Wessanen and Impact Hub Amsterdam announce the participants of the 'Organic Food Against Climate Change' challenge. Eleven food start-ups will follow an intensive, two-month program. During this program, they will learn how to accelerate and grow their business. The winner of the program will be announced at the end of June and will be rewarded with € 10,000 and additional management guidance. Finally, this company gets access to Wessanen's extensive network.

During 3 training days and 4 master classes the entrepreneurs will be challenged to take action and inspire each other. "There are many entrepreneurs with fantastic ideas who strive to improve the world of food. We want to share our knowledge and help them to grow their business." Klaus Arntz adds.

The scouting and pre-selection phase started in February. Wessanen and Impact Hub were looking for small food companies that already have a proof of concept and the need to grow and scale up. Furthermore, participants were required to engage in one of the following matters:

• replaces conventional with organic food
• replaces animal protein with plant based alternatives    
• reduces food waste
• increases awareness of and knowledge about sustainable food

These are the eleven Dutch food innovators who are going to work out in the next few months in the "Organic Food Against Climate Change" challenge:

• Charly's All is Fair - Offers alternatives to cheese that are better for health and the earth. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans and people who eat gluten, lactose, sugar and soy free
• Bieterballen Sell the vegetarian variant of bitterbal. The Beetroot is made from beets and other local and pure ingredients
• Taste Before You Waste Organizes events to make people aware of food waste
• BioBites Offers vegan crackers and biscuits free of gluten, lactose and yeast
• Kändi Makes premium and vegan candy made from plant based ingredients
• Bricks of Raw Chocolate Sells 100% organic chocolate in the form of miniature bricks
• Cultiva Produces leaves and herbs free from pesticides and grown indoors
• Botanic Bites Develops sustainable food products with local ingredients and preferably residual streams of other products
• De Pindakaaswinkel Produces handmade peanut butter with 100% natural ingredients
• BioBite Makes energy cookies of nutritious cereals, nuts, seeds and fruit
• The African Power Bar Sells affordable, healthy and nutritious energy bars

Meet the 2017 cohort and find out more here: http://www.wessanen.com/en/newsroom/organic-food-against-climate-change/ and http://amsterdam.impacthub.net/program/organic-food-against-climate-change/

On Social Media: #OFACC2017

Contact:

corporate.communications@wessanen.com

Company profiles:

Wessanen

At Wessanen, we focus on food that is good for people and for the planet. In most cases, foods which benefit our own health are also better for the planet, and vice versa. We have therefore defined our mission as 'Healthier food, healthier people, healthier planet'. We focus on our core categories dairy alternatives, sweet in betweens, bread and biscuit replacers, veggie meals, breakfast cereals and hot drinks.

Many of our brands are successful leaders of their respective markets. They all have strong local roots and are among the pioneers of the organic market in their country.

Brands like Bjorg, Allos, Kallo, Bonneterre, Isola Bio, Gayelord Hauser, Alter Eco, Zonnatura, Tartex, Clipper, Whole Earth, Mrs. Crimble's, Destination and El Granero are part of our family.

Further information at www.wessanen.com  

Impact Hub

Impact Hub Amsterdam is part of the global Impact Hub community of social innovators with 15000+ members in 80+ locations. Since it was founded in 2008, Impact Hub Amsterdam has inspired, empowered and connected thousands of professionals to grow their impact. We do this through building and facilitating a strong network, organizing events, offering co-working space and a series of accelerator programs. The Impact Hub Amsterdam network consists of over 700 impact makers, innovators and investors. Yearly we welcome 10,000 visitors, organise more than 250 impact events, and accelerate over 150 entrepreneurs through our programs. See more at: amsterdam.impacthub.net

Triodos Bank

Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a reference point for sustainable banking globally. Triodos Bank is an independent bank that promotes sustainable and transparent banking. It does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term. Triodos Bank has branches in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain, Germany and an agency in France. It is a global authority in the field of microfinance in developing countries, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, a network of 36 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact substantially. Triodos Bank N.V. has a full banking licence and is registered with The Nederlandsche Bank N.V. (the Dutch central bank) and The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Most recent company information is available on Triodos Bank's website: www.triodos.com

Wessanen

Wessanen

Royal Wessanen nv is a multinational food company with a focus on organic, founded and headquartered in the Netherlands. It has operations in Europe and North America.

More from Wessanen