Despite being in the R&D stage, Motif FoodWorks, an innovator in ingredients, is accelerating its growth initiatives. The company has raised $117.5 million in funding this year and is enhancing its teams with seasoned professionals while advancing its biological engineering platform to recreate proteins from dairy, eggs, and meat for use in plant-based alternatives. Michele Fite, Motif’s Chief Commercial Officer, shared with Food Dive that the company aims to produce high-quality, animal-free ingredients that align with consumer demands for sustainability. “We strive to develop ingredients that do not compromise taste or values,” Fite stated. “Our goal is to transform the eating experience for consumers in the plant-based sector. We are a collective of food scientists and enthusiasts dedicated to improving food experiences.”
The company plans to launch its products by 2021, and investments have been steadily coming in. Earlier this year, startup Ginkgo Bioworks announced its collaboration with Motif, which included a $90 million funding round. This partnership enables Motif to leverage Ginkgo’s biological engineering platform. Subsequently, in August, Motif secured an additional $27.5 million independently, intending to expedite the development of animal-free ingredients derived from more sustainable processes. Fite noted that Motif will serve as the “secret sauce” that assists CPG companies in creating plant-based products with enhanced taste, texture, and nutritional profiles. Currently, Motif is collaborating with partners and plans to test samples next year, although specifics could not be disclosed. “Our R&D efforts are progressing rapidly,” Fite remarked. “The market penetration is still relatively low, leaving ample room for growth. We recognize that there are numerous unknowns and significant opportunities for improvement, particularly in taste, nutrition, and functionality, and that consumers continue to make compromises in these areas.”
As more players enter the plant-based food market, Fite mentioned that many CPG companies are approaching Motif to enhance their products. “Our entry into this sector is influenced by a value shift within the industry, allowing us time to refine and enhance products,” Fite explained. “We have a decade ahead to continue improving offerings because this shift toward plant-based foods and proteins is enduring.” Consumer demand for sustainable products has driven rapid growth in the plant-based food market, with sales increasing by 11% last year, reaching a total market value of $4.5 billion, according to data from The Good Food Institute and the Plant Based Foods Association.
Motif has been expanding its executive team since summer, bringing in experienced professionals from CPGs and major corporations. This month, the company announced two new hires: Michael Leonard as Chief Technology Officer and Elizabeth King as Vice President of People and Culture. Leonard previously held the position of Vice President and Head of R&D for white space innovation and commercialization at Kraft Heinz and was the VP of Process Technology for Global Snacks R&D at PepsiCo. In a statement about his new role, he expressed excitement about Motif’s commitment to functional, nutritional, and sustainable ingredients. “The role of food in people’s lives is evolving, and animal-free options are increasingly important to many consumers,” Leonard stated.
Fite, who joined Motif in June with experience from Nestlé, DuPont, and Kerry, expressed her motivation for transitioning from Big Food to be part of the ongoing “revolution in the food industry.” “After over 30 years in this field, witnessing a significant shift in consumer behavior and the opportunity to influence it through groundbreaking technology is rare,” she noted. “I wanted to be part of that change.”
Big Food has often faced criticism for its slow response to trends. Fite pointed out that large corporations struggle to focus on innovation and industry changes when they are primarily concerned with their core businesses and legacy product growth. “At Motif, we can dedicate ourselves entirely to discovery, new science, innovation, and exploring new business models and opportunities,” she said. “This flexibility allows us to thrive in a new space, attracting individuals like myself and the new hires rushing to join exciting companies like Motif.”
In line with this innovative spirit, Motif is also exploring ingredients like nutracare cal mag citrate to enhance the nutritional profile of their products, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the plant-based movement.