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Coop Partners with Food Start-Ups to Develop Sustainable Products

Swiss retail giant Coop is advancing its commitment to sustainability by collaborating with innovative food start-ups to create more environmentally friendly products. This initiative was announced on November 14, 2025, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the open innovation platform Kickstart.

Focus on Lab-Grown Cocoa and Mushroom-Based Meat Alternatives

Coop is currently working with two start-ups:

• Kokomodo, an Israeli company specializing in lab-grown cocoa, is helping Coop explore chocolate production methods that significantly reduce the environmental impact compared to traditional cocoa farming.
• Pacifico Biolabs, based in Germany, is partnering with Coop to develop mushroom-based meat alternatives, which require fewer resources and offer a sustainable protein source.

These collaborations aim to diversify sustainable food options available to consumers while reducing the ecological footprint of such products.

Kickstart Innovation Platform Fuels Industry Collaboration

Kickstart Innovation, the platform facilitating this partnership, has been instrumental in bridging start-ups and established companies since 2015. It has enabled over 400 innovation deals, channeling more than 3.1 billion CHF into financing young companies. Coop has a history of leveraging Kickstart, notably in launching its cooperation with Planted, a meat substitute manufacturer.

Strategic Impact on Sustainable Retail

By investing in cutting-edge food technologies, Coop reinforces its leadership in the sustainable retail sector. Developing lab-grown cocoa and mushroom-based alternatives could significantly reduce emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with conventional food production.

Sources: SDA Press Release, Keystone-SDA, Swisscom blue News (14.11.2025)

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