CC052: Nick Cooney of Lever VC // investing in alternative protein startups

Episode details

Interview begins: 5:50 Debrief begins: 39:35 Nick Cooney is the Founder and Managing Director of Lever VC. Lever VC is a new fund focused in alternative animal products, including alternative proteins, meats, and plant-based dairy products. Their portfolio includes some of the biggest brands in alternative animal products, including Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers. Nick Cooney has been heavily involved in the alternative animal product industry over the past fifteen years. Today, he teaches us the three common ways alternative proteins are created, his opinions on the ethical questions relevant to this industry, and the future of alternative meat products. We discuss: - Ad: Finding experienced employees for your new business with Integrity Power Search (4:22) - Nick's initial interest in alternative meat products (6:48) - Three methods to creating alternative meats (8:42) - Industry acceptance of animal product alternatives (12:57) - Consumer want (17:58) - How healthy is alternative protein? (20:46) - Ease of making 'novel species' meats (22:46) - Regulation and moral questions (26:03) - Market balance (29:06) - Taste (30:22) - Future of alternative meat (32:42) - Ad: Connecting investors online through the Omni Valley network (38:08) Learn more about Lever VC: https://www.levervc.com/ Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm – This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies. Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity – This episode is also sponsored by OmniValley. OmniValley is a platform specifically and exclusively designed for investors. It provides transparency and access into entrepreneurial ecosystems – regardless of geography and market size. OmniValley wants to help you make meaningful connections faster. Today OmniValley's platform connects over 600 investors spanning over 200 global ecosystems. Claim your profile: https://omnivalley.co Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds