As part of the Excel4Pro project, the ecosystem webinar “Redefining Meat and Dairy, Powered by Plants” was successfully held on 16 December, bringing together researchers, startups, and sector stakeholders to exchange insights on sustainable protein innovation. Marking Excel4Pro’s first open webinar addressed to the wider ecosystem, the event created a shared learning space at the intersection of academia, entrepreneurship, and industry.
Scientific Insights and Industry Trends in Sustainable Proteins
The webinar opened with welcoming remarks and a project introduction by Dr. Halil Daşgın, delivered on behalf of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center. The session outlined Excel4Pro’s objectives, its role within the Horizon Europe framework, and its approach to strengthening research and innovation capacities in Türkiye, Greece and Ukraine through regional collaboration.
This was followed by a keynote presentation titled “Trends and Innovations in Sustainable Proteins and Next-Generation Foods”, delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge İşleten Hoşoğlu from Gebze Technical University. The keynote explored global developments in sustainable proteins and novel foods, highlighting scientific advances and R&D-driven innovation pathways shaping the future of food systems.
During the workshop, participants conducted a SWOT analysis to evaluate the sector comprehensively. Among the key strengths identified was a clear societal shift toward healthier food choices, highlighting a growing consumer demand for plant-based alternatives. The discussion also highlighted significant opportunities, such as leveraging the economic and environmental impacts of climate change, as well as the strong global momentum favoring plant-based foods and sustainable diets.
Startup Case Studies and Ecosystem Dialogue
In the second part of the programme, the focus shifted to practical perspectives through startup case studies from Türkiye. Anıl Ünver, General Manager of Veggy, shared the company’s experience in developing and scaling plant-based meat products, discussing product development processes, market entry strategies, and growth-related challenges.
The webinar continued with a presentation by Türker Yaşın, Founder of Plantero, who introduced Plantero’s journey in the field of plant-based milk alternatives. His contribution highlighted innovation approaches, business model design, and market positioning within the rapidly evolving plant-based sector.
