With the aim of developing innovative and more sustainable foods by harnessing the high nutritional value of bagasse for human consumption, ImpacTaste emerges, an innovation platform that seeks university students and young entrepreneurs to create new products and business lines in the food industry.
This challenge arises from the collaboration between Hijos de Rivera, a Spanish family corporation specializing in the production, marketing, and distribution of beverages, and Blendhub, an innovation platform for the food industry based in Murcia (Spain) with production hubs on three continents.
Bagasse is a by-product resulting from the pressing and filtering process of beer wort. Due to its high protein content, companies within the Hijos de Rivera group, such as Estrella Galicia or 1906 Reserva Especial, revalorize 100% of bagasse production by transforming it for animal feed.
But the high value of bagasse components, such as its high protein, lipid, or cellulose content, has led the company to explore new valorization pathways in the form of healthy and sustainable foods in its R&D+i strategy. This collaboration with Blendhub, specialized in innovative and tailored solutions for the food industry, emerges from here.
It is estimated that more than 7 million tons of bagasse are produced annually in the European brewing industry, according to data from the European Life Brewery project, giving an idea of the potential of this product in the sector.
A challenge for university students interested in entrepreneurship in the food industry
The first step of the ImpacTaste project is a challenge aimed at final year university students, graduates, and PhD students with an interest in food, technology, and innovation to develop innovative business models around products made from bagasse.
Those wishing to register for ImpacTaste can do so through this website until May 10 by submitting an initial development proposal.
Following this initial challenge, selected participants will receive support and training from professionals of Hijos de Rivera and Blendhub between May and June, thus leveraging the experience of both companies in creating and developing sustainable and innovative solutions. They will receive support in areas such as market research, branding, or production.In mid-September, the top five teams will present their projects to a panel of experts who will distribute prizes ranging from €1,000 to €3,000. The best ideas may also be selected for further development and eventual market launch.
