Event Overview
Time 8.30am – 6.00pm
Tuesday 14 October, 2025
Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney
AltProteins 25 isn’t just focused on what’s next in food — it’s focused on what’s necessary. This year’s program reflects a new level of ambition and refinement, bringing together bold thinkers and doers who aren’t afraid to ask hard questions and pursue transformative answers.
Our conference will ignite meaningful collaboration and drive actionable change, uniting innovators from food, policy, and technology for a full day of insights, networking, and hands-on experiences—including exclusive taste tests of a wide range of delicious products.
2025 speakers
From Nik Gowing (Founder & Co-Director, Thinking the Unthinkable) to Cecilia Chang (Mission Barns), Amy Carter-James (Raaise), James Petrie (Nourish Ingredients), and Sonalie Figueiras (Green Queen), you’ll 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 Chief Business Officer 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 the Director of 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.
Website
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.
Website
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.
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.
WebsiteFood sponsors
v2food is an innovative Australian company committed to making delicious food that is good for you and good for the planet. Developed with over 100 years of CSIRO food and science research and with powerful collaborations within the food industry, v2food is playing a pivotal role in changing the way we feed the growing global population sustainably. Recognising that there is a need for version 2 of the food system, v2food has developed a delicious a range of plant-based meal alternatives that are packed with protein, iron and fibre.
Website
At Cale & Daughters, we’re shaping the future of Australia’s plant-based market. We create, produce, and distribute a wide variety of plant-based food that tastes incredible and is easily accessible to everyday shoppers. Our innovative range of alternative meat and dairy products are sold in major supermarkets and food service outlets across the country under the brand Made with Plants, Plant Asia, and Get Plant’d. We’re proud to be a recognised market leader, making it easier for mainstream consumers to integrate more plant-based food into their routines.
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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