Plant-based protein company wants Canadians to invest in new agritech farm
Many Canadians pursuing more sustainable and healthier lifestyle options have made the transition to plant-based diets in recent years. Others are consciously exploring plant-based meat alternatives as time goes on.
Protein — and getting enough of it through nutritious sources — is often a concern with meat-free diets. This got the team behind Vancouver-based company Pontus Water Lentils thinking about alternative sources of protein that could remain sustainable in the long run.
Taking an innovative approach to agriculture, the company is creating its own state-of-the-art bio-secure farms. They operate with a method of farming called aquaponics, which combines hydroponics (plants grown in water) with aquaculture (fish farming).
Pontus Protein Powder, a pure and nutrient-dense non-GMO plant protein grown in this environment, is the first alternative being produced in these farms by Pontus. Canadians who are interested in investing now have the opportunity to back the product and support the building of a 10,000 sq ft facility for its production.
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As a 100% organic and pesticide-free alternative to plant-based protein, Pontus Protein Powder is made with the help of automatically controlled machine learning and AI farm operating systems. Pontus’ Closed Environment Vertical Aquaponics System (CEVAS) uses 95% less water than field-based agriculture and delivers a near-zero carbon footprint.
This is particularly important as agriculture already uses 70% of the world’s fresh water supply. By 2050, it’s estimated that feeding a planet of nine billion people will require a 50% increase in agricultural production — plus a 15% increase in water withdrawals. To put this into perspective with typical sources of protein, it takes up to 20,000 litres of water to produce just one kilogram of meat.
In terms of investing, Pontus Protein Powder is now a premium entry into the Global Protein Supplements market. This market is anticipated to grow to $20 billion (USD) by 2025, according to Grand View Research. Pontus explains that this growth is fuelled by more North Americans reducing or eliminating animal products. It’s also being driven by a combination of health, wellness, and environmental concerns.
The market opportunity for Canadians to invest in Pontus Protein Powder is running until the end of the month entirely online via FrontFundr. To get on board, the minimum investment is $250. Anyone who invests $500 or more will get a sample of the plant-based protein alternative and recipes along with the shares.
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Recognizing the demand for a sustainable source of protein, Pontus designed its protein powder to be highly nutritious. It’s more than just a typical protein powder. Instead, it’s made from a blend of five water lentil species that are dehydrated and ground into a fine powder. This powder can be easily added to recipes for pasta dishes, energy bars, falafels, and much more.
Why water lentils? They’re vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and offer higher levels of pure plant protein. Water lentils are also a great source of dietary fibre, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins (like iron, calcium, potassium, omega fatty acids, folate, riboflavin, vitamin E, and vitamin A).
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Ultimately, Pontus’ CEVAS system has been developed to supply an essential need in Canada and provide quality protein to communities that have a short growing season or none at all (in Nunavut, for example). The system can be used to grow produce anywhere in the world, from deserts to tundras, to prairies, and perhaps even in space in the future.
Pontus is striving to meet and exceed Health Canada’s manufacturing guidelines for natural and non-prescription products.
So far, the company is seeing a good response from private investment, with over $834K raised on its FrontFundr campaign at the time of publishing.
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Pontus is partnering with Greenz Agritech Parks from Greenz Market across Canada and planning new locations. To support the growth of the company and its next production facility, visit the FrontFundr campaign before July 31 to invest in this opportunity.
For more information and to find out more about Water Lentils and see some delicious recipes made with Pontus Protein Powder, check out the company’s website.
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