In an effort to spotlight plant-based food innovation, Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, a vegan investor, recently hosted a nine-course tasting dinner in New York.





Forbes. “I think it’s undeniable now that doing without animal products in general is a very good choice for the environment, for the economy, for the quality of life. I think what the biggest change is and we’re celebrating it here, is that there’s a meeting between brilliant financial minds and creative minds and entrepreneurs and these vegan ideas,” he explains to





As consumers become more aware of the mistreatment of farmed animals and the widespread environmental destruction caused by the meat industry, they are demanding change. So the vast entrepreneurial prospects presented by the market for humane plant-based foods should come as no surprise.





“We’re at a juncture where you don’t need to be vegan to want to invest in vegan ventures. They make so much sense. You want to be there before anybody else,” says Castiglioni.





This is evidenced by the fact that Castiglioni and billionaires like Bill Gates and Li Ka-shing are taking an interest in veg companies; in fact, Ka-shing awarded $23 million to Hampton Creek and took part in a $75 million investment in Impossible Foods. Castiglioni himself has invested in several vegan ventures, including Beyond Meat and Lighter





As the popularity of meat wanes, more and more delicious animal-free options are hitting store shelves all the time. But with the amazing variety of products already on the market, there’s never been a better time to ditch meat.



