AltProteins 25 moved beyond exploring what’s next, focusing instead on what’s truly necessary for the future of food.
This year, we united innovators from food, policy, and technology across the Asia–Pacific region — led by global and local speakers — to engage deeply with the challenges facing the future food sector, collaborate on shared solutions, and leave with clearer pathways to implement these solutions within their organisations.
The AltProteins 25 conference ignited meaningful collaboration and drove actionable change. The 2025 program delivered a new level of ambition and refinement, bringing together bold thinkers and doers who weren’t afraid to ask hard questions and pursue transformative answers.
Attendees experienced a full day of insights, networking, and hands-on activations — including exclusive taste tests of more than 40 delicious alternative protein products.
2025 speakers
Hear from the visionaries who are redefining the future of our food systems.
Nik Gowing
Nik founded the ongoing Thinking the Unthinkable project in 2014. It examines both the vulnerabilities and opportunities for leaders in the new times of acute disruption. Nik was a main presenter for BBC World News 1996-2014. He presented The Hub with Nik Gowing, BBC World Debates, Dateline London. During 18 years at ITN Nik was bureau chief in Rome and Warsaw, then Diplomatic Editor for Channel Four News (1988-1996). He was on the councils of Chatham House (1998–2004), the Royal United Services Institute (2005–2021), the Overseas Development Institute (2007-2014), the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (1996-2005). Nik was been a Visiting Professor at Kings College, London and Nanyang University (NTU), Singapore. In 2018 he advised the President of the UN General Assembly on leadership challenges.Cecilia Chang
Cecilia Chang is the CEO of Mission Barns, a leading cultivated fat company based out of San Francisco. Prior to this, Cecilia was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company working across a range of industries including telecommunications, banking and mining. Her passion for working to create a more sustainable food system, led her to consult for various alternative-protein companies (plant-based, precision fermentation, cultivated etc.) before joining Mission Barns.Dr James Petrie
Dr James Petrie is an experienced crop metabolic engineer who spent 13 years working at CSIRO as a research scientist as part of the oils engineering group before co-founding Nourish Ingredients. During his time at CSIRO, Dr Petrie was part of the team that spearheaded the creation of omega-3 canola, the world’s first plant-based and sustainable source of long-chain omega-3 fats usually found in fish oil. As Chief Executive of Nourish, Dr Petrie is turning his expertise in synthetic biology to the plant-based meat and dairy space. He is passionate about making animal-free fats and oils for the next generation of tastier alternative proteins–the foods of the future that our planet depends on.Amy Carter-James
Amy Carter-James is a pioneering impact entrepreneur dedicated to driving pro-planet solutions and creating meaningful change. At 22, she developed a hotel in Mozambique that lifted over 60,000 people out of poverty, earning a spot among the top 100 hotels in the world and being named the UK’s Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO of Raaise, Amy is tackling one of the biggest barriers holding back climate and pro-planet innovation: access to capital. Raaise is building the fundraising infrastructure for pro-planet startups — helping founders connect with aligned investors, streamline their raise, and scale faster. With 500+ pro-planet startups already using the platform and partnerships with leading funds, accelerators, and investor groups, Amy is on a mission to ensure critical solutions don’t stall for lack of funding.Sonalie Figueiras
Social entrepreneur and trends forecaster Sonalie Figueiras is a sustainability expert, food futurist and eco-powerhouse who has been inspiring global audiences for more than a decade with practical steps on how to fight climate change. Known as the Green Queen of Asia, she is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning Green Queen—the region’s first impact media platform that educates millions of readers on the connection between health, sustainability and the environment and showcases future solutions. Sonalie has been recognised as 2021 Women of Power, 2019 GEN T Honoree, V Label Global Hero and has twice been a TEDx Speaker. She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of organic sourcing platform Ekowarehouse and climate tech SaaS Source Green, which helps consumer brands quit plastic packaging thanks to proprietary plastic reduction software. In addition, Sonalie is a global keynote speaker and an advisor to multiple mission-driven start-ups and NGOs, and a venture partner to several VC funds.Prof Hugh Durrant-Whyte
Hugh Durrant-Whyte is the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer. He has been the Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Ministry of Defence, CEO of National ICT Australia, and the Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems. Hugh is an ARC Federation Fellow and the founding Director of the Australian Centre for Field Robotics at the University of Sydney. Hugh is an honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia, a Fellow of the IEEE, of the Australian Academy of Science, of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and of the Royal Society of London.
