A brand-new plant-based industry event, Veg-Net, has been announced today, set to take place in London in June 2024.

Veg-Net aims to provide a platform for connecting plant-based brands with buyers and industry experts from the UK and across Europe. Mike Hill, co-founder of plant-based pizza company One Planet Pizza, is one of the founders of the new event.

Plant-based organisations such as VegCapital, Kale United, The Vegan Society and Vegan Business Tribe have already supported the event as strategic partners, while participation from brands such as Kale Foods, GreenPro International and Vegan Perfection have been confirmed.

In a statement announcing the launch, the team behind Veg-Net said that reaching and connecting with buyers is among the many challenges faced by start-up food and beverage brands looking to scale.

The event will provide the opportunity for start-ups to connect with buyers across retail, wholesale and foodservice.

Hill commented: “With my experience and knowledge of the plant-based category, combined with my event expertise from the leisure sector, I felt compelled to support the growth of exceptional vegan food brands. We know from surveying plant-based businesses that connecting with the right buyers is the biggest pain point for brands looking to scale. With Veg-Net we’re unlocking new horizons.”

Veg-Net will take place at the Radisson Blu London Stansted Airport. It will grant each brand the opportunity for ten pre-arranged, 20-minute meetings with buyers from both the UK and European retail and foodservice sectors.

It will also include keynote speeches from industry experts as well as ‘clinics’ diving into topics such as investment, production, foodservice and the UK and EU retail markets.

Mathilde Alexandre, from strategic partner ProVeg International, said: “In these dynamic and transformative times, it is paramount to foster events that unite the entire plant-based sector, bringing together brands, buyers, and industry organisations”.

She added: “This event presents a unique opportunity for us all to actively engage, exchange innovative ideas, and collectively learn from one another. Together, we can drive positive change towards a more sustainable and compassionate future.”

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