Getting to know the Essence Food Technologies project from its CIO, Pablo López

Pablo López, Marcio Barradas, and Ramón Suárez have developed a project that maintains traceability from cultivation or production to packaging and delivery to the customer, with the aim of ensuring sustainability throughout the process. They applied to the first edition of BFFood to address the surplus valuation challenge and were one of the selected initiatives.

They have been working in the acceleration phase for a few months now, where they have the mentorship of Juanjo De la Cerda, Corporate Director of R&D and Quality at the Nueva Pescanova Group. We spoke with Pablo López, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Essence Food Technologies, to learn about the project in detail.

• What led you to apply to BFFood?

Our goal was to be able to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) in a real-world context that would validate our processes and products in direct collaboration with companies in the food sector.

• How did the idea for this minimum viable product you mentioned come about?

Essence Food Technologies arose from our previous experience and our interest in offering solutions related to sustainable food, providing trust and transparency through blockchain, based on food surpluses and circular economy processes.

• You are addressing the surplus valuation challenge posed in the first edition of BFFood; what technologies are you using to develop your project?

In our project, we work with blockchain, spray drying, foodprinting, and Industry 4.0 enabling technologies, such as IoT, artificial intelligence, big data, advanced digitalization, smart products…

• You are part of the Galician food industry accelerator; how would you define the sector?

We see it as an industry concerned with sustainability and market trends, but at the same time, focused on mature business models, which leads it to take few risks and thus limit innovation.

• At BFFood, you have a mentor with an extensive career and experience in the specific field of your project, such as Juanjo De la Cerda, Corporate Director of R and Quality at the Nueva Pescanova Group; what does this mean for you?

He is a key figure in accompanying us throughout the journey and helping us adjust our expectations to the market pace.

• Have you created any kind of synergy with the other participants?

Yes, both with some promoting companies and with startups participating in BFFood.

• What goal have you set for yourselves during your participation in BFFood?

To be able to obtain new contracts for the minimum viable product we are developing, as well as for our R services.

• Would you recommend BFFood to other entrepreneurs?

Of course! For us, one of the strengths of BFFood is the opportunity it offers to have access to a real market context.

• Finally, how would you like your project to be defined?

The goal of Essence Food Technologies is to facilitate responsible production and consumption with the aim of living on a sustainable planet that enables smart nutrition through advanced technologies that guarantee the essence of food.