Nupo Ventures

🐓 Around 14.5% of global GHG emissions are produced from livestock production. 🌱 This is impressive for a single industry to achieve. To clarify, eating meat isn’t bad— the large-scale industrialization of animal husbandry is. 🏭 🍖 But what are its impacts, why is it so massive, and what needs to be done? A lot of these emissions come from ruminants: herbivores like cows and sheep that digest plants via a fermenting process that creates methane as a byproduct. Their farts and burps discharge the methane from their bodies. These animals can be considered more environmentally ‘unfriendly’ as compared to other meats like chicken. 🐄 💨 However, all animals require large amounts of water, feed, and land throughout their lifetime. Farmers take care of them by growing feed crops (like soya and maize), maintaining large fields to let them graze, and housing them 🌾 🪵. Oftentimes, this is only achieved after reclaiming land through deforestation to build feedlots, and farming feed crops leeches the land because of the fertilizers used. This makes the process extremely unsustainable. Meat has become a primary part of the meal rather than secondary for most people— its consumption by the average person per year has increased by more than 100% since the 1960s­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­.­­ 📈 As a result of this, the livestock industry has become a ‘meat machine’ due to the trend of rising meat consumption. Meat has become a primary part of the meal rather than secondary for most people. Annual per capita meat consumption has increased from 29.5kg to 34.0kg since the 2000s. On the other hand, 1/6th of the world’s meat produced is thrown out due to non-consumption, indicating that the demand is not as high as industrial livestock farmers believe. By decreasing meat consumption and becoming more agriculturally literate, meat production could be limited in the long run, and consequently, emissions could be too. Sustainability and climate change campaigners have been advocating for diet and production changes. Governments can match these efforts by providing soft nudges to lead citizens to eat less meat. Encouraging education and conversation on the implications of meat-consumption can ensure that more people are cognizant of their carbon footprints and can make well-informed choices regarding their diets. 📖 💭 Governments could also encourage R&D on methods that work with ruminants’ biology and help them produce less GHGs via feed choices. Non-consumption of meat is not necessary, but sustainable consumption is. 🌿💚 #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #Agriculture #VentureStudio #SupplyChain #AgriTech

Another year to mark an important milestone in the amazing journey that Maya Hari and her team have been on 🎂 🎉. We are delighted with the impact we have been able to create with Terrascope to bring to life our vision - "We’re aiming to make a better world, so a more sustainable way of living becomes an everyday affordable commodity", given the type of customers Terrascope is working with. 💗 📈

Are Asian markets ready for sustainability? 🌱 For a Venture Studio, this is an important question to answer when creating B2C ideas. Nupo Ventures has first-hand experience with founding such products. When creating a B2C sustainability venture, the primary goal is to have market permeation. This is challenging and depends on many factors like the consumer-base, competitors, and marketing. Here’s what we learned: 1. Consumer Education. 📖 UNESCO found that few curriculums around Asia include sustainability-related topics. Social education beyond the classroom is also limited: 90% of get their information on the topic from a minimum of 3 (likely unreliable) sources. This creates a misalignment of interests between the majority of consumers and green businesses, leading to many not wanting to pay the sustainability premium. 2. Competition with bigger businesses. 🤝 Consumers are more likely to purchase from the big-name brands they already know­. As these companies also start to become green, existing products are more likely to see upstream changes rather than downstream, i.e. more sustainable, rather than new, products coming in. 3. The “Say-Do” Gap. 💬 Bain and Co. found that for the Asian packaged food industry, the difference between the market share of sustainable products and the consumers’ intent to purchase sustainably is very large. This is shared across many industries. Consumers, despite saying that they would like to purchase sustainable goods, have a hard time purchasing them. This is due to many reasons such as price, availability, and education. 4. Emerging Markets. 👨👩👧👦 Countries in Asia vary in their development stage. Developing countries have an emerging middle class and are more likely to be sensitive to sustainability premiums. However, other countries like Japan who are more developed have been able to foster a culture of sustainability post-development. So, what could work? The most popular sustainable products have a secondary branding unrelated to sustainability, but they still educate their fiercely loyal consumers through brand notoriety. This allows for the premium price being offered to have multiple angles that many consumers can identify with. Even if many Asian markets are not ready to go green, they will eventually. Buyers are fortunately becoming more cognizant to sustainability. 78% of consumers stated that sustainability is important to them in their products. As education on sustainability improves, this number will continue to rise, with 40% of consumers aiming to purchase more sustainably by 2025. #VentureStudio #Sustainability #Agritech #Innovation #Startups #B2B

