Givaudan and Moonshot Pirates work together to shape the future of alternative protein

Givaudan, a global leader in flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions, today announced a new collaboration with Moonshot Pirates, a dynamic movement of young leaders and changemakers. The ‘Shape the Future Challenge’ is designed to inspire Gen Z consumers to imagine the alternative protein experience of the future and propose new solutions that do not mimic meat, fish or dairy but answer their needs such as affordability, nutrition and convenience.

To date, The Moonshot Pirates have received applications from around 1,000 young innovators, aged 15 to 24, from across the globe. Participants are encouraged to develop groundbreaking alternative protein concepts that are sustainable, nutritious, affordable and delicious.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with young leaders globally to drive alternative protein innovations that challenge conventional norms and deliver unforgettable, multi-sensory food experiences. We eagerly anticipate igniting fresh and creative ideas, ultimately inspiring and co-creating the next generation of delicious consumer products centred around alternative proteins with our customers.”

Flavio Garofalo, Growth Platform Director Culinary & Plant Attitude, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing

Finalists in the ‘Shape the Future Challenge’ will present their ideas in a virtual, live-streamed pitch to a jury of experts on 9 January 2025. 

The winners will enjoy an exclusive visit to MISTA, an innovation platform for the food industry based in San Francisco, which Givaudan has established along with other industry partners. More encompassing than an incubator or accelerator, MISTA is an optimiser, enabling start-ups and established corporations to optimise ideas, products, people and investments.

There, the Challenge winners will gain valuable insights into alternative protein development, and how to optimise ideas, products, people and investments.

“Over the years, we’ve witnessed how collaborating with the next generation of innovators brings in fresh ideas and unique perspectives that can truly drive change. These young, digital natives are passionate about sustainability and the future, so it’s exciting to see companies like Givaudan appreciate the value of these partnerships,” said Aneta Londa, Co-Founder of Moonshot Pirates. “We’re thrilled to partner with Givaudan to explore the future of alternative proteins and develop solutions that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable food system.”

Givaudan will support this project by providing nine expert mentors and exploring opportunities to scale up promising product innovations that emerge from the challenge. The collaboration will also harness Givaudan’s global innovation ecosystem, bringing in the Company’s experts, technologies and integrated portfolio of solutions to address the taste, sense, and nutritional challenges of alternative protein applications.

About Givaudan 
Givaudan is a global leader in Fragrance & Beauty and Taste & Wellbeing. We celebrate the beauty of human experience by creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature. Together with our customers we deliver food experiences, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions that make people look and feel good. In 2023, Givaudan employed 16,260 people worldwide and achieved CHF 6.9 billion in sales with a free cash flow of 13.3%. With a heritage that stretches back over 250 years, we are committed to driving long-term, purpose-led growth by improving people’s health and happiness and increasing our positive impact on nature. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Discover more at www.givaudan.com.

About Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing  
Powered by innovation and creativity, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing aims to shape the future of food by becoming the co-creation partner of choice to its customers. Built on its global leadership position in flavours and taste, the Company goes beyond to create food experiences that do good and feel good, for body, mind and planet. With an expanded portfolio of products across flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions and a deep knowledge of the food ecosystem, Givaudan’s passion is to collaborate with customers and partners to develop game changing innovations in food and beverage. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Learn more about how we are shaping the future of food at www.givaudan.com/taste-wellbeing.

About Moonshot Pirates
Moonshot Pirates empowers Gen Z changemakers to tackle humanity’s toughest challenges on a global scale. With a vibrant community of 12,500+ young people from 150+ countries, we’re surfacing the next generation of entrepreneurial talent to create solutions for a better future. Through our programmes, we’ve connected young innovators with over 450 expert mentors, providing hours of guidance to support their journeys. Our strategic partnerships with leading corporations and educational institutions bring invaluable resources and opportunities to these young leaders. More about Moonshot Pirates at www.moonshotpirates.com. 

For further information please contact
Kathleen Maksymec, Taste & Wellbeing Communications
E kathleen.maksymec@givaudan.com