Peruvian Veef

Peruvian Veef is a food technology company operating in the plant-based protein market in Latin America. Founded in Lima, Peru, in 2020, the company emerged from a university project by founder and CEO, Karina Zegarra, an industrial engineer with a commitment to plant-based nutrition. She identified a gap in the Peruvian market for high-protein, flavorful meat alternatives beyond typical legume-based burgers. The business was officially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linda Obregon, also an industrial engineer, later joined as co-founder and CSO to secure the necessary capital for expansion.

The company develops, produces, and sells a variety of plant-based meat substitutes inspired by traditional Peruvian and Latin American cuisine. Its business model encompasses both direct-to-consumer online sales and a strong retail presence, with products available in over 70 stores across Peru, including major specialty chains like Organa. Revenue is generated through the sale of its product portfolio to individual consumers and retail partners. The company is also expanding into the foodservice sector, targeting restaurants.

Peruvian Veef offers a range of over 11 products, including plant-based versions of beef, chicken, cold cuts, and traditional Peruvian dishes like anticucho (grilled skewers) and pollo parrillero. The product lineup features items such as the 'Meat Vurger', 'Real Vurger' (pea-based), 'Crispy Chicken Vurger', vegan nuggets, and seitan. These products are developed using proprietary production processes and texturing methods that do not rely on complex machinery, focusing on nutritional value, texture, and taste. A key selling point is their competitive pricing, costing less than half of some imported alternatives. The offerings cater to a growing consumer base seeking sustainable and ethical food options, with products primarily made from soy, wheat, and pea protein.

The company has successfully secured funding to fuel its growth, raising a total of $320,000 in a pre-seed round in May 2024. This included contributions from US-based venture capital firms Ahimsa Foundation and Sustainable Food Ventures, as well as a non-dilutive grant from the Peruvian government's ProInnovate program. These funds are earmarked for strengthening its operations in Peru and expanding into other Latin American markets, including Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. Keywords: plant-based meat, food technology, Peruvian cuisine, vegan products, alternative proteins, food manufacturing, retail food products, foodservice supplier, Latin America food market, sustainable food, Lima startup, Karina Zegarra, Linda Obregon, plant-based anticuchos, vegan burgers, seitan products, soy protein, pea protein, food innovation, consumer packaged goods