A New Zealand start-up making apple, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir flour has received a $NZ1.2 million injection from
the home of gastronomy, France.
A New Zealand start-up making apple, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir flour has received a $NZ1.2 million injection from
the home of gastronomy, France.
Greenspot Technologies Ltd creates nutrient-rich alternative flours from fermented fruit and vegetable pulp that would
otherwise go to waste. Their range, which is zero-waste, also includes beetroot, orange, carrot and parsnip flours. They
are made using a sophisticated fermentation process developed in the research labs of the University of Auckland.
Academics-turned-entrepreneurs Associate Professor Silas Villas-Boas and doctoral candidate Ninna Granucci, both from
the University’s Biological School of Science, are now heading to France to grow their fermentation business.
“France is a world leader in fermentation technology. But this technology is for the whole world because the whole world
processes fruits and vegetables.”
They say the seed funding boost will allow the company to expand its team, test various fermentation technologies to
inform the design of a dedicated manufacturing plant, and develop new food formulations.
Long-term plans are to have manufacturing plants in different parts of the world, including New Zealand. “We have good
relationships with fruit and vegetable producers and food manufacturers here and New Zealand regulations means products
coming out are very high quality.”
The pair’s careers pivoted after involvement with the University’s ‘Velocity Entrepreneurial Challenge’ which helps
people test, prepare and grow smart ideas for commercial, social or environmental benefit. This year’s Challenge winners
will be announced on 18 October.
“In 2015, we entered ‘Velocity $100K Challenge’ with a business idea based on the results of Ninna’s research. Ninna was
looking into the actions of specific micro-organisms in the fermentation process to convert fruit and vegetable pulp
into nutritious protein for human consumption.
“We saw how this might be applied to one of the biggest problems facing the modern world – food shortage versus food
waste. By 2050 the world is expected to need 70 percent more food than we have now. Of course you can find new foods
such as insects or put money into developing meat alternatives. Instead, we thought ‘let’s focus on reducing wastage of
good food’. One-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted every year, and 40 percent of that is fruits and
vegetables.”
The scientists placed second in the competition.
“This fascinating activity, and strong feedback from the mentors and judging panel, was the motivation to found the
company. We jumped into the challenge.”
By early 2017, the pair opened a small pilot plant in East Tamaki, Auckland, to prove they could increase quantities
from the lab and produce a consistent product. “In the business world it is very black and white. It either works or it
doesn’t.”
By the end of the year “things were getting serious” and the company required significant investment to scale up.
Greenspot’s experience testifies to the value of applied research, says Associate Professor Villas-Boas. “When you bring
technology back to society, you create jobs, you increase income for the country. In our case, you also reduce negative
impact on the environment.”
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