Accelerating the alternative protein industry

Our work with global partners across the private sector advances the alternative protein industry and enables market breakthroughs. We analyse the market to identify key white spaces and emerging opportunities and provide actionable, open-source market data and consumer insights. We foster an idea-rich startup ecosystem and drive capital to scale the industry. We help guide incumbent food and meat manufacturers’ alternative protein strategy. In short, we partner with companies throughout the supply chain to identify the most impactful business activities that will grow the bottom line and advance the next generation of alternative proteins to compete with conventional animal products on the key drivers of consumer choice: taste, price, and convenience.

Catalysing innovation and investment

We build relationships with—and provide research and insights to—Asia’s leading food and meat companies to catalyse innovation and commercialisation of alternative protein products, including plant-based meat, eggs, and dairy. To inform capital providers of alternative protein opportunities, we analyse and present information on the market to a wide variety of institutions, including venture capital, private equity, family offices, banks, corporations, and investor groups. We also work with industry experts to identify, catalog, and analyse concrete white space ideas. We provide regional startups with support, such as access to useful data and connections to relevant partners and investors, to help drive successful funding rounds. We also facilitate constructive dialogue between entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, corporate professionals, and scientists through our GFIdeas community, to ensure professionals with different backgrounds meet and make useful business connections.

Making alternative proteins delicious and affordable

We work directly with suppliers and manufacturers to identify key product opportunities, hone strategy, and accelerate the pace at which alternative protein products gain market share. We help manufacturers develop products that are as delicious, affordable, and accessible as conventional products.

Our Asia-specific market research highlights the rapid growth of plant-based meat, eggs, and dairy, and identifies key category opportunities. Our plant protein overview, technical guides, and company databases accelerate R&D, innovation, industry collaboration, product launch, and scaling.


2023 APAC State of the Industry Report

Everything you need to know about the alternative protein ecosystem in APAC.

APAC alternative protein company database

New to the alternative protein landscape, or looking for a potential business partner? Peruse our comprehensive database of APAC companies active in plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated proteins.

Investor resources

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Investor due diligence support

If you’re considering investing in an alternative protein startup, you’ve come to the right place. Look here for support and resources to conduct due diligence on alternative protein companies.

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Fundraising database

Identify alternative protein companies in Asia Pacific that are currently engaged in a fundraising round and explore opportunities to drive positive outcomes through strategic financing.

Entrepreneurship

Starting a business can be challenging, and GFI APAC is here to help. Our resources support each step of planning, launching, and growing an alternative protein startup.


Startup manuals

Get our step-by-step guide to starting and growing an alternative protein company in either Singapore or Hong Kong.

Investor directory

This directory includes the most active investors of APAC who are interested in funding alternative protein companies. Fundraising startups can use this resource to make connections to investors.

Map of accelerators and incubators

Discover accelerators and incubators in the APAC region that can provide early-stage resources for alternative protein entrepreneurs.

Insights Series

Discover insights from alt protein founders, analysts, and investors across APAC in a five-part blog series: fundraising, product development and sourcing, go-to-market strategy, alt protein marketing, and scaling up and partnerships.

Manufacturing & production

Plant Protein Varieties in Bowls
Plant protein primer

Consumer demand for plant-based products is growing rapidly, and a broad portfolio of plant proteins is now available for plant-based meat, egg, and dairy products.

Shiok Meats Shrimp Dumpling
Alternative seafood consumer insights

A first-of-its-kind survey commissioned by GFI APAC set out to learn what would motivate consumers in Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea to choose plant-based or cultivated seafood. Dive in!

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APAC alternative protein ecosystem database

Looking specifically for B2B partners? This directory of ingredient and equipment suppliers, pilot plants, consultants, and other critical entities is a one-stop shop for accelerating your alternative protein business.

The untapped potential of mung beans for alternative proteins

Crop diversification is essential for building a robust supply chain that can tap into secure, local, and underutilised ingredients for plant-based meat, egg, and dairy products. Explore how the mighty mung bean could take alt proteins to the next level in APAC and beyond.

