PLANT CEO

In this important episode, we interview Sam Tucker, Executive Director at Open Paws, an open-source non-profit AI organization. Sam explains how current AI systems exhibit bias towards factory farming and discrimination against non-human species, effectively promoting "speciesism". To counter this, Open Paws collaborates with the AI industry to remove such bias and works with animal welf...

Returning guest Matthew Glover - Chief Mission Officer at The Vegan Food Group announces his latest acquisition and lays out future plans for the company. The group comprises several plant-based food companies, including VFC® (Vegan Fried Chick*n), Meatless Farm and Clive's Purely Plants. As the plant-based food segment has seen recent declines in sales, we reflect on potential reasons and dis...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Louis Psihoyos, the documentary filmmaker behind projects like "The Game Changers," returning to discuss his latest hit Netflix documentary series "You Are What You Eat." The film follows an experiment with 21 sets of identical twins, where one twin from each pair adopts a whole food, plant-based diet and the other sticks to a standa...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Andy Shovel, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of THIS, a trailblazing plant-based UK company at the forefront of redefining the future of food. Join us as we embark on a journey through Andy's entrepreneurial path, exploring the inception of THIS, the challenges faced, and the pivotal moments that have shaped the company's trajectory. Andy unveils a snea...

Dive into the fascinating world of food technology with our latest episode as we sit down with Chris Bryson, the visionary Founder and CEO of New School Foods. In this insightful conversation, Chris shares the incredible journey of recreating sustainable, plant-based salmon that mirrors the taste, texture, and flakiness of the real deal. Discover the ingenious approach taken by New School Foods, d...

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Jack Jagodka, an accomplished Vegan Stuntman and Actor with an impressive portfolio including roles in renowned productions such as Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny, Star Wars – Rogue One, Eternals, Wonder Woman, Fast X, The Legend of Tarzan, and Game of Thrones. Jack takes us on a journey through his personal evolution in dietary choices, sharing the pi...

In this episode we talk to Seth Tibbott Founder, The Tofurky Company. Seth has an amazing story to tell of how he created his family run business 42 years ago when nobody knew what tempeh or even veganism was. He found success with his hero product, the Tofurky holiday roast -  the tasty alternative to the Thanksgiving/Christmas Turkey Roast. The company then went on to create multiple produc...

In this episode we talk to Bernat Ananos Martinez, Chief Social Movement Officer & Co-Founder, Heura Foods.  Rooted from the social justice movement and animal activism, hear the start-up story of how Heura Foods has become a leader of plant based food in 22 countries across Europe. With their large range of products from plant based chicken/beef/pork to the recently launched plant based...

In this episode we talk to Bjoern Witte, CEO of Blue Horizon and Malte Clausen, Partner and Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group.  Together both companies launched a report called “The Untapped Climate Opportunity in Alternative Proteins”.  We dive into the report to focus on the main highlights. Alternative proteins have the potential to eliminate up to 6.1 Gigatons of emission...

In this episode we talk to Kate Strong about her life as a vegan triathlete. How she then went on to be a 3x world record holder in cycling when she rode a static bike made out of bamboo for 24 hours. Her next challenge is a tour around the circumference of wales, an impressive 1,000k in 7 days in order to raise money for a mental health charity. We discuss why she is stepping away from records &a...

In this episode we talk to Samuel Dennigan CEO and CCO of Strong Roots. Sam is on a mission to feed people more sustainability by using plant crops that can help. Freezing veg as soon as it is picked locks in the nutrients and helps towards reducing food waste. With his product range widely available in supermarkets in the UK, US, Netherlands, Australia, France, Iceland, UAE, Hong Kong and Singapo...

In this episode we talk to T.K. Pillan Chairman and Founder of Veggie Grill. Veggie Grill is the largest fast casual plant based restaurant chain with 33 locations across the US. They have launched two new concepts which they are planning to role out further this year. The first is 'Stand Up Burger' a traditional burger and shake restaurant and 'Más Veggies Vegan Taqueria' a Mexican delivery and p...

