**United Arab Emirates**: Innovative start-up Farmhood, founded by Selin Arslan, is tackling food waste by transforming surplus produce into vegan protein. With early revenues surpassing €30,000, Farmhood is pioneering sustainable solutions for the food industry and responding to the growing demand for plant-based dietary options.
Innovative start-up climate tech companies are emerging in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signalling a shift towards a more sustainable future in food production. Prominent among these is Farmhood, founded by Selin Arslan, an industrial engineer with a strong commitment to sustainability. Based in the UAE, Farmhood has made it its mission to combat food waste through pioneering technologies that transform surplus agricultural produce into plant-based protein.
Selin Arslan’s journey into the sustainability sector began with a personal experience in her family’s tangerine garden, where significant amounts of produce were left unsold due to low market prices. This experience underscored the pressing need for innovative solutions to address the issues of food waste. Speaking to Vegconomist, Arslan remarked on this pivotal moment: “This experience highlighted the urgent need for technologies that could create value-added products from surplus produce.” This revelation led her to establish Farmhood as a sustainable food-tech start-up in 2021.
Farmhood has successfully developed a pilot production facility and reported early revenues exceeding €30,000. The company focuses on upcycling undervalued produce and by-products from the food sector, developing a patented protein extraction method. This unique process allows Farmhood to create nutritious vegan snacks intended for end consumers while targeting business clients by offering plant-based protein ingredients suitable for a variety of applications, from pharmaceuticals to snacks.
The start-up’s current product offerings include a range of vegan snacks designed for health-conscious consumers. By the culmination of 2025, Farmhood plans to further integrate a plant-based protein ingredient into its products and scale up production to serve business clients. The initial revenue strategy prioritises B2C sales, aiming to connect with urban professionals passionate about sustainability.
Farmhood’s upcycled protein is crafted from food sector by-products, which sets it apart from conventional plant-based proteins. This novel formulation focuses on preserving additional beneficial compounds such as fibres and antioxidants during extraction. The start-up’s innovative approach aligns with global sustainability aims, facilitating a circular economy model while effectively addressing food waste.
Additionally, Farmhood’s utilisation of green technologies plays a crucial role in improving the sustainability of food supply chains. The company employs strategies that not only reduce carbon emissions but also extend the shelf life of its products. To date, Farmhood has reached over 2,000 households and secured engagement with nearly 50 companies, securing placements in various markets and hotels.
As consumer preferences evolve, Farmhood is committed to adapting its product lines accordingly. The start-up consistently tracks market trends, responding to a growing demand for sustainable dietary options. Current market analyses predict that the global plant protein sector will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% through 2028, with the functional food market expected to reach $267.92 billion by 2027. Arslan highlighted the importance of their offering, stating, “Our products are designed to cater to this surging demand by offering high-nutrition vegan snacks.”
By integrating upcycled vegan protein into their offerings, Farmhood not only addresses these market demands but also enhances the sustainability profiles of their retail partners. The company continues to pave the way for innovative solutions that respond to both consumer preferences and regulatory requirements, effectively shaping the future of sustainable food production in the UAE and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.incarabia.com/five-mena-climate-tech-startups-that-make-cities-greener-615657.html – This article highlights climate tech startups in the MENA region, emphasizing their role in creating sustainable solutions, which aligns with Farmhood’s mission to address sustainability challenges.
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/start-ups/2023/10/31/uae-climate-technology-start-ups-lead-mena-and-turkey-region-in-funding/ – This article discusses the growth of climate tech startups in the UAE, which supports the context of innovative startups like Farmhood emerging in the region.
- https://sifted.eu/articles/european-climate-tech-gulf – This article explores European climate tech companies setting up in the Gulf, highlighting the region’s focus on sustainable technologies, similar to Farmhood’s focus on sustainable food production.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article about Farmhood, though it does not provide additional external corroboration.
- https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/plant-based-protein-market – This report provides insights into the plant-based protein market, supporting the claim about the market’s growth and demand for sustainable dietary options.
- https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/functional-food-market-123.html – This market analysis supports the prediction that the functional food market will reach $267.92 billion by 2027, aligning with Farmhood’s market strategy.
- https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/food-waste-reduction-key-meeting-sustainability-goals-2023-06-05/ – This article emphasizes the importance of reducing food waste, a key mission of Farmhood, highlighting the global relevance of their approach.
- https://www.un.org/en/food-waste-reduction – This UN resource underscores the global efforts to reduce food waste, supporting Farmhood’s commitment to sustainability.
- https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2023/09/14/plant-based-protein-market-trends – This article discusses trends in the plant-based protein market, aligning with Farmhood’s focus on upcycled vegan protein products.
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1304449/global-plant-based-protein-market-size/ – This report provides data on the global plant-based protein market size, supporting the claim about its growth and potential.
- https://vegconomist.com/interviews/farmhood-selin-arslan/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent developments and plans for 2025, indicating it is relatively current. However, specific dates or recent events are not extensively detailed.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quote from Selin Arslan appears to be original to this context, as no earlier online references were found. This suggests it might be a first-hand source.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Vegconomist, which is a specialized publication but not as widely recognized as major news outlets like the BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Farmhood’s innovative technologies and market trends are plausible, aligning with global sustainability goals and market analyses. However, specific financial figures and product details could not be independently verified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and includes original quotes, though the source is not a major news outlet. Claims are generally plausible but lack extensive verification of specific details.
