Nukoko

High-Level Overview

Nukoko is a UK-based food tech startup pioneering a 100% cocoa-free chocolate alternative made from European fava beans using precision fermentation and proprietary technology.[1][2][5] It serves chocolate manufacturers and brands seeking sustainable ingredients that match traditional chocolate's flavor, melt, and performance while reducing environmental impact and supply chain risks.[1][2][5] The product solves cocoa shortages driven by climate change, rising demand, and unsustainable farming by offering a healthier, scalable alternative from nitrogen-fixing fava beans that enrich soil and cut fertilizer needs.[1][2][4][5] Backed by SOSV and EIT Food with under $5M in funding, Nukoko demonstrates early growth through partnerships and accelerator programs.[1][3][4]

Origin Story

Nukoko was founded by a team of chocolate experts passionate about reimagining the industry they love, led by Kit Tomlinson (serial entrepreneur in food brand scaling), Ross Newton (chocolate manufacturing veteran with a decade of experience), and Professor David Salt (food scientist with 35 years in biotechnology and sustainable innovation).[2] The idea emerged from founders' 15 years in the chocolate sector, recognizing cocoa's worsening issues like environmental damage, supply scarcity, and price surges amid climate disruptions.[1][5] They developed a "bean-to-bar" process starting with European fava beans, transformed via innovative precision fermentation to replicate chocolate's complex flavors.[1][2][6] Early traction came through SOSV investment, EIT Food acceleration, and patent-pending tech, positioning them as pioneers in alt-chocolate.[1][3][4][6]

Core Differentiators

• Proprietary Technology and Process: Uses precision fermentation on fava beans for cocoa-free chocolate that tastes, melts, and performs identically to traditional varieties across applications like milk, dark, and dairy-free.[1][2][5][6]
• Sustainability Edge: Locally sourced European fava beans fix nitrogen, reduce fertilizers, shorten supply chains, and slash environmental impact compared to cocoa farming.[1][2][4][5]
• Health and Versatility: Healthier profile without cocoa's drawbacks; scalable for B2B manufacturers to future-proof production and meet sustainability goals.[1][2][5]
• Expert Team and Ecosystem: Combines food science, biotech, and industry know-how; supported by SOSV, EIT Food, and partners in sustainable food production.[1][2][3][4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Nukoko rides the climate-resilient food tech wave, addressing cocoa's "perfect storm" of yield disruptions from climate change, surging global demand, and mounting environmental costs in traditional production.[1][5] Timing is critical as cocoa prices soar and supplies falter, creating urgency for alternatives in a $100B+ chocolate market vulnerable to West African monoculture risks.[5] Market forces like ESG mandates, shorter supply chains post-COVID, and rising alt-protein adoption favor Nukoko's local, low-impact model.[2][4][5] It influences the ecosystem by partnering with major brands for B2B scaling, accelerating precision fermentation in confectionery, and inspiring a shift to regenerative agriculture via fava beans.[1][2][5]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Nukoko is poised for explosive growth as cocoa crises intensify, with next steps likely including commercial partnerships, production scaling, and global B2B expansion beyond the UK.[1][3][5] Trends like precision fermentation maturation, EU sustainability regs, and consumer demand for ethical indulgences will propel them, potentially capturing share from embattled incumbents.[2][4][5] Their influence may evolve from niche innovator to industry standard-setter, redefining "bean-to-bar" for a sustainable era—proving chocolate's future thrives without cocoa, just as they envisioned from day one.[1][2]