Soy-Free Vegan Tofu Using Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
Overview
Where did this idea come from? Why is there a need?
There’s a need for a high-protein vegan food that is both gluten-free and soy-free.
Most vegan protein alternatives are either tofu/edamame/tempeh or seitan, which is made from wheat gluten.
Some people need to or choose to avoid both soy products and gluten.
Pumpkin seeds have as much protein per 100g as beef, and contain all nine essential amino acids (depending on who you ask).
Elevator Pitch
Soy-free vegan tofu made in a quick and easy process from two ingredients: pumpkin seeds and water. It tastes great, behaves like tofu and is vegan, gluten-free, soy free and nut-free.
Features
What does it do? Where is it? What other aspects are important?
Provides a nutritious source of protein for vegans.
To be stocked in all good health food stores, and maybe even supermarkets.
The Marketplace
What is the environment the business would be operating in?
Customers
Who would this business be selling to?
- People eating a vegan diet
- People wanting to avoid soy
- Health-conscious individuals
- People wanting to avoid gluten
Competitors
What other businesses or sources would this business be competing with?
Only one place in Canada making it?
Very little content about it online >> Mary’s Test Kitchen
Research
What was found when doing research on this idea? (stats, market size, general information)
Financials (AUD)
- Bulk prices $10-15 per kg, might do even better wholesale buying 1-2 tons at a time
- Only other inputs are water and packaging
- Could sell for $30 to $40 per kg (about $7 to $9 for 225g pack)
- Would need to produce upwards of 2000 packs per week to be a good business
- Startup costs
- Commercial kitchen: $200-300 per day or ~10K to buy
- Food registration licence and plan ~$1000
- Website $10,000
- Production
- Limited only by space, both for storage and production
- Fast to make milk and boil it
- Have to wait for curds to press (overnight?)
- Might be able to use machines to speed things up
- Would have to make around 500kg per week
- Profitability
- Cost to make 1 pack ~$3 (pepitas, packaging, running costs)
- After allowing for stockist margins, might make $1-2 per pack
- At 2000 per week, that’s 200K profit per year
Marketing
How would this business reach its customers? Ideas for websites, emails, content, marketing materials.
“Soy-free tofu”
Main avenue would be through existing health food stores and supermarkets.
Resources
Useful links, other resources to support this idea.
SWOT Analysis
What do we need to be aware of when considering the likely outcomes of the business?
Strengths & Opportunities
What are the internal strengths and external opportunities of this idea?
Strengths (things that the business can control)
- Speed/efficiency of production
- Marketing
Opportunities (things that the business can’t control)
- Customer demand for viable alternatives to tofu
Weaknesses & Threats
What are the internal weaknesses and external threats for this idea?
Weaknesses (things that the business can control)
- Shelf-life – How long can it last?
- Logistics – How do you get into customers hands before it spoils?
Threats (things that the business can’t control)
- Price of pumpkin seeds – Greatly affects profitability
- Supply of pumpkin seeds – If you can’t get them for any reason, you’re dead
- Stockist margins – Might get pressured to lower prices
- Other people with better existing set-ups coming in and taking the market
What now?
This business idea is shared freely for you to take and use as you see fit.
You will need to do your own additional research and planning to fully flesh out the idea, but it gives you a place to start.
Please note that we are not responsible for the outcome of any business you start based on our idea. All decisions are your own.