Alternative Protein Fundamentals Programme

Policy & Entrepreneurship Track

Week 8: What does the alternative protein industry currently look like, and what opportunities are there?

Now that you know the basics of alternative proteins, what are the opportunities for you in this space? Could you join an alt. protein company, or even start your own? Could you direct your research towards this field or start an Alt. Protein Society at your own institution? Might you want to work in alt. protein policy and regulation?

This session encourages you to consider the most exciting and impactful things you could be doing in the alt. protein space. Through these resources and the careers fair we aim to show examples of people who have gone and done just that, as well as providing opportunities for you to do the same. Crucially, this field is still incredibly nascent and so there is enormous potential to make a huge impact however you see fit.

The reading and discussion sessions for this week will be less structured than previous weeks and more tailored around your individual interests. Please feel free to explore the resources that most interest you, have a think about your Capstone Project and future career options.

Core Material [~2hrs]

  • Capstone Project Page - read through the information and have a think about your own Capstone Project

    • Add any ideas of your own to the CP Collaborative Ideas Database or find a project on there that you would like to join. You are also encouraged to post CP ideas in the #capstone-projects channel on the Slack

    • A recording of the Capstone Project Q&A session can be found here

  • State of the Industry Reports (note - GFI plans to release the 2021 SOTI reports shortly):

    • GFI State of the Industry: Plant-based meat, eggs, and dairy video, slides or report [1hr]

    • GFI State of the Industry: Fermentation for alternative proteins video, slides or report [1hr]

    • GFI State of the Industry: Cultivated meat video, slides and report [1hr]

    • GFI State of the Industry: Alternative seafood video and report [40 mins]

    • Material Innovation Initiative State of the Industry Report: Next-Gen Materials

Depending on your interests, check out some of these resources [~15 mins each]:

Student Groups

  • The Alt. Protein Project is the GFI’s global student movement. If you are currently at a University or institution that doesn’t have an Alt. Protein Society then this would be a great framework to start your own!

    • GFI’s Amy Huang will be running two information sessions about the Alt. Protein Project on Thursday 31st March. More info here.

Careers

Research

  • Collaborative Researcher Directory is a database of researchers working in alt. protein fields. If you are searching for a lab to do a Master’s, PhD or PostDoc then this is a great starting point.

Entrepreneurship

Careers Fair:

We are planning a Careers Fair with companies in the alternative protein space to advertise internships and jobs for APFP participants. Company details will be exhibited on the Swapcard platform and will culminate with a live Career Showcase on Saturday 23rd April. More details to follow.

If you are part of a company that would be keen to exhibit at the Fair then please contact Will Saunter on Slack.

Feedback Form:

Please could you spend ~20 minutes filling out the participant feedback form at the start of the session. Filling out this form is incredibly valuable for us as programme organisers so that we can tailor career support for the coming weeks and improve the programme for the next round.

Discussion Prompts:

  • What ideas do you currently have for your Capstone Project? Raise them with the group so your facilitator and fellow participants can offer their thoughts and feedback.

  • If you are thinking about directing your career towards this space, which areas excite you the most? Which would be best tailored to your current skillset? Are there any ways you would be keen to develop your skills in order to pursue a career in this space?

  • What are the 3 most interesting things you have learned since the start of the programme?

  • In which ways have your opinions on alternative proteins changed most markedly since the beginning of the programme?

Further Resources: