US – Protein-focused multinational food company, Tyson Foods, is offering mentorship and partnership opportunities to six poultry technology startups to create a comprehensive approach to sustainable food production.
Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, said the startups selected are involved in greenhouse gas emission reduction, reducing food waste, animal welfare, regenerative agriculture, packaging, soil health, and water management.
John R. Tyson, EVP, and chief sustainability officer of Tyson Foods, stated: “This effort is surfacing the best and brightest innovations to tackle complex industry challenges.”
We’re excited about the promise each startup brings to create a comprehensive approach to sustainable food production.”
The startups include AgThera, BioIonix Inc., FR8relay, Grain4Grain, Tangible Robotics Inc., and Vanguard Renewables.
AgThera is a startup that develops innovative antimicrobial live biotherapeutics that facilitate the sustainable production of livestock.
While, BioIonix Inc. is a technology platform company that develops, manufactures, and distributes proprietary electrolytic systems to eliminate biological and chemical contaminants from water.
Meanwhile, FR8relay is a transportation company working to create a more efficient, profitable, equitable, and sustainable trucking logistics ecosystem.
Grain4Grain, a technology startup firm, specializes in valorizing and upcycling a variety of food byproducts into food-safe ingredients and products for use in materials and cosmetics.
According to Tyson Foods, Tangible Robotics Inc., a robotics manufacturer startup, offers the possibility to automate tasks requiring true dexterity and manipulation abilities, beyond simple pick-and-place.
The other selected startup was Vanguard Renewables, a national leader in developing food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects that decarbonize supply chains.
Veronica Tapis Banuelos, maintenance planner at Tyson Foods Storm Lake commented that there’s tremendous talent and innovation in these early startups.
She added that Tyson Foods has an opportunity to learn by collaborating with these young tech companies to create movements poised to disrupt the marketplace.
Tyson Foods reformulates sustainability goals
Meanwhile, Tyson Foods has fine-tuned the pillars of its Formula to Feed the Future strategy, which broadened the focus areas Tyson is committed to positively impacting.
The company said underpinning these focus areas is a strong foundation of corporate governance, business ethics, supply chain management, and data privacy and cybersecurity.
The areas range from Talent Attraction & Development, Human Rights & Labor Relations, Health, Safety and well-being, and Community Investment.
Driving Product Responsibility from Farm to Table, as well as Working Toward Sustaining Natural Resources and Achieving Net Zero is also part of its focus areas.
Under Driving Product Responsibility from Farm to Table, the company is where the mentorship and partnership opportunities program falls.
Through Product Innovation, the poultry processor said it has made a US$100 million+ total investment into Tyson Ventures to support startups and other companies.
The companies supported are focused on emerging proteins, new technologies for food and worker safety, and sustainable production.
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