The Global Plastics Treaty addressing plastic pollution has been in the works for the last two years. Its proposed deadline is only four months away, but will this be enough time for countries to reach a consensus about the future of plastic systems? In 2022, 175 countries agreed to create an accelerated plastic pollution elimination timeline that could be implemented in 2025. A month ago, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries said this schedule will be “very difficult.” Here is why: The 4th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC4) in April finished with a revised draft of the treaty discussing a list of products and chemicals of concern. The proposed target was to reduce plastic pollution by 40%. Most countries agreed on extended producer responsibility of plastic packaging in markets. The most divisive topic was the production and distribution of primary plastic polymers (PPPs), the group of polymers most used in plastic creation. An EU forecast said even with optimized plastic waste management and circularity (with standards agreed upon by most countries, albeit at varying levels), plastic pollution will continue to grow through 2040. The Scientist’s Coalition claims that there needs to be an ‘upstream reduction’ for there to be a real difference that honors both this Treaty and the Paris Agreement. But not all countries were equally enthusiastic in finding solutions. Firstly, many prominent polluters were ‘less ambitious’ when finding solutions and said they would try to take a ‘demand-side’ approach rather than supply-side. This could, in part, be from the increased pressure from fossil fuel and chemical-industry lobbyists, seen in their 37% increase in representation from INC3. Secondly, quite a few countries positioned themselves against phasing out and limiting production of PPPs. Many of them are still developing, and this was cited as a reason by delegates for why banning and limiting supply of PPPs is not feasible. These countries’ economies are deeply intertwined with plastics, and drastic measures could lead to economic and social instability. The solution for plastic pollution has to be extremely nuanced, requiring time to formulate. But as the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems increases, we are running out of time. In 2018, Dalberg estimated that just marine plastic pollution caused approximately US$7 billion worth of losses, aggregated from aquaculture, fishing, and tourism. By INC5 in November 2024, experts say the countries will have to reach a consensus on a few key issues: 1. How to confront the chemicals used plastic production that lead to environmental leaching 2. How to limit plastics production (especially for short-term plastics like packaging) 3. How to ensure that the agreement can apply to all countries regardless of economic status without giving any leeway to not be committed to solving plastic pollution. #PlasticsTreaty #Sustainability #PlasticPollution #UnitedNations #StartUps

500 million smallholder farms make up approximately 30% of the global food supply. These farms are being disproportionately affected by climate change, the increasing market barriers, and the digital divide. 👨🌾   Farm resilience can be built through having more information and resources, but it seems smallholders continually have access to neither. This upwards battle results in loss of livelihoods and farm abandonment. If left unchecked, the 2 billion people that rely on them could be led to food insecurity.      Though technological progress on AI has been happening for more than a decade, the AI boom from ChatGPT's launch 2 years ago has led the world to notice that AI is extremely proficient at helping various industries, including agriculture. However, these solutions have primarily only been directed at larger agricultural operations who can more readily afford and utilize them. AgTech companies have a responsibility to integrate smallholders into their solutions by understanding the nuances of their issues. 💻 🤝   The capabilities of AI continue to expand daily, and it’s time we decipher how to realistically use this tool to help one of the world’s most vulnerable groups.      Visit our website to read about the scope of AI in smallholder farming. Link in the comments. 🌿   #AgriTech #Innovation #AI #Smallholder #Farming #VentureStudio 

