TechConnect Ventures
Sprint Challenge Brief:
Aeration Technologies For Dough
Submissions ClosedBackground
In the baking industry, the density of a baked good is critical to delivering the best possible experience for the consumer. Anyone who has made a cookie, cracker, soft cake, or other delicious baked good can tell you that dough before baking is quite dense, while the finished product is much lighter and airier. The product transforms during the baking process to attain all of its desired final attributes.
Some of the key ingredients that drive this transformation are leavening agents. Leavening agents react with the other ingredients in baked goods when exposed to high temperatures to produce carbon dioxide, which in addition to steam generated during baking, creates air pockets within the product and thus yielding the desired airier texture. Common leavening agents include yeast (natural) and sodium bicarbonate (chemical). This raises the question, is it possible to produce these same air pockets and the same desired texture without the use of leavening agents?
TechConnect's client, a global leader in baked goods, is interested in exploring novel methods for entrapping air into dough. Specifically, the client is seeking non-traditional approaches which do not rely on chemical leavening agents or yeast. All approaches, suitable for use at any stage of dough formation or processing, are of interest.
Potential pathways of interest include, but are not limited to:
Proposed approaches should:
While technologies at all stages of maturity are of interest, those which could be implemented in a production environment within 24-36 months are of strongest appeal. Approaches adapted from non-food industries are also of potential interest.
Ideally, proposed solutions would allow for the complete removal of leavening agents from the client's production process. Approaches which permit reductions in leavening usage will also be considered.
The client may also consider responses from subject matter experts (SMEs) with relevant knowledge and experience in the preparation of baked goods with non-traditional leavening agents or those entirely without leavening agents.
The goal of this sprint is to facilitate contact and interactions between the Sprint sponsor and commercial entities (including Start-ups) or technology developers or research organization/university in this space. Submissions from all viable subject matter experts are of interest including those from academia and commercial entities.
Requirements
Solvers submitting an Entry are encouraged to highlight capabilities in their Submission that meet criteria including:
Business Opportunity for Solvers
All complete and eligible Entries will be included in an exclusive Innovation Opportunity Report that will be presented to our client. Solvers with well-matched capabilities may be contacted directly by either TechConnect Ventures or the client to discuss potential partnership opportunities, including – but not limited to – demonstrations, consulting, contract research, licensing, and more. Top-rated Entries may also be invited to register or participate in an upcoming TechConnect Ventures event or pitch program.
Participation Rules & Guidelines
Solvers are encouraged to review the Rules and Guidelines provided on the Sprint page for details about participation, including submission criteria, eligibility information, and more.
QUESTIONS? Contact challenge@techconnectventures.com