What does your startup do and what is your mission?
Maxence: We are reshaping the nutritional regimen of future martial artists, fighters, and athletes by providing them with performance-boosting plant-based fight food. Through the NØKO brand, we are supporting the rise of a new generation of world champions who eat pro-performance, healthy, and sustainable foods.
Olivier: NØKO’s products are innovative and unique, drawing on the highly functional power of microalgae. Our product range is 100% plant-based and made in France.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
Maxence: I am a professional boxer and engineer, and the idea came about while I was still in the amateur ranks. At the time, I struggled to find any specific foods that suited my needs. I was looking for foods that would allow me to face the harsh conditions imposed by our sport, which can be taxing and take a toll on your body.
This is how I started making my own blends. At the same time, I followed an online nutritional science course to certify my knowledge – and to make the right blends for myself. I decided it was time to give all fighters access to this game-changing nutrition!
Tell us about your team – who are you and why are you the right people for the project?
Maxence: I’m 23 years old, and an undefeated professional boxer. I am also an IT engineer and a certified nutritional-science coach.
Olivier: I was the first French importer of the Oreo, Pepperidge Farm, and Daim brands. My TooGood brand is also the leading product in the French healthy snack segment.
Alvyn: Gaëtan and I are the cofounders of Algama Foods, an innovative company developing microalgae-based foods. We are at the core of NØKO’s innovation, since the products are developed in our labs.
Maxence: Together, we contribute a variety of experiences to build innovative and well-marketed products. To that end, we can count on one of the world’s most functional ingredients: microalgae. On top of that, our target audience is a demographic we know well – after all, we are part of it.
What are your favourite parts about building your business?
Maxence: The best moments are when we see the reaction of fighters who consume NØKO’s plant-based fight food for the first time. It is massively rewarding to see how amazed and excited they are about our products!