📊 Unearthing the Business Value in Fostering Sustainability 🌱🌐    In today's economically uncertain world, sustainability is a beacon of opportunity for businesses. ESG metrics are commonplace, we see a positive correlation between business performance and sustainability.   To elevate their business value, businesses should consider three actionable strategies:    1️⃣ Driving Brand Value with Solid ESG metrics:   Brands investing in sustainability resonate with conscious consumers and receive premium pricing.     NielsenIQ found products with ESG-related claims had a 1.7 percentage point increase in CAGR compared to those with none. The shift towards sustainability is influential; 78% of consumers express its importance. They are also 64% more likely to recommend a business with sustainable practices.    Experienced investors also look for transparent, sustainable businesses, with 85% of chief investors saying strong ESG metrics were crucial. Companies with clearer ESG goals and pathways are more highly valuated.    2️⃣ Create a Superior Business Model with Circular Design:   Embracing the circular economy is a transformative step towards value creation. By minimizing waste and extending product lifecycles, industry heavyweights like Patagonia and Levi Strauss & Co. are setting a new standard. Approximately 79% of Patagonia buyers have brand loyalty, partly due to their supply chain transparency. Circular design requires a holistic approach, encompassing product design, packaging, and supply chain strategies.     Other companies IKEA and Unilever have also committed to incorporating circularity while still driving profits. IKEA’s Take-Back program allows minimization of costs through recycling/repurposing of furniture. It's about doing more with less, benefiting both the business and the environment.    3️⃣ Influencing Sustainable Consumer Behaviors:   Industry leaders like Carlsberg, Disney, and Walmart are at the forefront of shaping sustainable consumer practices. Their tactics also differ. Disney, for instance, with its 'Track my T' application, educates young consumers on the journey of their organic T-shirts in an engaging manner. This is an example of overt influence, where consumers are directly realizing the environmental impact of their purchases.     However, within the carbon footprint discourse, there is consumer pushback saying companies are the primary polluters. This is why businesses can help consumers change their impact without them changing their lifestyles. For example, Carlsberg is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through innovative brewing techniques. Additionally, McKinsey found that 60% of consumers will pay more for products with sustainable packaging.    By integrating sustainability seamlessly into products and services, businesses can drive positive change while reaping the rewards of a thriving business. 🌍💡 #Sustainability #ValueCreation #Business #ESG #StartUp

On the 14th of June, Singapore’s southern shorelines were confronted with a 400-tonne oil spill, after a tanker crashed. Around the world, there have been 27 oil spills since 2020. They endanger aquatic life and contaminate soil, water, and air— and the secondary effects last years. For Singapore, this means dying coral reef, and the suffering of local birds and lizards. Now more than ever, we need innovative solutions that can mitigate the impact of such ecological disasters and reduce our global dependence on oil. Here are some ways that ventures are contributing: 1. Satellite Monitoring🛰️ This allows for more accurate information on spills, leading to more effective responses.  2. Biomicrogels🧫 These break down oils and make oil recovery more efficient.   3. Physical Absorbents🧽 Having absorbents makes oil cleanup much faster, especially over large spills. Continuing to deploy cutting-edge solutions that solve challenges arising from oil spills helps work towards the greater goal of promoting long-term green initiatives. Venture studios like ours can play a crucial role in fostering such ideas. Join us in our commitment to creating a sustainable future. Together, we can make a significant difference in safeguarding our planet. #OilSpill #Sustainability #Agritech #Innovation #Startups

