Alver wins «Best Natural Ingredient Award»

After the success of the first edition in 2016, UBM, Naturex, Presans and Vaucluse Provence Attractivité joined forces to organize another edition of the Start-Up Innovation Challenge in 2017. The challenge aims to promote innovative international projects with an ingredient focus, giving a handful of start-ups the chance to share their research and pitch their latest innovations live at FiE. A panel of judges designated 10 finalists, and the two winners were announced at the end of November.

Besides the jury prize which was bestowed on  to a Danish startup, a special “Natural Ingredients” prize was awarded to Alver Golden Chlorella by Naturex. Alver is addressing the growing demand for high-protein foods by developing a range of healthy, tasty, and sustainable ingredients from Golden Chlorella, a form of microalgae.

Golden Chlorella contains 63% protein (meat has 25%) and is rich in potassium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B. Chlorella is mostly known for its immune system boosting properties and for detoxifying the body, especially from heavy metals. Other benefits include cognitive, eye and skin health. It is also known to promote weight loss and lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

Besides being a sustainable source of protein with many other health benefits, Alver is considered to be innovative because of its neutral taste and golden colour, which has been achieved through a natural fermentation process to ensure the highest levels of micro- and macro nutrients. Golden Chlorella can easily be added to all foods without disrupting consumers’ eating or cooking habits. This unique product is effectively taking micro-algae from a complement to an easy-to-use daily ingredient that will improve both our health and carbon-footprint. Alver’s products are currently sold through their web-shop, in health-shops, pharmacies and in restaurants.

The first Alver Golden Chlorella product was launched in May 2017 at the Vitafoods event in Switzerland. Consistent sales have built us a strong network of followers. After a successful crowdfunding the startup is ready to further develop its product line and scale-up.

Thanks to their triumph at the FiE Startup Innovation Challenge, the startup will receive support from Naturex. This package includes six months of privileged access to its advanced equipment and laboratories, a dedicated pilot for the scale-up of their project, along with regulatory and marketing resources. This will assist the startup in all the critical stages of development.

(RAN)