v2food is an Australia-based producer of plant-based meat substitutes. It is a partnership between Jack Cowin's Competitive Foods Australia and CSIRO's investment fund Main Sequence Ventures.[1] The company produces plant-based meat alternative products using protein extracted from legumes.[2]
 logo for the v2food's burger | |
| Industry | Food |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 2019 |
| Founder | Nick Hazell |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Nick Hazell (CEO) Jack Cowin (investor) |
| Products | Plant-based patties, mince, sausages |
| Website | www |
History
editv2food was founded in January 2019 out of a partnership between Jack Cowin's Competitive Foods and CSIRO's investment fund Main Sequence Ventures.[3] Jack Cowin's company also owns Hungry Jack's, the master franchisee of Burger King in Australia.[4][5] CSIRO entered into an arrangement where the organization would generate research in exchange for an equity stake of the company.[6] Founder Nick Hazell also serves as CEO of v2food.[5]
Competitive Foods currently operates a facility in Brisbane. In 2019 the Australian Financial Review reported that a new factory to supply v2food would break ground in Wodonga before the end of 2019.[7] The factory opened in December 2020; however in 2023 the factory was shut down following challenges in the marketplace.[8]
The company intends to expand its reach into China and other parts of Asia.[2]
Products
editHungry Jack's launched v2food's first product in October 2019, the "Rebel Whopper", a meat-free alternative to the fast food company's signature Whopper burger.[7][5][9] v2food's burger patties later became available at Soul Burger and Burger Urge outlets, as well as New Zealand Burger King restaurants from January 2020.[10] In late 2020 Burger King launched the "Plant-Based Whopper" featuring v2food's patties in the Philippines and Japan.[11]
In April 2020 v2food's mince product became available in meal kits from Marley Spoon. Their mince and burger patties became available in Woolworths and Coles supermarkets later that same year.[10] The company released a sausage product in 2021.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Vickovich, Aleks (2019-05-24). "Hungry Jack's and CSIRO scientists to develop meat-free Whopper". Business Insider Australia. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ a b Waters, Cara (2020-10-20). "V2food raises $77 million to take its plant-based burgers to China". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ Palmer-Derrien, Stephanie (2019-10-02). "As Australia's meat-free scene sizzles, Hungry Jack's boss backs plant-based protein startup". SmartCompany. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ "Australia just got a new plant-based meat startup; v2food". 9News. 2019-10-02. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ a b c Daly, John (2019-10-08). "CSIRO teams with takeaway tycoon to make 'fake meat' fast food". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ Heard, Gregor (2019-10-03). "Plant based protein to boost Aussie pulse sector". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ a b Balley, Michael (2019-10-01). "Jack Cowin to build $20m fake meat factory". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ Long, Warwick (2023-02-17). "Plant-based meat manufacturer V2food set to close $20m Wodonga factory". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
- ^ Koehn, Emma (2019-10-01). "Cowin says cow out as Hungry Jack's offers meat-free option". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
- ^ a b Palmer-Derrien, Stephanie (2020-11-05). "From the Rebel Whopper to global domination: A year in the life of plant-based meat startup v2food". SmartCompany. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ Ho, Sally (2021-01-14). "Burger King Launches Plant-Based Whoppers Across Asia With v2food & The Vegetarian Butcher". Green Queen. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
- ^ Jackson, Deborah (2021-04-01). "Plant-based food company v2food set to expand into P&C". C-Store. Retrieved 2021-07-12.