FoodTech Voices in Asia aren’t simmering quietly, they’re boiling over. From bustling test kitchens to remote biotech labs, a bold wave of disruptors is turning everyday meals into platforms for climate action, health equity, and economic reinvention. They aren’t just responding to what’s broken in the global food chain—they’re rewriting the rules entirely.
This feature showcases the Voices in FoodTech Innovation in Asia who are leading the rewrite. Scientists, founders, investors, and system-shapers, each one driving a new kind of progress powered by precision, sustainability, and scale. Their stories serve as a blueprint for a food future that’s smarter, fairer, and better equipped to face the challenges ahead.
Highlights
Deepinder Goyal
As the Founder and CEO of Zomato, Deepinder Goyal has transformed how India experiences food. With a mission of delivering “better food for more people,” he has grown Zomato from a simple food directory into one of the largest hyperlocal delivery networks in the country.
Furthermore, his leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, particularly through the ‘Feeding India’ initiative, showcased Zomato’s commitment to social good, distributing millions of meals and life-saving oxygen concentrators.
In addition, Goyal continues to pioneer sustainability efforts by pushing carbon-neutral deliveries and plastic-free packaging. His vision seamlessly blends technological innovation with impact-driven execution in the FoodTech space.
Hari Menon
With over 25 years of experience in digital and retail, Hari Menon has been a consistent trailblazer. He co-founded Fabmart during the dot-com era and, drawing from its lessons, launched Bigbasket in 2011. Today, Bigbasket stands tall as India’s leading online supermarket and a proud member of the TATA family.
Moreover, Hari’s unwavering focus on customer-centric innovation and operational excellence has fueled Bigbasket’s scale and trust. His journey reflects resilience, and his vision continues to shape the future of online grocery commerce across India.
Aniket Shah
Aniket Shah is shaking up the on-demand food scene as Co-Founder and CEO of Swish, a 10-minute food delivery app born in Bangalore. With speed and freshness as Swish’s core promises, Aniket reimagines what convenience means in urban living.
Notably, Swish addresses micro-moments of hunger with unmatched precision, ensuring that chai arrives with the rain and biryani hits right on time. His approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also challenges the standard timelines in food logistics, making Swish a name to watch in India’s growing quick-commerce segment.
Jaydeep Barman
Jaydeep Barman, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Rebel Foods, is building what he calls “the last frontier of the internet,” Cloud Kitchens. Since 2011, he has led Rebel Foods to become the world’s largest internet restaurant company, operating 45+ brands across India, the UAE, and the UK.
Meanwhile, the company’s proprietary Rebel OS has revolutionized multi-brand scaling, launching over 25 brands efficiently. Through his leadership, Jaydeep has introduced a full-stack, tech-enabled model that redefines how food is prepared and delivered, setting new benchmarks for digital-first food ecosystems.
Jake Berber
At the helm of Prefer, Jake Berber is pioneering sustainable flavor innovation, starting with coffee. As Co-Founder and CEO, he’s helping coffee companies cut both costs and carbon footprints. Moreover, his venture is rooted in the belief that affordability and sustainability can coexist.
By rethinking how we produce and consume coffee, Jake is enabling a more circular, efficient food economy. Prefer is more than a startup; it’s a vision for a low-impact future, and Jake is leading the charge one cup at a time.
Ts. Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan
A globally recognized figure in biotechnology, Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan serves as the Global Coordinator for ISAAA, championing agribiotech across continents. With a career spanning 28 years, she has not only advanced biosafety policies and regulations but also pioneered science communication in Malaysia.
For instance, her efforts in launching the country’s first science newspaper and founding science communication boards have bridged the gap between science and society. In addition, her leadership extends to empowering regulators, farmers, and students across Asia, Africa, and the Muslim world. Her tireless advocacy exemplifies how FoodTech can be rooted in equity, policy, and science.
Michal Klar
Michal Klar, Founding Partner at Better Bite Ventures, is at the forefront of climate-friendly FoodTech investment in Asia-Pacific. With a dynamic background spanning operations and venture capital, Michal’s mission is to accelerate innovations tackling climate change and food security.
In parallel, he runs Future Food Now, a widely read newsletter that dissects FoodTech trends across the region. Notably, his portfolio champions alternative proteins, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable packaging. His dual role as an investor and storyteller makes him a rare force shaping FoodTech’s future from seed to scale.
Sandhya Sriram, PhD
Sandhya Sriram, PhD, is CEO of Sprout Agritech and co-founded Shiok Meats, Southeast Asia’s pioneering cell-based seafood company.
Over the years, she has raised over US$30 million, led two successful M&As, and built a robust ecosystem for alternative proteins. In addition, she’s an active advisor and investor in emerging FoodTech startups.
Her deep academic roots in stem cell biology, paired with her entrepreneurial success, have earned her recognition from Bloomberg and TIME. As a self-described “productive juggler,” Sandhya’s journey reflects relentless innovation and impact.
Jasmin Shaikh
Jasmin Shaikh is a visionary food scientist and the founder of Axia Foods, leading the global transformation of functional plant-based nutrition through science, sustainability, and soul. Inspired by her father’s health journey, she created THEGRENHUB®️, a clean-label, high-protein brand that blends ancient food wisdom with modern nutritional science.
With 15+ years in R&D, Jasmin created groundbreaking plant-based foods—clean, protein-rich, and free from powders or synthetic additives. She has developed space food for NASA. These pioneering products are setting new benchmarks in clean-label, functional plant-based foods.
Her work is not just about products, it’s about purpose. Jasmin champions circular food systems aligned with UN goals, merging climate activism and auditing to advance health, equity, and resilience.
Recognized as one of the Top 10 FoodTech Innovation Voices in Asia on LinkedIn, she is at the forefront of a movement to place India on the global map for innovation in plant-based functional foods, while championing women in science and entrepreneurship.
Fengru Lin
As Founder and CEO of TurtleTree, Fengru Lin is revolutionizing dairy through biotechnology. Under her leadership, TurtleTree developed LF+, the world’s first precision-fermented lactoferrin, transforming how bioactive proteins enhance food nutrition.
Moreover, TurtleTree has raised over US$40 million, won global startup competitions, and earned features on CNN and Forbes. With an ambitious roadmap that includes cell-based milk, Fengru champions sustainability, animal welfare, and global food security. Her biotech vision isn’t just disruptive, it’s deeply humane and globally resonant.
Beyond the Plate: What These Voices Are Really Serving
With rising populations and climate shocks, feeding the future is a challenge that demands urgent innovation and bold solutions today. That’s why these Voices in FoodTech Innovation in Asia matter so profoundly.
They are not just leading companies, they are architecting systems of sustainability, equity, and innovation from the ground up. Whether it’s by lab-grown seafood, food startups, and smarter delivery, these voices are reshaping how we eat and live.
More importantly, these voices are showing the world that Asia is not just following the FoodTech revolution, it’s driving it. The future of food is being written now, and these are the authors we should be listening to.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
