MIA Dragons’ Den

Steve Cartwright, ANZCO’s Business Manager Healthcare, was on a panel of judges at the recent Meat Industry Association (MIA) Dragons’ Den competition, where contestants were challenged to develop groundbreaking ideas to advance New Zealand’s red meat industry. 

The top prize went to senior AgResearch scientist Renyu Zhang who came up with the idea to transform lower-value mechanically deboned meat into a meat flake. This would have high umami (savoury flavour) for seasoning, is stable at room temperature, and could be used as a protein enhancer and a snack. Renyu has received a grant to develop a business case and progress the idea.

Alongside Steve Cartwright, the judging panel featured MIA CEO Sirma Karapeeva, Andrew Clark of MPI, and Bruce Fyfe of Auckland Meat Processors. Other finalists’ ideas included nutrient-enriched food for the elderly, athletes, and women; machine learning to optimise spray chillers; using AI to map organ meat; and mycelium-enhanced hybrid meat.