Dr Jaclyn Aldenhoven
Dr Jaclyn Aldenhoven is the Director, Strategy and Programs (Future Industries) in the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer. Jaclyn has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a PhD in Animal Genetics from the University of Sydney. Following postdoctoral research at the University of Utah, she joined the NSW Government. Jaclyn has over 14 years’ experience in developing science policy, implementing science programs to drive economic and industry development, and providing high level advice to Ministers, agencies and other stakeholders. Jaclyn currently leads innovation-based programs to drive research, economic and industry development, such as the Biosciences Fund.Dr Rohan Nelson
Dr Rohan Nelson is an Agricultural & Food System Economist with CSIRO. Rohan also leads Food System Horizons–a joint initiative of the University of Queensland and CSIRO–bringing significant expertise in science-policy engagement to this role. His other expertise includes the institutional design and management of public sector innovation and forecasting systems, and deep knowledge of competition, climate and natural resource management policy.Lead sponsor
Investment NSW drives economic growth and prosperity for the people of NSW by bringing together business, government and priority markets to deliver on the government’s strategic priorities and boost the state’s innovation, industry, investment and trade.
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Tier two
CSIRO solves the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology to build profitable, productive, trusted, and sustainable agrifood and fibre sectors for the future. We are working with industry and research partners to produce more protein, more sustainably, from more sources into the future. Working with CSIRO provides access to world class multidisciplinary science, technology and facilities, relevant IP and global networks.
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Eden Brew is on a mission to put earth-friendly, animal-free dairy at the forefront of food security. Eden Brew uses sustainable brewing called precision fermentation that programs yeast to produce nature-identical dairy protein. Developing the world-first recombinant 4-protein micelle that gives cow-free dairy the same creamy sensory experience as traditional dairy, Eden Brew is at the vanguard of becoming a household brand name with environmentally conscious ice cream, milk and more delivered brew to belly.
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GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Our portfolio includes machinery and plants as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, our more than 18,000 dedicated employees work to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production processes globally.
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La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture & Food (LISAF)’s goal is to find solutions that enable sustainable agriculture that will provide food of the quality and quantity to meet global food challenges in coming decades. La Trobe’s visionary investment in the $288M world-class AgriBio building has cemented its reputation in agriculture and food biosciences. Moreover, La Trobe’s $5B University City of the Future initiative is ensuring further investment in unique infrastructure and capability that will build critical for the future of Australia’s agriculture and food sector.
Our ‘Gut to Paddock’ program runs across several overlapping domains of (1) Food for Nutrition & Health, (2) Agri-Food Business & Policy, (3) Fit for Purpose Seeds, (4) Protected Cropping, (5) Digital Agriculture & AI, and (6) Farming Systems, Soils and Agronomy with the aim to streamline the development, growing and testing of desirable traits in grains (cereals and legumes) to produce sustainable food, generate enduring profitability for growers and deliver real benefits for the community and economy.
We have established partnerships with world renowned researchers, growers, health and nutrition specialists, and leading national and international food producers to enable the research underpinning production that is higher yielding and more nutritious, and innovations in food production to work across all elements of the value chain.
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Rockwell Automation is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Our 27,000+ employees in more than 100 countries understand and simplify our customers’ complex production challenges and deliver the most valued solutions that combine technology and industry expertise.
WebsiteTier three
Essantis are passionate, inspired producers of Australian grown plant-based food and beverage ingredients. Essantis produces a diverse range of products encompassing oat cereal and pulse ingredients for the Asia Pacific market, including pulse proteins and starches. Their investment in the development of Australia’s alternate protein supply chain is underpinned by their mission to provide the world with sustainable plant-based ingredients for a better tomorrow.
WebsiteA message from our lead sponsor
As New South Wales’ Minister of Industry and Trade I’m delighted that Sydney will host the 2025 AltProteins conference. This is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s also the first time it will come to Sydney.
It’s an exciting time for Australia’s growing and innovative food and beverage sector. We are in a unique position to become a global leader in protein development and there is enormous potential for the sector to grow in New South Wales and become a significant component of our local manufacturing. According to think tank Food Frontier, by 2033 our state could be home to a $765 million dollar industry generating up to 8,000 jobs. We’re already a leading state in plant-based food, cultured meat, and precision fermentation. We’re also home to leading industrial and academic organisations who are driving innovation and producing cutting edge research.
We want to continue to attract investment and growth for this industry.
The Hon. Minister Anoulack Chanthivong, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, MP.
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