In this episode we talk to Deborah Meaden, Investor and Entrepreneur. Deborah talks about her journey going plant based, why she did it and the effect it has had on her health. She also sets out how she approaches the topic with her fellow dragons and friends about it. We discuss what she thinks of plant based companies and what she considers to be gaps in the market. Making ethical investment dec...

In this episode we talk to Anthony Chow Co-Founder of Agronomics. Agronomics invests in cultivated meat companies in order to disrupt the animal farming industry due to its impact to the environment and animal welfare. Following on from the chat with Jim Mellon, Executive Director of Agronomics we get key insights and updates from Anthony.  We discuss what they look for when deciding which cu...

In this episode we talk to Rik Roberts General Manager of Crackd. The global market for egg replacement products is starting to shape up.  The Crackd product is a liquid egg replacement that can be used in cooking to make scrabbled eggs, omelettes, pancakes and cakes for example. The existing competition in this space comes from powered egg replacement companies so this start up is paving its...

In this episode we talk to John Rushton and Abdul Sharief Co-Founders of Vegums. The pair came together whilst working at the same hospital in Burnley, England. They wanted to follow their same vegan ethics and decided to create a supplements company with John's children's health in mind.  Their first product was a multivitamin in the shape of a gummy bear and it's now not just for kids. In t...

In this episode we talk to a returning guest Josh Tetrick CEO & Co-Founder of Eat Just.  We pick up on some of the points from our first interview with Josh back in the summer of this year. We get to speak about the current climate for IPO's -  is it the right time for plant based and cultivated meat companies to get listed. We discuss how some companies are trendsetters, taking the...

In this episode we talk to Eric Jentusky, CEO & Co-Founder of Matrix Meats. This Ohio based  start-up has created a way to help cultivated meat companies bring structure to their products.  Using nanofibers the company is responsible for helping bring lab-grown meat closer in texture and mouthfeel to the “real” thing. Matrix Meats’ creation supports the production of clean, healthy,...

In this episode we talk to Michael Haase, CEO & Founder of Plant Jammer. This Danish start-up created a B2C app to help consumer reduce food waste, by letting them enter ingredients that they needed to use up in their fridge. The Plant Jammer AI would then come up with best matching recipes. The company has now pivoted to B2B to help grocery retailers and CPG brands understand the cooking habi...

In this PLANT CEO special we discuss the climate impact due to the meat industry in Africa. By 2050 it is predicated that the population will have doubled to 2.5bn people.  Today the meat is being imported is of very low quality and expensive.  This makes it an aspirational product for most. The demand for meat is resulting in a rise in health related diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, Hyper...

In this episode we talk to Dr Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar, co-founders of omni.  Omni is a pet food company with a mission to use science to get dogs to live healthier,  longer and happier lives. Founded by a Vet and an Investment Banker they have come together to create a plant based kibble for dogs. With partnerships already in place with Medivet and Village Vet in the UK they w...

Shannon Falconer CEO and Co-Founder of 'Because Animals' talks about the future of Pet Foods.  Starting with explaining what the problem is with the Pet Food industry today. How the vast majority of pet food is made of what is known as 'Fallen Animals' and as she refers to as the 4 D Meat; Dead, Diseased, Dying and Disabled. These animals never make it to slaughter as they die during transit...

Kory Kelickson, CEO and Founder of Vejii talks about his marketplace for plant based foods and sustainable products.  Kory is in the mist of planning to take his company public on the Canadian stock market.  With huge YoY growth in the plant-based foods hear his insight into what the latest category trends are. Learn what inspired him to create this business and where he wants to take it...

It was great to have Jim Mellon, Chairman of Burnbrae Group come on PLANT CEO to speak about the future of food.  Jim spent most of his career in investment management and biotech.  We get to speak about his new book 'Moo's Law: An Investor's Guide to the New Agrarian Revolution', Agronomics: his company that invests into cell-based meat companies, TESLA, AI and bots, electric cars, ESG...

In this PLANT CEO episode we speak with Hailey Swartz and Jason Rosenbaum Co-Founders and Co-CEO’s of Actual Veggies. Together they have created a company whose first product range is burgers that are made from natural plant-based ingredients.  Jason turned vegan and noticed a gap in the market as grocery aisles were full of imitation meats and veggie burgers that were either highly processed...