Better Nature

Better Nature is a UK-based food technology company founded in 2018 by Christopher Kong, Elin Roberts, Driando Ahnan-Winarno, and Fabio Rinaldo. The company was born from the founders' search for a high-quality, natural, plant-based protein source. Kong and Roberts were inspired to adopt a plant-based diet while studying at Oxford University. They later connected with Ahnan-Winarno, an Indonesian native and food scientist conducting his PhD on tempeh fermentation, and Rinaldo, who discovered tempeh while traveling in Indonesia. Ahnan-Winarno's personal history with tempeh, it being his first solid food, and his establishment of the Indonesian Tempe Movement to promote it globally, formed a key part of the company's foundation.

The company specializes in producing tempeh, a traditional Indonesian food made by fermenting whole soybeans, resulting in a firm, high-protein, and high-fiber product. Better Nature's business model focuses on making tempeh a mainstream protein choice for health-conscious consumers and flexitarians, positioning it as a natural, unprocessed alternative to meat and other plant-based products. Revenue is generated through sales in both retail and foodservice channels. Their products are sold in major UK supermarkets like Tesco and Asda, as well as in over 1,300 stores in Germany. The company also supplies foodservice brands such as allplants and Mindful Chef and sells directly to consumers via its website and Amazon.

Better Nature offers a range of tempeh products, including plain organic tempeh, pre-marinated pieces, and products like tempeh mince. A key feature is the product's high protein content, which has been enhanced to be comparable to chicken, alongside being a natural source of fiber and gut-friendly prebiotics. The company is a certified B Corp and donates 1% of its sales to a charity in Indonesia focused on tackling malnutrition.

Keywords: tempeh, plant-based protein, fermented food, foodtech, meat alternative, vegan food, natural food, sustainable protein, flexitarian diet, food and beverage, consumer goods, e-commerce, retail food, gut health, high-fiber food, soy products, Indonesian cuisine, UK startup, B Corp, clean label