Collagen in Daily Life and Food Industry

• 40 people in Los Angeles tasted animal-free bone broth last month
  • Made with collagen brewed using special yeast, no animal slaughter
• Collagen = most abundant protein in human body
  • Accounts for 30% of total proteins in any animal body
• Hidden collagen consumption even for vegetarians
  • Found in medicine capsules, facial cream fillers
• Meat contains 0.5-3% collagen content
  • Provides structure to marbled steak (muscle and fat balance)
  • Without collagen: just minced fat and muscle
• Global collagen consumption: minimum 1 million metric tons annually through meat

Current Collagen Production Methods

• Traditional extraction from animal carcasses
  • Boiled in strong acid to yield gelatin
  • Gelatin creates gummy squishiness, Jell-O velvety texture
• Further processing into collagen hydrolysates
  • Millions consume in morning coffee/smoothies
  • Health goals: supple skin, strong bones, wellness

Market Gaps in Alternative Proteins

• Current alternative protein products limitations:
  • Meat/seafood alternatives mostly minced form, lacking whole-cut options
  • Vegan gummies lack proper squishy texture for mainstream appeal
  • No comparable alternatives to collagen powder for daily consumers
  • Millions still consuming livestock-derived collagen

Liven Company Solution

• Founded 3 years ago by speaker
• Mission: produce next-generation animal-free collagen
• Production method:
  • Genetically modified yeast with instructions to produce collagen like animals
  • Feed yeast sugar/glycerol in bioreactors (similar to beer brewing vats)
  • Harvest collagen from fermentation broth for various applications

Founder's Background and Motivation

• Speaker: chemical engineer background
  • Previous work: growing microorganisms to consume toxic chemicals in soil/groundwater
• Personal motivation: seeking clean, nutritious, delicious diet for family
  • Meat-eater husband, 3-year-old daughter
  • Avoided products with mysterious ingredient lists
• Canadian parental policy: 1 year work break when daughter born
  • Used time to create better food ingredients using microbes
• Collagen focus reasons:
  • Easy brewing process identified
  • Health benefits and food functionality potential

Current Progress and Future Vision

• Early formulation testing underway
  • Understanding value for alternative proteins before major fundraising
• Applications starting with bone broth
• Scaling potential without:
  • Raising more cattle
  • Amazon rainforest clearing
  • Animal sacrifice

5-10 Year Market Transformation Vision

• Supermarket transformation predictions:
  • Slaughter-free steaks with perfect marbling around collagen fibers
  • Rich bone broths with velvety gelatin texture
  • Health-focused snacks with collagen peptides engineered to match human body signature
• Consumer benefits: delectable, healthy, sustainable, ethical production
• End of questioning animal vs. non-animal origins