Sophie's Kitchen, a California-based company, has emerged the grand prize winner of The Liveability Challenge (TLC) 2019 with its compact solution to produce a new alternative plant-based protein in urban environments. The company was awarded up to S$1 million by Temasek Foundation to launch a pilot in Singapore and scale up its solution in Asia, beating more than 300 applicants from over 50 countries.

Addressing urban liveability and sustainability challenges of the 21st century, TLC is a global platform that hunts for and accelerates the launch of game-changing solutions. The star in the proposal of Sophie’s Kitchen is a plant-based protein made with microalgae that is fermented using byproducts from food manufacturing. The protein can be harvested within just three days. Compared to beef, which requires 141 hectares of land to produce a tonne of protein, Sophie’s Kitchen only requires 0.02 hectares — using much less water as well and with a far smaller carbon footprint.

Eugene Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Sophie’s Kitchen, said, “The Liveability Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for mission-driven entrepreneurs to showcase their technology and get connected to the world. Food is essential to every economy and we are eager to start work on our innovative solution for sustainable food production which can also contribute to the circular economy by using food waste.”

One of the six judges at the event, Mr Lim Hock Chuan, Chief Executive from Temasek Foundation Ecosperity, said: “Temasek Foundation is happy that Sophie’s Kitchen emerged as the winner of The Liveability Challenge 2019. They are proposing to produce plant-based protein through the fermentation of microalgae that can replace proteins from meat. Besides high-value nutrition, they are able to lower and make the price point competitive, which can benefit many more people. We look forward to seeing them break through in the commercial space soon.”

The 2019 edition of TLC is presented by Temasek Foundation, organised by Eco-Business and sister non-profit EB Impact in partnership with Ecosperity Week 2019, together with the support of 35 global partners.

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About Temasek Foundation

Temasek Foundation delivers a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and advance communities in Singapore and beyond. These are made possible through 19 non-profit philanthropic endowments, gifted by Temasek and managed by the Temasek Foundation under its respective mandates. For more information, visit Temasek Foundation.

About Ecosperity Week

Ecosperity Week is a confluence of events gathering global business leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and academia to drive action on sustainable development. The week-long programme features an innovation showcase, conferences, roundtable discussions, pitch sessions, site visits and networking opportunities across events. Ecosperity Week 2019 takes place from 4 to 7 June 2019 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands Singapore.