How environmentally friendly are the items on your plate? 🍽️ Gastronomy is the art and culture of food, and it is important that we foster a culture of sustainability in the food we eat. On Sustainable Gastronomy Day, we think about how to optimize our food supply chains such that it promotes the SDGs. Here are some easy ways to practice sustainable gastronomy: 🧑🌾 Choose Local: Support your regional farmers by buying seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. This builds up the local economy, and ensures that your purchase does not have excessive transport emissions. ♻️Minimize Waste: Plan your meals well, use or repurpose leftovers, and compost! Reducing food waste in these simple ways contributes greatly. 🌱Plant-based Meals: Incorporate more plant-based meals in your life. Not only is it healthy, but it also releases less waste and energy to produce. 📚Educate and Speak Out: Learn about sustainable practices and why they are so important. Share this crucial knowledge with your community to drive change. We also recognize the importance of optimizing global supply chains for greater sustainability. That’s why Nupo Ventures is dedicated to creating innovative solutions that address this need directly. With our ventures such as Terrascope and TRACT , we want to ensure food production embodies end-to-end sustainability— from the moment a seed is planted until it is presented on your dinner plate. Together, we can cultivate responsible gastronomy and celebrate sustainability 🌿🍓🍅    #Agriculture #Sustainability #Innovation #ClimateAction #SupplyChain   

It’s true: we need to unite to scale regenerative agriculture to measure up for a greener future.    Collaboration is key among various players in the agricultural value chain, including alignment within BigAg.    We need to bring about an industry-wide consensus where stakeholders can address environmental issues.     “The need to agree on how to quantify environmental and socio-economic outcomes will unlock the financing and policy needs that are essential for this transition and strengthen corporate accountability.”    TRACT , one of our portfolio companies, is solving this problem.      TRACT is a sustainability measurement platform that aims to simplify sustainability reporting and enhance supply chain performance for the Food & Ag sector.     The company is working towards building a common industry agreement on sustainability definitions and ESG metrics in agriculture, enabling value chain partners to focus more on driving positive impact.      This improves traceability and transparency and will give users radically simplified sustainability oversight for reporting and allow them to focus on the most important task: impact delivery.    Allison Kopf, TRACT’s CEO, said: “The work we’re doing is far reaching, from soy to coffee to cotton, every supply chain has an opportunity for more sustainable production.”    Regenerative agriculture has the potential to avert the impending socio-economic and environmental crises our world is heading towards.     By aligning common metrics and building stakeholder collaboration, we can accelerate this transition to sustainable agriculture.     To learn more about TRACT, visit their website. Link in comments.  https://lnkd.in/e9NKMwJn #Agriculture #Sustainability #Agritech #Innovation #Startups

How do we encourage young people to be the future leaders of the sustainability space? 🤔 By giving them the opportunity to engage with the industry and let their solutions be heard.  This is what Professor Chiara Spina’s students did as part of their Master's in Management Program, where they undertook their final project in their Corporate Entrepreneurship class. 📃 On the 6th of June, Nupo Ventures’ VP Priyanka Mukherjee and Venture Architect Kennard L. were invited to INSEAD's Singapore Campus to assess a venture-building challenge we posed to them. They were tasked to explore ‘Digital Business Opportunities driven by the Sustainable Consumerism Trend’ and provide a 7-minute business proposal inspired by Nupo Ventures’ goals and visions. 🌞 The ideas presented were fresh, and explored a wide range of topics such as:  - Creating inventory management systems to better tackle food wastage  - Building AI solutions for cotton farmers to help them adapt to changing climates  - Making sustainable packing more accessible to SME businesses in Indonesia  - Leveraging emerging technologies to support farmers with capacity building and training etc. Priyanka and Kennard provided advice on building compelling business models for the eco-industry and suggested possible future directions to improve each of these ideas and their execution plans. An open line of communication between industry experts and young entrepreneurs ensures that as the field continues to grow, future innovations are being set up for success (benefitting all of us!). 🌿 Thank you to Professor Chiara for having us, and the students for letting us hear their wonderful ideas!  .  .  .  .  #Entrepreneurship #Sustainability #Agritech #Innovation #Startups