The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Mars Snacking and Unreasonable Group have announced the addition of 14 innovative ventures to their Unreasonable Food initiative. The collaboration aims to address critical challenges within the food supply chain while promoting sustainability and resilience in food systems.

Launched in 2024, Unreasonable Food is designed to support growth-stage entrepreneurs who are pioneering solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the food sector.

Amanda Davies, chief R&D, procurement and sustainability officer at Mars Snacking, said: “Addressing the challenges in our food system is a task bigger than any one organisation. Connecting brilliant minds behind pioneering ventures with scaled industry leaders is essential to unlock new possibilities.”

The newly welcomed ventures represent a diverse array of sustainable innovations, focusing on reducing dairy emissions, scaling sustainable ingredients and exploring sustainable colour solutions.

Here’s a closer look at each of the 14 start-ups in the 2025 cohort:

Alpine Bio: This venture is engineering soybeans to produce dairy proteins, creating familiar textures such as melt, stretch and creaminess without relying on traditional dairy sources. This innovation aims to provide a plant-based alternative that mimics the sensory experience of dairy.

Standing Ovation: Using precision fermentation, Standing Ovation produces animal-free casein, a protein found in dairy products. This technology allows the company to replicate the authentic textures of cheese and other dairy foods without animal ingredients, catering to the demand for vegan options.

Oobli: Oobli harnesses sweet proteins derived from plants to create a sugar-like taste without the calories associated with sugar. Their scalable fermentation process enables the production of these sweet proteins, offering food manufacturers a healthier alternative to traditional sweeteners.

Debut Biotechnology: This start-up focuses on fermenting high-value ingredients to create natural colour alternatives. By replacing unsustainable or synthetic colour sources, Debut Biotechnology aims to provide food manufacturers with cleaner, more sustainable options for colouring their products.

Octarine Bio: Octarine Bio specialises in producing a vibrant palette of natural colours through fermentation. Their sustainable colour solutions can be used in food and textiles, providing manufacturers with reliable, eco-friendly colouring options.

DE3PBIO: Leveraging artificial intelligence and biotechnology, DE3PBIO unlocks functional ingredients from plants that enhance the nutritional profile of foods. Their approach aims to make food products cleaner and healthier without compromising on taste or quality.

NuCicer: This venture is breeding new varieties of chickpeas that contain up to 75% more protein than traditional varieties. These new chickpeas are designed to improve taste, texture and resilience to climate stress, making them a valuable ingredient for plant-based products.

Plantible Foods: Plantible Foods extracts Rubi protein from lemna (duckweed), a highly sustainable aquatic plant. This protein can replace eggs, dairy and additives in various food products, offering a versatile and eco-friendly ingredient for manufacturers.

Hydrosome Labs: Utilising ultrafine bubbles, Hydrosome Labs enhances fermentation yields and nutrient delivery in biomanufacturing processes. This innovative approach improves efficiency and effectiveness in producing a variety of food ingredients.

Pow.bio: Pow.bio is pioneering continuous fermentation technology, which reduces production costs and increases capacity for bio-based production. This advancement allows for more efficient manufacturing processes, particularly for sustainable food ingredients.

The 2025 cohort will build upon the successes of the inaugural 2024 group, which has already demonstrated substantial impact, including nearly $200 million in additional revenue, significant reductions in CO₂ emissions and increased access to nutritious food for millions.

Daniel Epstein, CEO of Unreasonable Group, added: “Their work reflects our shared ambition to evolve the food system sustainably and inclusively. Together with Mars, we are committed to providing mentorship and connecting stakeholders to accelerate their journeys.”

The collective efforts of both the 2024 and 2025 cohorts will engage with Mars teams and a global network of investors, focusing on transforming food supply chains and shaping the future of food.