At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top London based Founder operating in the Food Processing space. If you think a Founder is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Benjamina Bollag
Founder & CEO of HigherSteaks
Benjamina is the CEO of London-based food tech start-up Higher Steaks, which she founded in 2017. Previously, Benjamina co-founded a London-based B2B electronics company selling to FTSE500 companies. Benjamina has also worked at Israeli 3D printing company, Stratasys, at the digital marketing division of PepsiCo’s joint venture with Strauss and was the lead developer an ed-tech startup. Benjamina holds a Master of Chemical Engineering from the Imperial College, where she completed a project focusing on the design of a peptide plant, conducting a lab-based research on synthesis and liquid exfoliation of graphitic carbon nitride
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About HigherSteaks, Zestful: HigherSteaks is about providing with that juicy, tender, and delicious meat they love but without harming their health, planet, and animals.
Gary Hirshberg
Founder of Stonyfield Farms
Gary R. Hirshberg, Ph.D., Co-Founded Spiffly, Inc. in 2014. Gary Hirshberg serves as a Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. He serves as an Advisor at Renewable2 Management Company and Renewal2 Investment Fund. Gary Hirshberg co-founded Stonyfield Farm, Inc. (Stonyfield Farm Yogurt) in September 1983 and served as its Chief Executive Officer, since September 1983 until January 2012, President, since 1989. He oversaw Stonyfield’s phenomenal growth, from its infancy as a seven-cow organic farming school to its $330 million in annual sales. In 2001, Stonyfield Farm entered into a partnership with Groupe Danone and in 2005, he was named Managing Director of Stonyfield Europe. He served as Director of the Rural Education Center at Stonyfield. Gary Hirshberg was a Managing Director at Stonyfield Europe. Previously, he served as an Executive Director at The New Alchemy Institute. He has extensive experience as an environmental activist, including terms as the Founding President of the Cape and Island Self Reliance Corporation and as the Founding President of the Cape Cod Environmental Alliance. Prior positions include serving as a Water-Pumping Windmill Specialist and an Environmental Education Director at the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Gary Hirshberg served as an Advisor at Renewal Partners LLC, Solera Capital, the Heinz Center Leadership Summit and the Corporate Ecoforum. Gary Hirshberg is Co-Founder and Chairman of O’Naturals. He served as the Chairman of Stonyfield Farm, Inc. He served as the Chairman of The Social Venture Network. Gary Hirshberg serves on several corporate and non-profit Boards including Applegate Farms, the Dannon Company, Honest Tea, Peak Organic Brewing Company, The Full Yield, Climate Counts, Stonyfield Europe, Ltd, Glenisk, Ltd, Solera Capital and Sambazon. He serves as Member of Advisory Board at Spiffly, Inc. He has been a Director at Blue Apron, Inc. and since February 27, 2017 Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. since October 2016. Gary Hirshberg serves as Director of Sweetgreen, Inc., Danone Communities and Quantum Designs, LLC. He serves as a Director of Ramp Sports LLC and The Full Yield, Inc. He served as a Director of Stonyfield Farm, Inc. Gary Hirshberg served as a Director of Monogram Energy, Inc. since June 1995. He served as a Trustee of Leadership New Hampshire, Inc. He serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of Simon Equity, LLC. He serves as Member of Social Advisory Board at Commons Capital Management LLC. Gary Hirshberg served as a Director of the New Hampshire Audobon Society and the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod. Gary Hirshberg is the Author of the book Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World. He is a frequent speaker on topics including sustainability, climate change, the profitability of green and socially responsible business, organic agriculture and sustainable economic development. Gary Hirshberg has won numerous awards for corporate and environmental leadership, including Global Green USA’s “1999 Green Cross Millennium Award for Corporate Environmental Leadership.” He was named “Business Leader of the Year” by Business NH Magazine and “New Hampshire’s 1998 Small Business Person of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration. More recently, 2009 was a year of big wins as Gary Hirshberg was named one of “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs” by Business Week magazine, Stonyfield was chosen “Business of the Year – Manufacturing” by Business NH magazine and Stonyfield won an EPA Clean Air Excellence award. He also is featured in 2009’s most successful documentary, “Food, Inc.” Gary Hirshberg served on the Advisory Panel for Newsweek magazine’s Global Environmental Leadership Conference. He has received eight honorary doctorates and was named a Gordon Grand Fellow at Yale University. Gary Hirshberg holds an honorary Doctor of Science from New Hampshire College, an Honorary Doctor of Law from Notre Dame College in Manchester, New Hampshire and a B.A. from Hampshire College.
