MODIIN, Israel – After concluding a highly successful first year, the Modern Agriculture Foundation (MAF) announces that it has begun accepting applications for the second cohort of its Better Plate alternative protein track within MassChallenge Israel’s 2023 Accelerator program. 

In addition to connecting startups with top experts and industry leaders, the accelerator aims to introduce companies to relevant technologies that can overcome hurdles within their innovations. An Israeli non-profit dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and innovation within the alternative protein industry in Israel and globally, MAF launched Better Plate last year to fill a glaring vacuum in the ecosystem. 

While Israel ranks second only to the United States in terms of investment in the alternative protein sector, well-established companies in more advanced stages are the overwhelming beneficiaries of funding, leaving little left over for young companies just starting out. Until Better Plate’s 2022 debut, no local accelerators catered to the unique needs of alternative protein companies. 

“Better Plate does not merely fill an acute need. It excels at doing so,” said MAF CEO Levana Shifman. “The tremendously successful outcome of last year’s accelerator clearly demonstrated the program’s ability to assist early-stage businesses as they grow from the ground up, providing them with high quality mentors and expert guidance.” 

Two out of the five Better Plate cohorts were among ten startups invited to MCIL’s roadshow to Boston and New York, an outsized accomplishment among a pool of 42 startups from all fields. 

“Supporting young, pioneering companies as they develop into accomplished gamechangers is in MAF’s DNA. Not only is MAF the world’s first non-profit dedicated to promoting the interests of the alternative protein industry, but in 2017, it hosted the world’s first known cultivated meat conference,” said Shifman. 

“By partnering with MassChallenge, which brings many years of experience running top-notch accelerators, we ensure brilliant innovators tackling major global challenges such as food security, the climate crisis and supply chain issues, receive the best business resources and knowhow they need to thrive.” ”MAF’s enriching and inspiring program in the MassChallenge Israel Accelerator is an invaluable asset for early-stage alternative protein companies, providing insight on creating effective pitch decks, finding strategic partners and significant investors, getting a PoC with a corporate, navigating the regulatory maze, going to market internationally, and more,” said Shalom Daniel, co-founder, and CEO of Mush Foods, one of the track’s outstanding 2022 cohorts. 

“Thanks to Better Plate, we got to know supertalented foodtech entrepreneurs, which was great for cross-fertilization and networking,” recounted Maya Sapir-Mir and Raya Liberman Aloni, cofounders of PoLoPo, one of the 2022 accelerator finalists. “It was clear the sessions were custom-made for us.” Early-stage Israeli startups seeking to disrupt the alternative protein industry with plant-based, fermentation, cultured meat, or other sustainable food innovations are encouraged to submit their initial application here. Use the code MCIL23MAF100 to waive the registration fee.