but wants to minimise the environmental impact of the meat they consume.
It’s imperative that plant-based meat isn’t just aimed at vegans, otherwise, we will never see the kind of behaviour change required to make a difference to our planet. But our goal is not to end all meat consumption at the dinner table — But recognise we do need to reduce.
Q: You’ve recently raised $77,000,000 in Series B funding; can you tell us something more?
A: The global food dilemma is mission-critical. It’s imperative that we continue to scale quickly. This funding is a pivotal step towards our goal of transforming the way the world produces food.
The funding, bringing our total funds raised to $113 million, will enable us to complete the production of our facility in Wodonga, grow the team, and expand our R&D.
As we enter our next phase of growth, we are grateful to have the support of world-renowned investors who share our urgent mission of solving the global food challenge. v2food has had a global view since our founding, and this investment will help us establish our business in Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Recommended: Q: What are your plans and goals for the future?
A: In 2021, a key goal will be developing our Australian-made supply chain. We will shortly be able to unveil our new $20 million factory in Wodonga that will help super-charge our production. We want to be made in Australia and export around the world as a great national manufacturing story.
As part of our plans for expansion, we are currently exploring distribution and retail partnerships with supermarkets and quick service retail outlets across Asia. Consumers can expect to see us in the Philippines and Japan very soon. But our priority is to establish the brand in Australia.
But very quickly, and we’re talking months, we will be looking to export to our Asia-Pacific neighbours. That’s where the growth in meat consumption is happening at the moment and we want to be part of that export story.
Last Updated on December 27, 2020
