The Chat & Taste with Koolseed event, organized as part of the Excel4Pro Meetups series, took place on April 2, 2026, at Yıldız Technopark, Yıldız Technical University. Focused on sustainable food systems, entrepreneurship, and alternative proteins, the event brought together students, researchers, and ecosystem stakeholders interested in the future of agrifood innovation.
Opening Remarks and Project Introduction
The programme opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Halil Daşgın from TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, who introduced the objectives and scope of the Excel4Pro project. Participants gained insights into how the project aims to support innovation in plant-based foods and sustainable processing technologies across Europe.
Entrepreneurial Journey and Insights
The session continued under the moderation of İlknur Şahin, Project Manager at Foodback. During the talk, Koolseed Co-Founder Cansu Yegin shared her entrepreneurial journey, the vision behind Koolseed, and her experience in developing plant-based, protein-enriched products. The discussion provided valuable perspectives on building a startup in the alternative protein space, as well as on product development and market validation processes.
Tasting Experience and Participant Engagement
Following the talk, participants had the opportunity to taste Koolseed’s high-protein snacks. This interactive tasting session allowed attendees to directly experience innovative alternative protein products and engage in discussions around taste, nutrition, and sustainability.
Inspiring Insights and Interactive Dialogue
The session proved highly inspiring for young entrepreneurs and researchers, offering valuable insights into the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Participants also gained an inside look at the R&D journey behind Koolseed’s plant-based, high-protein products. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to pose their questions directly to the guest entrepreneur.