Cell line development and utilisation trends in the cultivated meat industry

Insights from a cell line survey conducted by GFI APAC aimed at better understanding how primary cells and immortalised cell lines are being used and developed by the cultivated meat industry.

Downstream insights

Foodservice

GFI APAC analysed menus at 20 of the largest food chains—both local and international—across 11 subregions: mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Our research revealed high interest in plant-based food, but not every chain delivers (yet).

Consumer insights

Southeast Asia, with over 650 million inhabitants, faces escalating conventional meat consumption, further intensifying environmental pressures. This report examines current and projected rates of plant-based meat adoption, health motivations, high- and low-interest consumer segments, and sentiments on new categories like blended meat. With this roadmap in hand, industry stakeholders can more strategically satisfy consumer demand and capitalise on Southeast Asia’s position as a global protein producer.

APAC stakeholder collaborations

Industry stakeholders across APAC are working collaboratively to align nomenclature, train up new talent, and coordinate regulations for cultivated meat. Learn more:

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GFIdeas community

GFIdeas is a community for entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, and government and corporate representatives who are driving alternative protein innovation globally.

Corporate support

We work with the private sector to drive investment, innovation, and scalability to accelerate the alternative protein supply chain. Learn more about how we can support you in this process.

Meet our corporate engagement experts

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Jennifer Morton

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Jennifer is GFI APAC’s Corporate Engagement Manager, working to widen and deepen engagement and partnerships across the alternative protein supply chain. Prior to joining GFI, Jennifer was a strategy consultant for over five years in the Netherlands and Singapore focused on sustainability, social impact, and agriculture. She has worked with multinationals, SMEs, agribusinesses, governments, financial institutions, and nonprofits in the agriculture sector and beyond to design sustainability strategies, develop inclusive supply chains, and forge multi-stakeholder partnerships for systems-wide change. Jennifer holds an MSc in Corporate Social Responsibility and an MA (Hons) in International Relations.

Jennifer lives in Singapore. 

Divya Gandhi

RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Divya works to widen and deepen corporate engagement and partnerships across the alternative protein supply chain. Prior to joining GFI, Divya worked in consulting and strategy for eight years. She has experience working with governments and donor partners—including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank—on large-scale strategic and project implementation advisory engagements.

She has designed and implemented multiple campaigns for government and non-government entities, and her professional experience spans a wide variety of countries, including Cambodia, India, the Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Togo, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Divya lives in India.

Jayaroopa Jeyabarathi

HEAD OF ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN FINANCING SECTOR

Jayaroopa leads GFI APAC’s efforts to enhance financing in the alternative protein sector. Before joining GFI, she co-founded an angel network and served as an impact investor, leading the India offices of several impact investing firms. Her investment portfolio spans agriculture, financial services, and sustainability. Additionally, she spearheaded fundraising efforts at a microfinance institution, successfully securing debt, equity, and structured finance.

She brings expertise in investing, entrepreneurship, impact, and community building. She holds an MBA from the Xavier Institute of Management, India.  

Jayaroopa lives in Singapore.

Career portal

headshot of viola chen
No organisation plays a more central role in Asia’s booming alt protein sector than GFI APAC and I’m immensely proud of the important work I spearheaded as part of their all-star team. After working for GFI APAC, the sky is the limit.”
Viola Chen, food innovations consultant to alternative protein startups in mainland China

Looking to start a career in the alt proteins space? Check out our APAC jobs board.

Recent updates

Transforming land use – considerations for APAC

GFI’s land use analysis highlights that alternative proteins require 50 to 90% less land than conventional animal proteins, offering significant…

Scaling up and partnerships: What do alt protein industry experts say?

In a competitive business environment, scaling up effectively is crucial for long-term success. This complex process involves careful planning, partnerships,…

Alt protein marketing: What do industry experts say?

Creating a new category needs marketing to generate consumer demand. A great product is ineffective if consumers are unaware of…

Go-to-market strategy: What do alt protein industry experts say?

Understanding a new market or launching a product is challenging, especially in the early-stage alternative protein sector. We spoke with…