Amai Proteins

The sweet progression towards designer proteins

Name: Amai Proteins Country: Israel Product: Protein design technology that enables sugar reduction of up to 70% Award: Most Innovative Food or Beverage Ingredient, 2019 Interviewee: Dr Ilan Samish, founder and CEO

How did you benefit from taking part in the Startup Innovation Challenge?

“The Startup Innovation Challenge is the world’s leading competition in the field of ingredients […] Numerous ingredient and food and beverage companies approached us after the win. No less important, with the help of the win that validated our product, we secured around $15M in investment and non-dilutive funding.”

Did you make any good industry connections?

“In a meeting of 27,000 attendees with full attendance by virtually all players in the field, [we] met all the companies that we wanted to meet.”

Why is it important for startups to take part in such challenges, competitions, pitches?

“It is pivotal for startups to take part in such events for three reasons. First, it is an amazing exposure to the ecosystem – rather than knocking on doors of potential business partners, your small startup’s door is being knocked on.”

“Second, the preparation for such an event is not different from preparing for meetings with investors, which bring the fuel required for moving forward. Third, winning such an event that is judged by top-notch industry experts is an important external validation showing investors your credibility and high chances of long-term success.”