VegTech Invest to launch the world’s first plant-based innovation index
Investment fund VegTech Invest has announced it will be launching the world’s first index devoted to plant-based innovation.
The VegTech Plant-based Innovation & Alternative Proteins Index (EATVI) will include companies of all sizes that are “building a more efficient, cruelty-free and eco-friendly food and materials supply chain through disruptive technologies and innovation” according to VegTech.
The index seeks to serve as a benchmark for the plant-based and alternative protein industries, VegTech says, which are enjoying huge success at the moment.
Investors will be able to fund a selection of companies which VegTech believes is innovating in an environmentally conscious way. Meanwhile the companies themselves will benefit from exposure to a range of investors.
Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech, tells Food Matters Live work on the index has been ongoing for the last 18 months. She predicts the index will help to further plant-based, fermented proteins and cultivated meat innovation.
“It raises awareness about the growth and invest-ability of our Plant-based Innovation & Alternative Proteins sector in the capital markets and acts as a benchmark for the financial industry,” she says. “It also helps make the connection for the financial community between climate change, the environment, and our global food supply system.
“Few working in finance understand this connection and that plant-based innovation and alternative proteins are the real ‘E’ in ESG. As we all know and believe, we won’t sufficiently impact climate change if we don’t address our animal-based food supply system.”
The news of this calculated index comes a year after VegTech launched its first initial non-weighted index, which laid some of the groundwork for the EATVI.
The index also follows VegTech’s ETF launch on the New York Stock Exchange in December last year. Top ten holdings on the ETF currently include Beyond Meat, Vita Coco, Oatly and Ingredion.
“Through all of our VegTech products we are driving capital to the companies innovating with plants and plant-derived ingredients, including alternative proteins, to create meaningful and long-term change, and we are giving those who can’t afford venture investing the opportunity to invest alongside their values for impact,” says Elysabeth.
The VegTech Index is listed on Bloomberg, Morningstar and others. Those interested in licensing the index can contact info@vegtechinvest.com.
