Mars invests in food-focused startups to accelerate sustainability
Mars Inc. and startup accelerator Unreasonable Group are partnering with 15 early-stage companies to scale innovations advancing sustainability throughout the food supply chain. The venture cohort will have access to mentorship, resources, networks, and opportunities for collaboration with industry leaders. The companies include companies focused on reducing emissions in dairy cattle or advancing precision agriculture through satellite mapping. The joint "Unreasonable Food" program, announced in February, aims to support rapid growth companies and the M&M's net zero by 2050 roadmap and 2030 goal of reducing emissions by 50%. The startups are primarily focused on efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses and improve circular packaging. The cohort includes startups such as Mootral, Sea Forest, Yard Stick, Register Ag, LandScan, Nitricity, Absolute, Xampla, Loliware, Farmerline, 80 Acres Farms, MycoTechnology, Voyage Foods, String Bio, and Air Protein. Mootral produces a feed additive that reduces methane emissions by up to 30% while increasing milk yields. Sea Forest produces red seaweed-based feed additives that reduce cattle emissions by up to 90%. Yard Stick provides a cost-effective solution to measuring carbon. LandScan provides a digital twin of the farm for targeted soil data and enhanced precision agriculture practices.
