1. Tell us about what you’ll be presenting at Expand North Star 2023?
We will showcase the tech behind recovering protein from waste. We will exhibit various types of proteins thus derived, a sneak-peek into the process and its application. We will showcase videos about the pilot plant that is in operation in India. In short, audience can see the tech, the product, a live stream/video of the plant, how we decarbonize one of the largest industries in the world.
2. What makes your product or service truly unique and why will investors, VCs, incubators, accelerators, and show visitors love it?
Human food consumption is increasing at an unprecedented pace which leads to a never before special need of edible proteins. Current methods are bound to fail, causing and economic imbalance, severe nutrient shortage and extreme impact to environment while trying to meet the demand.
On top of this problem, we waste more than 30% of the food produced. The same ratio holds for the number of proteins wasted from meat consumption.
We are bridging the gap, with a solution. We recover proteins from waste. There is a humongous economical value that is untapped in this waste.
Sustainability is the formidable foundation of future commerce. We have created a model around it. With an inclusion of just 1% of alternative proteins in animal feed, we are looking at a USD 500 Billion industry.
3. Are you planning to launch any products or services, demonstrate any technologies, or sign any partnerships during the show? Please provide details to help us amplify your presence.
We plan to launch the DE-Carbon® Protein for the global animal feed industry. A special protein developed from alternative sources which has already passed multiple formulation requirements. This will substantially reduce the carbon footprint of many industries including Feeds and Meat industry
4. Which sectors will grow significantly in the startup ecosystem in 2024 and why are investors looking at these sectors?
Any sector that involves social inclusion, resources management and data privacy is bound to have a glorious future. For instance, peer to peer lending startup for amounts less than a few dollars, an alternative raw material to an otherwise resource depleting industry, or a data privacy startup.
5. Why is India such an attractive market for the start-up ecosystem and what is the country’s unique appeal for would-be international investors?
India is anticipated to ascend to the position of the world's third-largest economy by 2027, boasting a GDP exceeding $5 trillion. Together with that, India also boasts a startup ecosystem with more than 50,000 ventures, ranking it as the third-largest in the world. It consistently draws in billions of dollars in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) annually. Startups in various industries including sustainability, finance, ed-tech, etc. are flourishing nationwide.
There is a rising consumerism across various sectors. The majority of the population is young with a medium age of around 29. There is the transition of millions from low-income to middle-income households and their improved consumption patterns. The projected number of middle-income people is 700 million by 2030, thus giving rise to purchasing power and demand for quality products and services in every industry.
According to me, India's advancement opens up a multitude of prospects for international investors and enterprises eager to participate in a thriving narrative of growth. In a global landscape where economic influences are undergoing shifts, India's influence is set to rise markedly.
6. How important is the Middle East and Africa for your business, and what is your growth strategy in the region for the coming years?
Middle East and Africa forms an attractive market for our growth strategy. We are in the market research phase to launch our products in this market. We are keen to implement structural solutions that not only manage costs but also choose to grow in a way that builds resilience and drive long-term value creation.
We definitely want to be part of the growing landscape of MENA region. For this we have devised a comprehensive growth agenda to build capabilities in our core business that can give us a commendable market share here.
For instance, our study reveals that the demand of alternative proteins that can minimize the carbon footprint to animal feed industries while reducing the import dependency and cost reduction is rising at more than 30% YOY and will continue for a decade or more. This will give us a head start and we are coordinating closely with such organizations. Our participation in this event is also a testimony to the growing importance that we place in this region.
7. In which ways can AI help startups reach new levels of efficiency and excellence and how is the world’s next big tech shift supporting the growth of companies in your industry?
No new industry can succeed without integrating AI into their core strategy. For instance, we are research-oriented company working to develop new range of alternative proteins that are derived from waste. The core technology includes thermos-mechanical, biotech and to an extend life sciences field. However, the last mile advantage that help us win in the market comes from the effective use of AI in our business processes with wide applications in Feed Formulation, real-time quality control, route learning algorithms and even protein synthesis methods. I think, any firm can grow without adopting AI too, however, the growth will seldom be scalable or even replicable anymore without AI systems embedded in the core operations. Apart from the hype surrounding it, it’s one thing that our company is willing to adopt without giving a second thought.
8. How do you see the regulations for fast-growing digital sectors such as finance/banking and Web 3.0 services, and how do you believe start-ups should prepare for it?
I believe that Web 3.0 is poised to exert a substantial influence on the financial services domain. Nevertheless, challenges, such as regulatory ambiguity, technical intricacy, and the necessity for industry-wide cooperation and standardization, will necessitate attention.
For instance, DeFi, driven by blockchain and smart contracts, is cutting out intermediaries for faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions. This tech can be broadening access, especially for underserved communities.
This is a huge benefit for start-ups, however, are the legacy systems of banks ready to embrace decentralization, blockchain, and smart contracts especially for cross border transactions. I think the startups should not shy away from collaborating with government agencies and find the synergies and opportunities for revenue generation as well as gain the market share.
9. Anything else you’d like to add?
We are attempting to change the ecosystem of animal feed industry and make it more sustainable than eve. We are here to change mindsets of major stakeholders including VCs, CEOs, founders, giant tech companies and more by showing them the power a recycled product can have. With our home-grown technologies our fight against burdening landfills have already begun.
Till now, no one was paying attention to the financial gains a sustainable initiative can have and we are here to change that perception. The idea is simple, the value of your final output will be way higher than the investment (raw materials) if you repurpose or recycle waste. We like to iterate and showcase the humongous value hidden in what we waste daily, and we are building a business around it.
Website: www.novalfeeds.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/noval-feeds/
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