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About Stonyfield Farms: Stonyfield farm is devoted to using only organic fruit in the yogurt they make.
Timo Boldt
Founder and CEO of Gousto
Timo is the co-founder and CEO of Gousto, which he started in 2012 as an easier way for families to cook and share good food together.A few years – and a LOT of recipe boxes – later, and it’s pretty clear that he was onto something… Timo’s interests include gender equality, sustainability, technology and food (of course!).
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About Gousto: Gousto is an online meal-kit manufacturer and retailer, using AI and automation to provide extensive choice and personalisation.
Giles Humphries
Founder, CMO of Mindful Chef
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About Mindful Chef: Mindful Chef delivers all the fresh ingredients you need to create delicious, heathy meals.
Robert Grieg-Gran
Founder of Mindful Chef
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About Mindful Chef: Mindful Chef delivers all the fresh ingredients you need to create delicious, heathy meals.
Myles Hopper
Founder, Director of Mindful Chef
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About Mindful Chef: Mindful Chef delivers all the fresh ingredients you need to create delicious, heathy meals.
Oli Ashness
Founder of SimplyCook
Oli Ashness is the Founder at SimplyCook.
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About SimplyCook: SimplyCook offers home recipe kits with easy step-by-step guides to cook restaurant-quality food in less than 20 minutes.
Renée Elliott
Founder of Planet Organic
American-born Renée Elliott is an organic pioneer and passionate entrepreneur. In 1995, she founded Planet Organic, the UK’s first organic supermarket. With her mission to promote health in the community, Renée set out to change food culture. She challenged conventional retailing and proved that values-led, commercially-driven business is good business. For charitable work, Renée served as a Trustee of the Soil Association from 1999-2014, fighting genetically modified organisms and raising awareness about organic food. She is now on the Soil Association’s Catering Mark Standards Committee, promoting healthier menus in schools, universities, hospitals, care homes and caterers. A health and well-being expert, Renée has written three recipe books, ‘Top 100 Healthy Recipes for Babies & Toddlers,’ ‘Me, You & the Kids, Too’ and, recently, ‘What to Eat and How to Eat it’. She works part-time at Planet Organic, frequently lectures to budding entrepreneurs and is a full-on mother to her three children. In May, Renée and her partner, Sam Wigan, launched Beluga Bean, an in-person and on-line business and life skills academy. Courses include Launch, taking entrepreneurs from new or existing business to launch or re-launch and Nourish, baking and cooking for health. In everything that she does, Renée challenges convention to improve life.
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About Planet Organic: Planet Organic is a natural products retailer company.
Courtney Boyd Myers
Co-Founder and CEO of AKUA
Courtney Boyd Myers is the Director of Audience Development for General Assembly focused on fortifying the future of technology through education. Courtney was previously responsible for launching a European company in New York City as the East Coast Editor of The Next Web. In her role at TNW, Courtney covered New York City startups focusing on media, health, education and new economies. She started her career writing about robots for Forbes Magazine.
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About AKUA: Akua specializes in creating plant-based cuisine from ocean-farmed kelp.
Karen Scofield
CEO and Co-Founder of OCEANIUM
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About OCEANIUM: Oceanium develops innovative, all-natural products from sustainably-sourced seaweed.
Sakiko Reuterskiold
Founder of Nomosu
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About Nomosu, tripd.in: Nomosu is manufacturer of rusks and biscuits.
Graeme Hossie
Founder & Co-CEO of Mr Lee’s Pure Foods Co
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About Mr Lee’s Pure Foods Co: Mr Lee’s Pure Foods Co is a real game changer for premium food-on-the-go.
Tim Chambers
Co-Founder & Director of InspiraFarms
Tim Chambers is the Co-Founder and Director at InspiraFarms.
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About Carbon13, InspiraFarms, Offgrid Finance, Value for Women: InspiraFarms™ supplies modular, FOOD-SAFE certification ready modular processing and cold storage technology.
