TempehSure™ Protein Pod’s Funding Showcases Importance of Meat-Alternatives in Dining Options

Joins Top 3% of Kickstarter Campaigns of Over $100,000

Consumers are increasingly interested in plant-based proteins, viewing them as healthier, more enviro-friendly food options. While there are approximately 8 million American adults who are vegetarian or vegan, according to a 2016 national Harris Poll commissioned by The Vegetarian Resource Group, a 2013 survey from Mintel found that 36% of consumers sought out meat alternatives. So it’s not surprising that when the TempehSure™ Protein Pod launched a Kickstarter campaign this spring, the project was successfully funded in less than a month and raised $100,204 in pledges. According to Kickstarter statistics, only 2.9% of projects are funded at $100,000 or more.

Tempeh is a fermented, high-protein, meat substitute that appeals to vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and omnivores alike. The TempehSure™ Protein Pod is the first commercially available do-it-yourself tempeh-making system, and is engineered to be virtually foolproof.

Home cooks and chefs can use the TempehSure™ Protein Pod to make tempeh with a variety of legumes, grains and nuts, such as soybeans, chickpeas, black beans, lentils, barley and peanuts. Flax, sesame or chia seeds can also be incorporated for additional nutrition.

Adding tempeh to people’s diets aligns with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which advises a varied diet rich in nutrient-dense foods, produce, grains, dairy (low-fat and fat-free), lean meats and other proteins.

“We’re passionate about healthy eating and treading lightly on the planet. As vegetarians, we’re constantly challenged to find fresh high-protein options and have talked with many non-vegetarians who wanted to cut back on animal protein but found it difficult,” says Steven DuPuis, founder of the DuPuis Group, a branding and venture/incubation firm that launched TempehSure as an incubation project. “With TempehSure, people can be confident that they’re eating a pure food that’s truly good for them, good for the environment and good for the world.”

The firm chose Kickstarter for funding as a response to consumer interest generated from survey responses and Tempeh Girls, an affiliated website dedicated to the benefits of cooking with tempeh. Additionally, trends show that vegan diets and products are gaining traction on social and traditional media, according to Eric Pierce, director of strategy and insights, New Hope Natural Media, which produced the 2015 Nutrition Business Journal Food Tribes Report.

The TempehSure system is available for presale and is expected to begin shipping the fourth quarter of 2016.

About the TempehSure™ Protein Pod
Development of the TempehSure™ Protein Pod began in 2013 under the inspiration and tutelage of tempeh gurus Gunter Pfaff and Betsy Shipley. The resulting dual-stage incubator and pasteurizer seamlessly creates tempeh in less than 24 hours. The patented appliance technology produces a product that tastes better and removes the mystery and guesswork from making great tempeh. It also provides the optimal climate and pasteurization options for the best results available—perfect for professional kitchens, food service environments and home cooks. 
To learn more, visit TempehSure.com.

The DuPuis Group is an award-winning, nimble design innovation firm that focuses on branding, product development and business venture incubation. Widely recognized as an early trend spotter, the DuPuis Group turns “what if?” ideas into smartly designed products for clients ranging from startups whose missions include improving the food system to Fortune 500 companies. The firm’s thoughtful solutions emphasize meaning and values, resulting in products that encourage consumer engagement in the marketplace. The DuPuis Group has offices in Ventura, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Reno, Nevada.
To learn more, visit DuPuisGroup.com.

DuPuis Group

Chicago
62 West Huron
Chicago, IL 60654
Kaitlin Myers
312.337.2040

Ventura
394 E. Main Street, Suite C
Ventura, CA 93001
Leigh Haikin
805.277.5200

Reno
100 N Arlington Ave #100
Reno, NV 89501
Jeff Pickett
805.277.5207

This release was published on openPR.