Revo Foods: plant-based seafood enabled by 3D printing
Welcome to Shaper Impact Capital’s series of articles showcasing impact startups doing amazing things around the world. Here, we want to introduce Revo Foods (formerly known as Legendary Vish), an Austrian startup that specializes in 3D food printing and creating completely new plant-based fish products. Revo Foods expects their first innovative products — smoked salmon slices and fish spreads — to enter the European market later this year.
In conversation with: Robin Simsa, Founder and CEO of Revo Foods
UNSDGs: UNSDG #14: Life Below Water / UNSDG #12: Responsible Production and Consumption
Looking to fundraise: 500,000€ first-round investment for next twelve months (NTM)
The Problem: Ocean acidification continues to threaten marine environments and ecosystems services. Overfishing and the high use of chemicals and antibiotics in industrial fish farming create significant ecological problems. In addition, with imports (mostly from China) making up more than 60% of EU’s fish consumption, energy-intensive long-distance transport is required. Today, you will find vegan and vegetarian ‘meat products’ in every supermarket, but hardly any vegetable alternatives to fish. Most people know that excessive meat consumption is negatively impacting the climate and our health. For fish, however, the awareness is not as pronounced.
The Solution: Revo Foods specializes in the production of plant-based fish. In doing so, it tackles global issues such as climate change, natural resource constraints, and overfishing. Their new production method provides the company complete control over the texture and structure of fish products, making it adaptable to many other products. Revo Food’s fish products include healthy ingredients such as pea proteins, algae extracts, plant oils, and citrus fibers, and are free from toxic heavy metals or microplastics. The company expects a maximum capacity per printer of 350kg salmon per month, and to produce 75% less carbon emissions compared to Norwegian salmon aquaculture farms.
The Market: The global seafood market size amounts to approximately € 135 billion, with the European salmon market making up € 5.5 billion. About € 20 million of the European salmon market can be attributed to plant-based salmon. This market is expected to grow rapidly, comparable to the plant-based meat market growth estimations of >19% CAGR worldwide.
The Team: Robin Simsa (CEO) and Theresa Rothenbücher (CSO) hold a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Molecular Biology, respectively. Together with their new member Manuel Lachmayr (CTO), president of the OEG3D society for 3D-printing Austria, the team possesses deep knowledge in food processing technology and 3D printer design. It is already well-connected with leading academic scientists within the fields of plant-protein texturization.
Recent Successes:
- The company successfully performed its patent analysis and is now in the technology optimization process
- First prototype of plant-based salmon products have been created: smoked salmon slices and fish spreads
- 1st place in the EIT Climate LaunchPad competition
- Member of the EIT Food Global Venture Program network
- Accepted into the GreenStart Incubator Program
- Supported by the X-Tech Challenge of the Danish Technical University
Recent Challenges:
- Further development of the printing technology: printer-head setup, loading system
- Products in the near future will include 3D-printed plant-based sushi (salmon and tuna sashimi) as well as plant-based salmon and tuna filets
- Building a strong team with talented people incl. food scientists
Why we love Revo Foods: The transition to a low carbon economy put pressure on the food industry to find sustainable low carbon protein alternatives, a scenario in which Revo Foods could be well positioned to experience strong growth and returns. The drastic reduction in human activity brought about by Covid-19 may now be a chance for oceans to recuperate. We know that a radical change in our food system is needed to preserve a liveable planet for future generations.
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