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Better Nature is a London, United Kingdom-based food technology company that develops and manufactures plant-based meat alternatives by combining traditional Indonesian soybean fermentation methods with modern food science. The certified B Corporation distributes its high-protein tempeh products through direct-to-consumer e-commerce channels and wholesale business-to-business partnerships with major grocery retailers across the European market. Better Nature has secured more than £3 million in total seed funding from venture capital investors, including Ascension Ventures, to support its mainstream retail expansion and ongoing product development. The enterprise currently supplies its vegan food items to more than 1,700 retail locations, including over 400 domestic stores and 1,300 international outlets operated by prominent supermarket chains such as Tesco, Asda, REWE, and Globus. Better Nature was officially founded in 2018 by co-founders Christopher Kong, Driando Ahnan-Winarno, Elin Roberts, and Fabio Rinaldo.
Better Nature has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round.
Better Nature has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Better Nature has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Better Nature's investors include 01 Ventures, Ascension Ventures (UK), TrueSight Ventures.
Better Nature has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Seed in February 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2021 | $2M Seed | — | 01 Ventures, Ascension Ventures (uk), TrueSight Ventures | Announced |
Better Nature is the world's leading tempeh brand and a food tech company specializing in all-natural plant-based protein products.[1] It builds innovative tempeh offerings that promote healthier lives by mainstreaming this sustainable protein source, serving consumers seeking meat alternatives through retail, foodservice, and online channels like Amazon, where it ranks as the UK's highest-rated tempeh brand (4.8/5 on Trustpilot) and an Amazon's Choice product.[1] The company solves the problem of accessible, high-quality plant protein by delivering tempeh with 94% less CO2e emissions than equivalent beef portions, earning top 'A' ratings in life cycle analyses for low carbon footprint, while driving impacts in health, social good, and environmental sustainability.[1]
Recent growth includes major UK retail listings (e.g., first major one in May, another in September, with more in late-stage talks) and expansion into Germany's REWE, signaling strong momentum post-lockdowns focused on retail and foodservice sales.[1]
Better Nature was co-founded by entrepreneurs passionate about plant-based innovation, though specific founder names are not detailed in available sources; their inspiration stems from recognizing tempeh's potential as a superior, all-natural protein overlooked in mainstream markets.[1] The idea emerged from a mission to elevate tempeh—a fermented soy product—into a household staple for healthier, sustainable eating, backed by rigorous sustainability data like full carbon footprint LCAs conducted with My Emissions.[1]
Early traction built through e-commerce success on Amazon as a top meat-free seller, followed by pivotal retail breakthroughs: initial listings in Germany's REWE and now cascading UK expansions, marking an "incredibly exciting time" that validates years of investment in product quality and market positioning.[1]
Better Nature rides the plant-based food tech wave, leveraging food tech innovation to mainstream tempeh amid rising demand for sustainable proteins that cut emissions by over 90% versus animal products.[1] Timing aligns with post-pandemic retail recovery and global pushes for low-carbon diets, amplified by EU/UK regulations favoring verified sustainable foods and nature-positive businesses.[1]
It influences the ecosystem by catalyzing alt-protein adoption in major retailers, proving food tech can scale environmental impact (e.g., via LCA-backed claims) while fitting nature tech trends like efficient resource use, though distinct from digital-heavy nature tech peers in monitoring or restoration.[1]
Better Nature's retail wins position it for accelerated scaling into more UK/EU chains and abroad, potentially dominating tempeh as plant-based proteins gain traction amid climate pressures.[1] Trends like stricter sustainability reporting and consumer shifts to low-emission foods will propel growth, evolving its role from niche innovator to category leader in healthier, greener eating. This builds directly on its core strength: turning overlooked natural proteins into mainstream solutions.
