ADM believes these 6 consumer trends are here to stay, Renewal Mill to upcycle oat milk waste + more

Welcome to the September FoodBytes! Bulletin.

Learn about what makes our Presenting Pitch Partner, ADM, such a force for good in the food & ag industry; get our own Anne Greven's take on the fast-growing farm-to-consumer trend in Green Biz; explore how MLA and Corumat turned meat byproducts into compostable packaging through FoodBytes! Pilot, plus read up on the latest alumni news.

With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, ADM gives customers an edge in solving nutritional challenges. Together with its venture investing arm, ADM Ventures, ADM focuses on startups with disruptive technologies across three key areas: human nutrition, animal nutrition and sustainability. Through FoodBytes! Pitch VIRTUAL, ADM will discover and mentor 45 cutting-edge startups.

Check out ADM's latest insights on consumer behavior shifts.

Our virtual pitch competition planning is well underway and we can't wait to announce the 45 startups selected - stay tuned on October 6.

LAST CALL for Investors: Build relationships through virtual meetings with participating startups during our Investor 1:1s. Complete this 2 minute interest form.

Farm-to-consumer e-tail is on the rise due to COVID-19. FoodBytes!' Anne Greven, Global Head of F&A Startup Innovation, shares her insights on a shift that "won't go away anytime soon".

FoodBytes! Pilot collaborator MLA worked with packaging startup (and FoodBytes! Pitch alum) Corumat to test the market with compostable trays made from upcycled food and meat waste, resulting in a packaging innovation that generated 20 percent cost savings. Get the full scoop in their pilot report.

Are you leading innovation within an F&A Corporate? Interested in collaborating with startups to optimize your business?

Email Caroline Keeley to learn more about our FoodBytes! Pilot program.

Alumni Fundraises

TrapView raised $4.4M from impact investors to double down on their pest management software.
Earth Rover raised $.32M from Mercia Asset Management and Midlands Engine Investments Fund to launch its 'crop scouting' system which predicts the size and timing of harvests.
Partake Brewing raised $4M in a Series A round led by CircleUp Investors to re-define the non-alcoholic beer category.

Alumni in the News

Redefine Meat is re-thinking alternative protein with 3D-printed steaks.
Bond Pet Foods develops the world's first animal-free chicken protein for dogs and cats.
Renewal Mill announces plants to upcycle oat milk byproduct into a nutritious flour.
After shutting down due to COVID-19, Ocean Hugger Foods plans to re-enter the market.

Community Opportunities Header

Know a company (startups or large-scale) that is innovating in excellence, sustainability, or innovation? Nominate them for Rabobank's North America Leadership Awards before September 18.
The OI Forum is now accepting applications for their Food, Drink and FMCG pitching event. Startups of all sizes and maturity encouraged to apply by October 30.
Brandjectory is a secure platform for founders and investors to meet and build relationships on the path towards transaction. Get your first 60 days free! Brands can use code "fbfounder" and investors "fbinvestor".
There is still time to apply for the Food-X 2021 Accelerator - learn more here and don't miss their next webinar, featuring FoodBytes! alum Ori Zohar of Burlap & Barrel: Do This, Not That: Lessons Learned from Food-Tech Startups, Wednesday, September 16.
The Hatchery Chicago offers a wide range of virtual programming for startups looking to grow their businesses - check out their cornerstone course, Starting a Food Business, on Tuesday, September 15.

Click through below to our latest social media posts to catch up on our weekly startup reports, alumni news and more.