Member Highlight: Barvecue
To learn more about Barvecue, we asked their team to weigh-in.
What is the name of your company?
Barvecue, Inc.
When and why did you start your company?
We started our company in October 2017, to create great tasting plant-based barbecue, and build a company that cares about people, animals and the planet.
3 sentences or less, can you tell us about the work your company is doing and why it is important?
Barvecue wants to be part of the solution to end factory farming. In doing that, we aim to produce great tasting wood-smoked, plant-based proteins and share our food with the world. We are aiming for commercial success, while staying true to our mission and being mindful of how our decisions will make an impact.
What do you think others should be aware of with regards to the work your company is doing?
We are creating something very special in the plant-based protein space. Give Barvecue a taste and come see what we are building!
How have the current circumstances of the world changed your business plan?
The pandemic delayed our initial launches in retail and foodservice, however, the exponential growth taking place globally in the plant-based space has certainly accelerated innovation and opportunity in the marketplace.
Do you have any exciting news or launches occurring this year?
We are opening our new production facility in September. Barvecue’s Carolina Smokehouse, will be the world’s largest plant-based smokehouse. At the same time we launch nationwide at 360 stores with Sprouts and on the foodservice side we go back to school on the menu at several colleges including Elon University, UNC-Chapel Hill, High Point University, and Washington State University. And we are introducing an exciting new product, wood-smoked plant-based Carnitas.
What is one thing you wish you knew as you began your work that you think is important for others working in this industry to know?
It’s going to be much more difficult than you might expect, but there are tremendous resources available to help along the way. It’s amazing what the Plant Based Foods Association and the Good Food Institute have built to help anyone working to create something special in the plant-based space.
Where can others find you online?
- Website: https://www.barvecue.com/
- Social Media: @barvecue
Investor Highlight: VegInvest
To learn more about VegInvest, we asked their team to weigh-in.
What is the name of your company?
VegInvest
In 3 sentences or less, can you tell us about the work your company is doing and why it is important?
We invest in early stage companies creating replacements for animal products, mostly food but also materials. Our main concern is the extreme suffering of animals inherent in our food system, but it should come as no surprise that what’s bad for the animals is also harmful to the environment and to our health. The factory farming of billion of animals every year is a significant driver of climate change and the consumption of these animals, the cause of myriad chronic diseases.
What do you think others should be aware of with regards to the work your company is doing?
VegInvest is a trust and our profits go to charities working on promoting a switch to plant-based eating and the humane treatment of animals.
How have the current circumstances of the world changed your business plan?
It’s increased the urgency of reducing animal consumption. Given the (likely) emergence of the coronavirus from a live-animal market, as well as the accelerated pace of climate change, it’s more urgent than ever that people reduce their intake of animals and animal products, if not eliminate them from their diets all together. Our hope is that the animal-free meat, dairy and egg products that we’re investing in will function as a bridge to a more humane, healthier, more sustainable food system.
Do you have any exciting news occurring this year?
We’re particularly excited about the growing number of companies in our portfolio founded by women and people of color, who, despite their talent and drive, continue to face barriers to accessing capital.
What is one thing you wish you knew as you began your work that you think is important for others working in this industry to know?
Don’t let fear of missing out guide investment decisions.
Where can others find you online?
Website: https://veginvesttrust.com/
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-trakinski-864086b