Givaudan launches Mista – a new innovation platform for the food industry
International flavour and fragrance group Givaudan has launched Mista, a new innovation platform for the food industry that will enable start-ups and established corporations to optimise ideas, products, people and investments.
With an extensive 7,000 square feet (650m2) of space, the Mista Optimisation Center (MOC), located in San Francisco, will provide access to a product development facility, equipment for pasteurisation and fermentation, experts providing market and leadership development strategies, as well as input from world renowned culinary and food scientists.
“Mista, which means ‘tasty morsel’ in Sanskrit, is all about the creation of a new business model focused on product innovation and development for the food industry, with the intention and capabilities to create the future of food,” said Scott May, vice president of innovation at Givaudan and head of Mista, “
From alternative protein, to health and well-being and biotechnology, Mista helps companies develop new ways of thinking, leading to innovative solutions to the constant challenges in the ever-changing food and beverage industry. Mista can also help companies, both large and small, with scale up, distribution, building a team and searching for partners.
“Today’s food systems are so complex, and the challenges so large that no single company can address them alone, and that’s where the concept of Mista really comes to life,” added Scott.
Joining Givaudan as Founding Members of Mista are Danone, Mars Inc. and Ingredion Inc. as well as a number of strategic partners with world class capabilities from across the food industry, creating an integrated innovation platform.
Takoua Debeche, EVP research & innovation at Danone North America said: “To adapt and stay relevant for its current and future consumers, Danone has made growth a priority and is exploring new ways to innovate, alongside with building an agile and creative culture across functions. We are looking forward to collaborating with innovative partners and start-ups to contribute to create the food systems of the future: healthier for the people and better for the planet.”
Mista is one of a number of initiatives being launched by Givaudan aimed at building a more collaborative and inclusive approach to innovation with new types of partners – part of the Partnering for Shared Success pillar of Givaudan’s 2020 strategy of ‘Responsible growth. Shared success.’
