Mars & Unreasonable Group Unveil Inaugural Cohort Redefining Food Systems

Last week, Mars, in collaboration with Unreasonable Group, announced the debut cohort of companies poised to transform global food systems. Comprising fifteen purpose-driven, growth-stage ventures, this selection marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of sustainable food solutions.

The selection process for the Unreasonable Food program was meticulous, with a focus on identifying innovators across four key pillars: Shaping the Future of Food, Improving Farmer Livelihood, Transforming Food Supply Chains, and Reimagining Sustainable Packaging.

This diverse cohort is headquartered across five continents and operates in nearly forty countries, showcasing a global effort to address food challenges. Ventures were chosen based on criteria such as problem-solving approach, technological readiness, funding, potential impact, scalability, and alignment with Mars’ sustainability goals.

Daniel Epstein, CEO of Unreasonable Group, expressed enthusiasm for the cohort’s potential impact, noting their commitment to creating a more regenerative, inclusive, and equitable future of food.

The Unreasonable Food program aligns with Mars’ broader sustainability initiatives, including the Mars Net Zero Roadmap, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. Ventures selected for the Year 1 cohort are dedicated to jump-starting emissions reductions and innovating in circular packaging solutions.

Among the selected ventures are Mootral, offering a feed additive that reduces methane emissions from dairy cows by up to 30%, and Xampla, which develops biodegradable plant-based materials. These ventures represent a range of solutions focused on soil health, agricultural emissions reduction, and sustainable protein sources. The entire list of startups includes:

• Mootral
• Sea Forest
• Yard Stick
• Regrow Ag
• LandScan
• Nitricity
• Absolute
• Xampla
• Loliware
• Farmerline
• 80 Acres Farms
• MycoTechnology
• Voyage Foods
• String Bio
• Air Protein

Amanda Davies, Chief R&D, Procurement, and Sustainability Officer for Mars Snacking, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting innovation in food systems, highlighting the potential for these ventures to contribute to Mars’ sustainability goals.

The Year 1 cohort will engage in a comprehensive program, including mentorship, access to resources and networks, and collaboration opportunities with Mars and industry leaders. The program aims to catalyze the growth and impact of these ventures toward building a more sustainable and resilient food system.