Fund gets a taste for food stars of the future
BEETROOT ketchup, edible insects, seaweed, bee-to-bottle sparkling mead and snacks made from ‘beer barm’, a by-product of brewing, are among 24 enterprises identified as stars of the future by an annual competition for food and drink start-ups.
One finalist, Outdoorfood.com based in Ryall, Dorset, sells healthy dehydrated meals for outdoor adventurers. Founder John Fisher had the idea because he was sick of mountain food that was something to be endured rather than enjoyed. The meals are sold under the brand name Firepot and include porcini mushroom risotto, and dal and rice with spinach. They are cooked by adding hot water.
Meanwhile, Eat Grub in London sells edible insects, beetroot ketchup is produced by the Foraging Fox in Bishop’s Stortford, and the seaweed products are from Ebb Tides in Sidmouth, Devon.
The Seed Fund will select 12 of the 24 start-ups for its academy over the summer, where they will receive mentoring and attend workshops, with one winner receiving a prize worth £100,000. Founded in 2013 by Bristol-based design and marketing consultancy The Collaborators, The Seed Fund has recently announced a partnership with Great Taste, the blind-tasted food awards.
The prize will be awarded in September at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards Dinner. It offers a year of support, brand development and mentoring.