NutraIngredients 2021 Start-up Award winner KÄÄPÄ Biotech: ‘Our passion led to the win!’

Founded in 2018 in Finland to research, develop and commercialise mycological solutions. The startup has grown to become the largest medicinal mushroom grower in the EU.

The firm has made a commitment to lead the change within the medicinal mushroom industry towards more responsible, sustainable, transparent and honest practices.

NutraIngredients spoke to KÄÄPÄ Biotech’s current CEO Eric Puro on life after scooping last year’s Start-up Award.

Great to talk to you Eric. Firstly, what made you decide to compete for the Start-up Award?​

“NutraIngredients Awards is a respected competition in the nutraceutical industry. ​

“As a young biotechnology start-up company, KÄÄPÄ Biotech applied for the Start-up Award 2021 to introduce to the market our unique business model, guided by sustainable and responsible practices, 100% transparent supply chain and our industry-leading extraction technology. ​

“In everything we do, we are committed to improving the well-being of the people and the environment”. ​

What difference did the Award make for your company and its business/research activity in 2021?​

“This recognition for our several year's hard work has brought a lot of positive attention to our business. ​

“Our various stakeholders appreciate the award, so it brings credibility and good reputation as well as increased customer interest in our product selection.” ​

Do you think the win has opened up more opportunities to KÄÄPÄ Biotech and the business’ growth and development?​

“We see winning the NutraIngredients Start-up Award as an important milestone in our journey. We have experienced rapid growth in the past few years, but this is just the beginning. ​

“Our goal is to change the mushroom product industry by example towards more responsible, sustainable and transparent practices. ​

“We believe that these aspects define the future success of companies within this industry. ​

“We are currently raising series A investment to scale up our production capacity to match the increasing demand for our products. ​

“The NutraIngredients Start-up Award validates our business model: it  helps us to create investor interest and create strong investor relations.”  ​

Would you say the award win served as a stepping stone or trigger towards exploring new areas of research or business development?​

“KÄÄPÄ Biotech is a research and innovation focused biotech company. ​

“Medicinal mushrooms are one of the strongest growing natural ingredient categories today, and this trend is expected to accelerate. ​

“This award illustrates the untapped potential of mushroom biotechnology. We will continue working on innovation, research and development to bring the best mushroom products to the market.” ​

Finally, do you have any advice for future Start-up Award applicants?​

“We feel that our passion for what we do has led to winning this award. ​

“We are operating in a market that is booming and developing products for the most sought-after health benefits: immunity, sleep, energy and brain health. ​

“Our commitment to creating health and well-being for people and the environment guides our every decision and business practice - responsibility is a core value for us which leads to success. ​

“Our advice for other startup companies is to create a business model that creates economical but also environmental and social value as that is the future.” ​

Entries are open now​​ and the closing date for entries is Monday 24 January 2022​​ at 23:55 CET​.​ ​

Entry to the awards will be set at a fee of €175 (£150 per entry)​ except for the NutraChampion​​ Award, which is a free category.

Please see the NutraIngredients Awards​​ website​​​​​​ for further details on how to submit your entry.

Please note that most categories require a European-based element (commercially available in Europe or impact in Europe, based in Europe, etc) in order to be entered for this year’s Awards.