Climate Crisis Sparks Innovation: British Biotech Start-up Offers Cocoa Salvation Through Unconventional Fermentation
Win-Win Secures £3 Million in Funding for Cocoa-Free Chocolate Production
Win-Win, a British food tech startup based in the UK, has recently secured £3 million in Series A funding. This investment round was led by prominent backers including the Oetker Collection and FoodLabs, bringing Win-Win's total funding to £8 million after earlier rounds in 2023 [1][2][3].
Founded in 2020, Win-Win is the UK's only producer of cocoa-free chocolate. The company leverages cutting-edge fermentation science combined with traditional chocolate-making expertise to create sustainable, flavour-focused chocolate alternatives without using cocoa [1]. This technology addresses challenges in the conventional cocoa industry, such as environmental impacts, ethical concerns, and supply instability driven by climate change and deforestation [1].
The crisis in the chocolate supply chain is driven by climate volatility and persistent labour challenges. In response to this looming crisis, Win-Win was established to offer a mass-market scalable alternative to traditional cocoa-based chocolate production [4]. Ahrum Pak, the founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Win-Win, considers the challenge of creating a new chocolate product from scratch to be significant [5].
Win-Win's chocolate is made through fermentation, not using cocoa beans. The difficulty in creating a new chocolate product lies not only in the technical aspects but also in the sensory, as recreating the deep flavor of cocoa is a challenge with sustainable ingredients [5]. However, the team's dedication and expertise have resulted in the creation of two award-winning cocoa-free products—Vegan M.lk and Dark alternatives—which have been launched into the German-speaking DACH region through a major distribution partnership with Martin Braun Backmittel und Essenzen KG [2][4][5].
Looking ahead, the funding will be invested to accelerate product line development, scale production, and expand distribution throughout Europe [2][4]. The company aims to meet growing consumer demand for sustainable, ethical indulgences while fostering industry transformation towards more environmentally and socially responsible chocolate alternatives [1].
The team is crucial for a company's success, especially during scaling. Missteps in hiring can be a silent killer, while the right people in the right roles can unlock growth and make life easier and more focused [6]. Pak relies on external guidance, including a supportive board and experienced advisors, for perspective during difficult moments [7]. Early backing from investors like Christophe Maire, founder of Berlin's FoodLabs and Atlantic Labs, was pivotal, not just financially but emotionally, providing support during the highs and lows of start-up life [7].
In summary, Win-Win has made significant progress by securing substantial funding, forming strategic partnerships for European distribution, and advancing its fermentation-based cocoa-free chocolate technology. Its future prospects appear strong with a clear growth plan focused on product innovation and geographic expansion in response to the global chocolate industry's sustainability challenges [1][2][4]. The idea of a fermentation-based chocolate could prove irresistible in a world increasingly obsessed with sustainable production and supply-chain resilience.
- Win-Win is focused on fostering growth in the business through innovation, specifically the production of sustainable, cocoa-free chocolate.
- The funding of £3 million will be used to accelerate the development of Win-Win's product line, scale production, and expand distribution throughout Europe.
- Win-Win's approach to chocolate production addresses various challenges in the conventional cocoa industry such as environmental impacts, ethical concerns, and supply instability driven by climate change and deforestation.
- The company's vision is to meet growing consumer demand for sustainable, ethical indulgences while transforming the chocolate industry towards more environmentally and socially responsible practices.
- External guidance, including a supportive board and experienced advisors, are valuable resources for Win-Win's founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Ahrum Pak, during challenging moments in entrepreneurship.
- Early investment from Berlin's FoodLabs and Atlantic Labs, led by Christophe Maire, has proven instrumental not only financially but emotionally, offering support during the highs and lows of startup life.
- Win-Win's business model, which focuses on sustainable production and supply-chain resilience through fermentation-based cocoa-free chocolate, could gain popularity in a world increasingly concerned with environmental science and climate-change.