Gem Misa
CEO & Co-Founder of Fullgreen
Gem Misa joined FULLGREEN as CEO & Co-Founder in 2013.Gem Misa is an incredible entrepreneur – she quit her high profile job, because the sparkle had gone and she decided to set up her own business. She was a total foodie and so decided that she wanted her business to be about food. At first she came up with an idea that didn’t work out and then instead of giving up she came up with another idea: to create natural, organic salad dressings! In her second year of trading she managed to get her salad dressings stocked in supermarkets nationwide. She started her business from home and around the same time she started it she also had a baby! What she has achieved is amazing and so I chatted with her to find out how she’s managed to do it. Gem is going to be joining us at The Sisterhood event on the 20th September 2012 and sharing more insights with us – including telling us all exactly how she got supermarkets to stock her product and how she managed to get crowdfunding. It’s going to be an amazing event and I would love you to join us. To find out more and to book on go here. Enjoy the video, Gem really is amazing and her story goes to show what’s possible.
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About Fullgreen, Righteous: Plant-based eating made easy w Fullgreen’s Veggie Rice, Risottos & Breakfasts. Shelf-Stable & Non-GMO.
Kim Antoniou
Founder of Kafoodle
Kim Antoniou In 2013 Kim’s husband of 30 years, Ron, nearly died in a restaurant after being given the wrong nutritional information by the waiting staff. He is a severe allergy sufferer. This event galvanized Kim to use her experience gained developing major online and mobile software solutions for the construction industry, and use it to make a difference to food safety. Kim is personally dedicated to enabling anyone to eat with confidence.
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About Auris Tech Limited, Kafoodle: Award-winning B2B SaaS company in foodtech on a mission to improve health by connecting people with the food they need.
Tarryn Gorre
Founder of Kafoodle
Tarryn grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, where her Mum was a Cordon Bleau trained chef. This ignited a passion in the hospitality industry that has not been dampened since. Tarryn has been involved in businesses big and small, often brought in to increase efficiency and create value. As a result, she knows more than anyone the impact that technology can have on streamlining processes and simplifying tasks.
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About Kafoodle, Kafoodle: Award-winning B2B SaaS company in foodtech on a mission to improve health by connecting people with the food they need.
Nivi Jasa
Founder & Director of I AM NUT OK
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About I AM NUT OK: I AM NUT OK develops vegan-friendly alternatives to dairy food.
Andrew Sherick
Founder/Director of SSH Shakes
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About SSH Shakes: SSH Shakes is a luxury milkshake inventor and manufacturer.
Natali Stajcic
Founder of The Pressery
Natali Stajcic is Founder at The Pressery.
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About The Pressery: The Pressery will be launching a high-quality and pure, long-life almond milk for all your coffee shop needs.
Luke Johnstone
Founder of PACK’D
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About PACK’D, The Prince’s Trust: PACK’D is a food and beverage company.
Alex Stewart
Co-Founder of PACK’D
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About PACK’D: PACK’D is a food and beverage company.
Ben Goldsmith
Founder of Weedingtech
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About Weedingtech: Weedingtech is a British company that designs and manufactures innovative weed control technologies for the amenity and utility markets.
Ben Goldsmith
Founder of Weedingtech
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About Weedingtech: Weedingtech is a British company that designs and manufactures innovative weed control technologies for the amenity and utility markets.
Pippa Murray
Founder of Pip&Nut
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About Pip&Nut: Pip & Nut Makers of delicious all-natural nut butter.
Shelly Nuruzzaman
Co Founder of Bang Curry
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About Bang Curry: Bang Curry is an authentic curry kit company with a focus on easy cooking.
Mark Johnson
Co-Founder of Bang Curry
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About Bang Curry: Bang Curry is an authentic curry kit company with a focus on easy cooking.
Rui Yan Lee
Co-Founder of BioKind
Ryan holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Particle Technology at Imperial College London. Ryan has previously founded a Medtech startup which was a finalist of the Institute of Chemical Biology’s Dragon’s Den 2017 and semi-finalist of the Imperial College Enterprise Lab Venture Catalyst Challenge 2017 ranked 8th over 300+ teams.
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About BioKind: BioKind protein is a natural, sustainable and traceable feed ingredient for aquaculture, livestock and pets.
Meg Haggar
Founder and Director of Raw Halo
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About Raw Halo: Raw Halo is an award-winning raw chocolate brand.
