2019 Seeds of Change
Mars Foods Corporate Accelerator

We aim to make a wide ranging, far reaching and long lasting global impact on agrifood systems

In 2019, Mars Food Australia ran the Seeds of Change Accelerator Program in partnership with Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) and Food Futures Company.

Six start-ups were chosen for an intensive four months from more than 224 applicants: Spiralz Fermented Foods; The Australian Superfood Co; Edible Bug Shop; Human Connection Project: Fable; and Grounded.

The intensive program included mentoring, market analysis, branding work, product and strategy development and financial investment of $40,000 in their businesses. Its goal was to fast-track the start-ups’ growth, help build skills to develop innovative products and access new markets.

“The Mars Accelerator has completely changed the path of our lives. Up until the program, we were just doing the vegan cheese thing as a bit of a side hustle. It was amazing having a whole team of mentors and advisors purely focussed on making us a success, and we really needed knowledgeable people who could steer us in the right direction".

Veronica Fil, Grounded

Meet the cohort

Meet the teams who took part in the seeds for change accelerator

SPIRALZ FERMENTED FOODS

Michelle Amor is the founder of Spiralz Fermented Foods and is passionate about clean, raw fermented foods. Spiralz Fermented Foods are premium raw, organic fermented vegetables and tonics that are authentic, gluten free, dairy free and full of beneficial bacteria for strong gut health and microbiome.

GROUNDED FOODS

Veronica Fil, a behavioural economist and partner Shaun Quade, a world-renowned chef, are the duo behind Grounded who produce plant-based cheeses that look, taste and feel just like the real thing. The impressive product is made from cauliflower and hemp seeds.

CIRCLE HARVEST

Established in 2007 by Skye Blackburn, an Entomologist and Food scientist with a passion for sustainable food practices, Edible Bug Shop was Australia's first farmer of edible insects and is a world leader in Edible Insect farming techniques.

THE HUMAN CONNECTION PROJECT

The Human Connection Project was founded by Matt Boyce who developed an initiative that empowers people to engage, create and lead through human connection.

THE AUSTRALIAN SUPERFOOD CO

Since its launch in 2015, The Australian Superfood Co has become the preferred supplier of native produce to food and beverage manufacturers, cosmetic and nutraceutical manufacturers, high end restaurants, airlines and hotels in Australia and overseas.

FABLE FOOD CO

Fable is a delicious plant-based alternative to slow cooked braised beef. Fable is co-founded by a chef/mushroom scientist, a mushroom farmer and a passionate vegetarian.

Have you got questions?

Office hours is an opportunity for you to book in a 20 minute session with one of the team to talk through any questions you have about the program.

BOOK SESSION

2019 Seeds of Change Mars Foods Corporate Accelerator