Puratos Launches a New Start-up Incubator and Investment Fund

The company has developed Sparkalis, the first global food tech venture in bakery, patisserie and chocolate that will support the development of ground-breaking products, services and ingredients, and drive collaboration with start-ups and SMEs, according to a press release.

Sparkalis will both be a start-up incubator and a provider of direct investment. Its flexible approach means it can offer scalable support to accelerate business growth for food tech innovators. Investments will include projects on plant-based products, fermentation, and digitalization. The venture will also support manufacturing ideas. Sparkalis will be able to support excellence in innovation, empowering start-ups to move from the ‘chrysalis’ stage, to actualization and to full scale development

A global network of almost 100 experts is ready to quickly assess projects and personally mentor the most promising start-ups. Each project supported by Sparkalis will be mentored by a dedicated Puratos specialist to maximize the success of the original innovative ideas becoming commercial concrete successes. The new venture will provide holistic expertise in product development, global scaling of market-ready solutions, support on regulatory requirements, and training opportunities.

Sophie Blum, managing partner at Sparkalis and chief marketing officer at Puratos, commented: “Sparkalis is looking for the future changemakers among start-ups in the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors. Our team of global experts, each with their own professional background, is excited to transform their visions into successful business realities. This venture provides the perfect growing soil to discover the next big innovation in food while relying on Puratos’ century-long R&D, network and consumer understanding.”