John Burke
Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Craft Clubs
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About Craft Clubs: Craft Clubs offers quality food and drink brands a powerful new way to reach consumers, both in their homes and online.
Jon Hulme
Co-Founder and CEO of Craft Clubs
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About Craft Clubs: Craft Clubs offers quality food and drink brands a powerful new way to reach consumers, both in their homes and online.
Charlie Thuillier
Founder and Managing Director of Oppo Ice Cream
Charlie Thuillier is the Founder & Managing Director at Oppo Brothers.
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About Oppo Ice Cream: Oppo Ice Cream provides a wide range of ice creams such as madagascan vanilla, mint choc swirl, and salted caramel.
Faisal Haque
Co-Founder of Wrap It Up
Faisal Haque is Co-Founder at Wrap It Up.
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About Wrap It Up: Established in 2006 and operating in the growing healthy fast food market.
Lucy Mackenzie
Founder of Lucy’s Dressings
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About Lucy’s Dressings: Award winning dressings inspired in Lucy’s family kitchen in Suffolk, using her own unique recipes.
Edward Smith
Co-Founder of Doisy & Dam
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About Doisy & Dam: Doisy & Dam makes and package everything by hand in the UK, using globally sourced ingredients and the highest quality organic chocolate.
Olly Hiscocks
Director & Founder of Olly’s Olives
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About Olly’s Olives: Olly’s Olives is the world’s first 100% natural, unpasteurised snack pouch of olives with no artificial additives.
Marco Sargiani
Founder of Gourmio
During more than 20 years of business experience I have had the opportunity to explore many areas of feed/food business that permit me to have a wide vision about markets of raw material, production processes, supply chain, customer service, marketing and rules. I am open to approach new experience by providing dynamicity, moral integrity and leadership that characterize my personality suited to create relationships in the team. Specializzazioni: •Change Management, Purchasing Strategy, Purchase Management, Quality Management, Quality Assurance, Operations Management, Operational Excellence, Supply Chain Management, English, Customer Relations, Public Relations, Team Leadership, Organizing, Problem Solving, Strategic Planning, Logistics, Contract Negotiation, Business Intelligence, Business Management, Business Planning https://uk.linkedin.com/in/marcosargiani
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About Gourmio: Cook the food of Italy. Italian recipes and authentic ingredients delivered to your home.
Mark Prove
Founder of Salad Days
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About Salad Days: Wholesome Healthy Food Delivered Straight to your Office.
Andrew Swiney
Founder of Salad Days
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About Salad Days: Wholesome Healthy Food Delivered Straight to your Office.
Dotun Olusi
Founder of Miss Cola
Founder at Miss Cola
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About Miss Cola: Miss Cola is a company that produces lightly carbonated soft drinks.
Olivia Wollenberg
Founder and CEO of Livia’s
Olivia Wollenberg is the founder and CEO at Livia’s.
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About Livia’s: Livia’s specialises in creating “better for you” sweet treats.
Emily Wong
Founder of Emily Crisps
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About Emily Crisps: Emily Crisps is a food start-up that aim to provide health-conscious consumers with the opportunity to indulge in ‘guilt-free’ snacking.
James Mansfield
Founder of field&flower
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About field&flower: A UK-based company that delivers grass fed, free range meat boxes.
Chris Barnes
Co-Founder of Black Bee Honey
Chris Barnes is the co-founder of Black Bee Honey.
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About Black Bee Honey: Black Bee Honey is a british honey brand.
Chris Barnes
Co-Founder of Black Bee Honey
Chris Barnes is the co-founder of Black Bee Honey.
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About Black Bee Honey: Black Bee Honey is a british honey brand.
Raissa de Haas
Co-Founder of Double Dutch Drinks
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About Double Dutch Drinks: Double Dutch offers a range of two premium soft drink mixers that are specifically developed to enhance the flavours of gins and vodkas.
Chika Russell
Founder of Chikas
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About Chikas: Chika’s brings you the exotic flavours and taste sensations from West Africa.
Roberto Lucci
Founder of The Extra Dish
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About The Extra Dish: The Extra Dish is the online marketplace for talented home cooks.
Kate Wolfenden
Founder of The Extra Dish
Founder at The Extra Dish
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About The Extra Dish: The Extra Dish is the online marketplace for talented home cooks.