In an effort to spotlight
plant-based food innovation, Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, a vegan investor, recently
hosted a nine-course tasting dinner in New York.
“I think it’s undeniable now that doing without animal
products in general is a very good choice for the environment, for the economy,
for the quality of life. I think what the biggest change is and we’re
celebrating it here, is that there’s a meeting between brilliant financial
minds and creative minds and entrepreneurs and these vegan ideas, he explains
to Forbes.
As consumers become more aware of the mistreatment of farmed
animals and the widespread environmental destruction
caused by the meat industry, they are demanding change. So the vast
entrepreneurial prospects presented by the market for humane
plant-based foods should come as no surprise.
“We’re at a juncture where you don’t need to be vegan to
want to invest in vegan ventures. They make so much sense. You want
to be there before anybody else, says
Castiglioni.
This is evidenced by the fact that Castiglioni and
billionaires like Bill
Gates and Li
Ka-shing are taking an interest in veg
companies; in fact, Ka-shing awarded $23 million to Hampton Creek and took part
in a $75 million investment in Impossible Foods. Castiglioni himself has
invested in several vegan ventures, including Beyond
Meat and Lighter.
As the popularity of meat wanes, more and more delicious
animal-free options are hitting store shelves all the time. But with
the amazing variety of products already on the market, there’s never been a
better time to ditch meat.
Click here for a list of savory plant-based meats.