Agri-Food : an attractive new sector for French start-ups

 The start-up scene is booming in France

The start-up scene is booming in France

France is experiencing a  growing  enthusiasm for hi-tech,  biotech or greentech companies.  Thanks to government initiatives, the national environment  has become favorable to the creation of innovative businesses.

The French government provides support across several levels to help companies get started, find funding and bring their products to the market. This is also the case of universities or business schools which are promoting entrepreneurship. Even some CAC 40 groups have started to do so.  Encouraged by all these players, young scientists and business graduates are increasingly attracted by entrepreneurship. Major cities promote  growing number of  business incubators, co-working spaces and other places for innovation. 

The French capital that once  was seen as the “old-school” city  seems to be becoming the top tech start-up scene in Europe. France is establishing its place as an emerging landscape for tech startups.

The Agri-Food choice

                While dematerialization and new technologies represent a huge portion of new start-ups activities, one  historical  sector is attracting  more  and more start-ups and investors- Agri-Food.

This is not a surprise as French gastronomy is one of the country's assets with luxury and fashion. This is a highly competitive sector which includes industrial giants such as Danone or Nestlé. However, due to the strong possibility a of strong growth many young  entrepreneurs are trying their luck.

                The organic sector more precisely is flourishing.

The consumption of organic products is a strong underlying trend in France. It is the second biggest European country regarding consumption of organic goods, right after Germany. The organic market in France represented €5.5 billion at the end of 2015, a 10% increase compared to 2014.  Organic food is now a part of  many French  people's everyday life.

According to the French agency for the development and promotion of organic farming  “almost  9 out of 10 French people  are consuming organic products”. Therefore, the organic market influence is  becoming increasingly important. Farmers favour it, as well as the government favours it and so do young entrepreneurs.

                The Agri-Food sector must be constantly on the alert and attentive to market changes. Innovation is particularly  important.  One success factor of young startups will be in improving the quality, the traceability of the products as well as the sourcing of the raw materials.

Today, innovation in the food sector mostly consists in imagining new consumption patterns, new categories of products with high added value or new packaging.

The agri-food choice is not the cheapest way, however it may worth the sacrifice.

         Two french innovative Companies  : Origin and Gryö

Origin: the virtues of plants in an organic drink

Launching  a range of  natural plant-based beverages was the gamble taken by Origin, two  young men from the city of Grenoble (France). Passionate about  innovation and with nature, they created Origin in 2015. Their hibiscus beverage was elected best product in 2016 by consumers and their Ginger/Citrus beverage has recently won the same distinction.

This company took into consideration the importance of innovation and has developed an innovative productive process. It is called " a high pressure water extraction process". This process allows the extraction of plants' natural essence and thus preservers its natural flavours and its properties. Hibiscus  for instance has antioxidant properties, rhubarb is  vitalizing, and green tea is relaxing.

Origin fits with a sustainable development approach. They are committed to nature and to men, using healthy products, all from organic agriculture. Accordingly, its products do not contain any chemicals. Origin is the first range of natural drinks 100 % made with plants and is unique in France.

The brand is currently offering 5 flavors: Hibiscus, Green Mint tea, Rhubarb, Ginger/Lemon and Elderflower. 

More information on http://www.origin.bio/en/home/

Gryö : cricket flour protein bars

Gryö : cricket flour protein bars

For those  who  want to reduce their meat consumption and who  are ready to change their eating habits, here is the solution.

This start-up offers cricket flour protein bars  packaged  like small cakes. It offers  very different tastes as you can observe below.

Insects have many advantages:

·         Insects require little energy: producing one kilo of insects will only  require 1 liter of water  when  1 kilo of beef involves 50 liters of water.

·         Insects are hyper-protein,  e.g.  rich in iron, fiber,  omega  and other proteins

·          Consuming insects will contribute to the reduction of  global greenhouse gas emissions

·         Gryö bars are made with ingredients from organic farming and its insects are bred in Burgundy and Spain

More information on http://gryo-bars.com/

Hélène A