The UK food industry is under threat. It’s incentivised to churn out unhealthy, unsustainable food products. Can challenger brands be the ones to turn it all around? On this episode of the Oh For Food’s Sake podcast we talk to Louis Bedwell, the managing director of Mission Ventures. He believes that the future of food is in the hands of start-ups and he’s helping them to seize it.
Louis tells us how he started working in food and what he’s doing in his current role with Mission Ventures. He lays out some of the challenges that the food industry faces and explains how we as consumers are suffering as a result. Then we discuss the funds available to help challenger brands rise up and compete in a tricky market space. You’ll hear about the Thrive with Sainsbury’s collaboration, Batch Ventures with Warburtons and Mission Venture’s own Good Food Fund, both of which supply support and funding for ambitious brands creating healthier food alternatives.
This episode shines a light on some of the major issues that we all need to think about, whether we work in the food industry or are consumers who want to have access to healthier food products. Get in touch with us via Facebook or LinkedIn to share your thoughts on what’s next in food and don’t forget to subscribe to the Oh For Food’s Sake podcast to hear more from talented people who are changing the food industry.
Timestamps
[0:55] Welcome to the podcast, Louis!
[2:57] From teaching assistant to fixing the food industry: Louis’ career
[7:05] What Louis learnt from the Grocery Accelerator
[8:20] “The food industry is broken”: Tackling the problems of the UK food industry
[14:45] What’s the plan for the future of the programme?
[16:26] Changing the food environment to make cities healthier
[18:46] Healthier alternatives: How to qualify for funding support
[21:02] Why are we eating less healthily?
[25:32] Incentives work!
[27:50] How Louis works with brands through accelerator programmes
[31:20] By entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs: The Mission Ventures team
[33:05] What Warburtons is doing to change the food industry for the better
[37:07] A new brand and more funding: What’s next for Mission Ventures?
[41:17] Where to go to connect with Louis
[43:03] What £1 million can do for a challenger brand
Links and Resources
Email: louis@missionventures.co.uk
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If you would like further support with myself, Amy for food industry coaching and facilitation find me here on instagram or LinkedIn
For food industry Consulting from Lucy you can find her here on instagram or LinkedIn
See you next time!