Entrepreneur rewards good sustainability ideas

KAI Pacha Foods won a new enterprise competition called Just Imagine If… launched by Henley entrepreneur Paul Lindley and the University of Reading.

Founder Alexander Wankel wins up to £75,000 in research funding and support.

Entrants from around the world submitted ideas to tackle one of the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals, which include ending poverty and hunger, creating gender equality or affordable and clean energy.

Kai Pacha Foods has developed a socially and environmentally responsible brand of plant-based milks from climate-smart Andean grains. Sourcing rare and endangered native quinoa at fair prices, the company seeks to provide a sustainable answer to the booming global demand for plant-based alternatives to dairy in a way that minimises environmental impact, conserves genetic resources and promotes climate resiliency.

Mr Lindley, who founded award-winning baby food company Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Every one of our nine finalists was truly outstanding and I don’t doubt each will go on to turn their ideas into reality. This is not the end of the journey for any of them.”

He is pictured, left, with the finalists and, right, with Mr Wankel.