As I reflect on NAPIC’s inaugural year, I am proud to share NAPIC’s first annual report — a milestone that reflects both rapid progress and the collective ambition of our growing community. Established to catalyse innovation in the UK’s alternative protein sector, NAPIC has rapidly become a dynamic, commercially minded innovation ecosystem, bringing together startups, SMEs, corporates, researchers, investors and policymakers to accelerate sustainable food system transformation.
In just twelve months, NAPIC has built the foundations of a national movement driving sustainable protein innovation. Our network of partners is expanding weekly, reflecting the sector’s appetite for collaboration and NAPIC’s unique role as a convening force.
We are deeply grateful to our funders, BBSRC and Innovate UK, and our partners, whose vision and support have enabled this ambitious endeavour. NAPIC’s success is powered by the dedication of our community and the outstanding leadership of our four academic Co-Directors. I want to sincerely thank our partners, members, the Research and Innovation Fellows, and the entire NAPIC team for their relentless commitment. Their combined expertise, insight and energy have shaped NAPIC’s success and direction.
Since NAPIC launched in August 2024, the scale of activity across the consortium has been remarkable. This report shares those accomplishments in detail, but here I want to reflect on highlights across our four activity streams.
Address innovation challenges. The launch of the Collaborative Programme Funding (CPF) was the standout achievement of 2025. Designed to tackle sector-wide barriers, this initiative has seeded high-impact projects that unite industry and academia. It exemplifies our mission to drive commercially viable innovation through strategic partnerships.
Create a dynamic national knowledge base. NAPIC is playing a central role in developing a roadmap for a UK National Protein Strategy. By convening expert voices and synthesising evidence, we are helping to define a roadmap for alternative proteins that balances sustainability, nutrition and economic growth.
Prepare a diverse workforce for the future. Building talent pipelines is essential for sector resilience. This year we launched the first in a planned portfolio of short industry training courses, focused on mouthfeel and the perception of food texture, a critical sensory dimension for consumer acceptance. Alongside this, we launched our entrepreneurial training programme, Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Emerging Diets (SEED). Together, these initiatives will equip the next generation of innovators with the skills to lead a revolution in alternative proteins.
Facilitate access to innovation facilities. We are gearing up to map the UK facility and infrastructure landscape to connect existing assets and identify current gaps. This resource will serve the entire ecosystem, enabling NAPIC to support matchmaking and drive deeper collaboration, as well as guide future strategic investments. It is a cornerstone of our vision to make the UK a global hub for alternative protein innovation.
Looking ahead, NAPIC is poised to scale its impact. We remain committed to commercial agility, scientific rigour and collaborative delivery. NAPIC’s foundations are strong, our community is growing, and the possibilities ahead are extraordinary. Together, we are building a better food system, one innovation at a time.
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