2020 RECAP: Innovation Despite Challenges...
There is no doubt that the plant-based movement has gained traction post the Covid-19 outbreak. Consumers have become more aware of the food production system and its risks. People have also started looking at plant-based foods as regenerative or “healing” for both the body and mind. 

In this report, we are proud to showcase a glimpse of this growth by highlighting promising ecosystem enablers, influencers and early-movers who are ready to change the narrative. We highlight notable homegrown and 100% vegan companies, which have expanded nationally and internationally; as well as legacy brands that have begun to offer vegan alternatives.

THE GLOBAL DIGEST 2020

A few notable highlights...

• Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces $100 Million Investment in Plant-Based Industry READ
• Vegan Actor Joaquin Phoenix Condemns Dairy Industry In Powerful Oscars Speech READ
• Zhuhai: The Second City in China To Ban Dog, Cat and Wildlife Consumption READ
• Hong Kong's Green Monday Receives Rs. 513 Crore In One of Asia's Largest Funding Round READ
• One-Third Of Israel's Population Watch First Pro-Vegan TV Ad READ
• Egypt Bans Animal Rides At Giza Pyramids READ
• McDonald’s Announces The Launch of Vegan Burger ‘McPlant’ In The U.S. READ
• "Almond Milk" Outlawed But “Veggie Burger” Still Lawful, Votes European Parliament READ
• Remilk: Dairy Alternative Made With Microbe Fermentation By Israeli Startup READ
• Pizza Hut Launches Vegan Beyond Meat Sausage Toppings In US And UK READ
• Singapore Becomes The First Country to Issue Approval For The Sale of Cultured Meat: Is Cell-Based Meat Vegan? READ

India steps into the future...

CONSCIOUS VOICES

INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT: Award-Winning Tennis Player Vishwajeet Single Shares Secrets About His Plant-Based Diet READ

MASTERCHEFS: Khaana Khazana Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor Introduces Vegan Cooking Series With SHARAN READ

COHORTS AND EVENTS

1. 5 Indian Entrepreneurs Disrupting The Plant Based Ecosystem - Humane Society International Cohort READ
2. FIAPO Launches Plant Factor-Meat Alternative Innovation Challenge, Offers Grants To Winners READ
3. ProVeg International Incubator Selects Indian Mock Meat And Mock Seafood Startup Mister Veg READ
4. India Gets An Exclusive Smart Protein Accelerator Fund At The Smart Protein Summit 2020  READ
5. Online Global Vegan Expo Launches in India READ

NOTEWORTHY INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Alt Protein Start-Ups

Despite challenges and hardships across supply chains, 2020 has shown stellar growth in the demand for meat and dairy analogues. This has not stopped companies from innovations and bold launches. We are highlighting some promising early-movers who are ready to change the narrative for animal-based proteins.

1. Indian Plant-Based Egg Company EVO Foods Gets Angel Investment READ
2. Blue Tribe Launches Plant-Based Meat In India READ
3. IIT Delhi Students Develop Vegan Egg, Mockmeat To Follow READ
4. Bollywood Couple Genelia & Riteish Deshmukh Launch Imagine Meats READ
5. Greenest: Plant Based Shammi Kebabs And Keema Launch In Delhi READ

Vegan Inclusive

2020 saw numerous legacy brands across Industries introducing vegan alternatives. The advent of such innovations with a strong culture fit seems promising and we look forward to many more vegan-friendly companies in 2021.

1. Baskin Robbins Launches Two Vegan Flavours of The Month READ
2. Famous Mithai Brand Chitale Bandhu Eyes Vegan Market READ
3. Karachiwala Bakery Marks ‘Vegan’ On Their Accidentally Vegan Products READ
4. Nature’s Basket Creates Vegan Section On Their Online Store READ
5. Love Beauty and Planet: A 100% Vegan Personal Care Range Launched by Unilever India READ
6. Epigamia Introduces Dairy-Free Yoghurt READ
7. Vegan Footwear Launched by Adidas India READ
8. Dominos Introduces Plant-Protein Pizza, Keen On Vegan Cheeses READ
9. Urban Platter Introduces Oat Milk to India READ

Glocal Expansions

100% Homegrown Vegan Companies which have expanded nationally and internationally. Albeit early movers, each one has had a humble beginning and have made the headlines. Product innovation, strategic growth, customer satisfaction or brand evangelism; they have excelled in 2020.

1. GoodDot Mock Meats Increase Their Global Footprint - Launches in Dubai, Nepal, South Africa and Canada READ
2. Goodmylk Peanut Curd Expands Nationwide - Launches in Mumbai READ
3. India’s 100% Vegan Ice Cream Brand White Cub Expands to Coimbatore
4. Post Expansion in USA, Unived Launches Women Specific Line of Supplements In India READ
5. Artisanal Vegan Ice Cream Brand Nomou Expands Pan India READ
6. Katharos Cheeze Launches Pan India Via Amazon Fresh READ
7. Wild Earth - Vegan Pet Food From Shark Tank Fame Debuts In India READ

HoReCa & Retail Stores

Even though 2020 hasn't been the best year for hotels, restaurants and cloud kitchens, some businesses have embraced the challenge, innovated and strived through.

1. Unbuntu Community - 100% Vegan Cafe in Kolkata Introduces Mock Fish Fry READ
2. Vegan Store Rare Earth Set To Launch New Café In Thane READ
3. Hyderabad Launches New 100% Vegan Cafe Post-Lockdown READ
4. 100% Vegan Store Earth Story Launches Second Branch in Chennai READ
5. SHARAN Launches Second Organic Store in Mumbai During Diwali READ
6. India's First Zero Waste and Organic Store Adrish Expands To Four Cities

Biomaterial Innovation

The demand for carbon neutral and innovative materials is gradually being slow-cooked to perfection. Co-existence with nature is the echo of this fast growing niche. 2021 will see a lot more material innovations in India.

1. Bleü Introduces Clean And Sustainable Vegan Condoms Made in India READ
2. Ghatkopar Vegan Silk Sarees Win Best Vegan Saree in PETA India's Vegan Fashion Awards 2020 READ
3. A Big Indian Story Introduces Vegan Range of Products Made from Pinatex READ
4. Indian Vegan Wool Substitute: Faborg Wins in PETA India's Fashion Awards 2020 READ
5. Leather From Cactus: Arture Introduces Sustainable Vegan Range in India READ
6. Sales of Vegan Footwear Soaring Globally, Finds Study READ

ETHICAL INVESTMENTS

1. 100% Indian Vegan Beauty Brand, Plum Raises Rs. 110 Crores In Series B Funding READ
2. IIT Kanpur-Backed Start-Up That Upcycles Temples’ Flowers Into Vegan Leather Gets 10+ Crore Funding READ
3. Vegan Personal Care Brand Arata Raises $1M in Pre Series A Round
4. JM Morgan Stanley India's Ex-Chief Rajeev Chitrabhanu To Fund Indian Alternate Protein Startups READ

RECOGNITIONS & POLICY

1. Find out who won the PETA India Vegan Food Awards in 2020 READ
2. Vegan India Movement Takes Nationwide Survey READ
3. Scholastic's Book For Indian CBSE Board Curriculum Recognises Vegan Diet READ
4. FSSAI Constitutes Task Force On Vegan Foods READ
5. FSSAI Invites Public Opinion For Classification of Plant-Based Milks READ

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