Ārepa has been selected for MISTA’s 2025 Growth Hack accelerator programme in San Francisco after discovering the sarmentosin molecule in New Zealand blackcurrants.
MISTA, a globally recognised food tech accelerator in San Francisco created by Givaudan, connects start-ups and industry leaders to drive the future of food.
In late 2024, Ārepa identified a new molecule in New Zealand blackcurrants that supports dopamine activity in the brain. This innovation has potential benefits and was a first-of-its-kind discovery in the plant food kingdom, playing a key role in Ārepa’s acceptance into the programme.
Ārepa co-founder Angus Brown said their goal for participating in the programme will be to create a new Ārepa product.
“We’re going to use this incredible opportunity to create a new prototype product by expanding on the IP of our core formulation,” said Brown.
“This programme will help accelerate Ārepa’s research and bring science-backed brain health solutions to a wider audience.”
He added that being selected to participate in MISTA will be a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with global leaders in food innovation.
As part of the programme, MISTA will hold a symposium on healthy nutrition in San Francisco on the 12th of March 2025, where Ārepa and other selected companies will present.
“We’re excited to welcome Ārepa to share its brain health innovation with over 100 industry leaders from around the world,” said founder and head of MISTA Scott May.
The 2025 MISTA Growth Hack theme, "Nourish and Delight through Healthy Nutrition", focused on human health, including reduced sugar and salt, fibre and prebiotics, healthy fats, brain health and weight management (GLP-1).
Following the symposium, the Growth Hack cohort will participate in a ‘Grow Creation Phase,’ collaborating with MISTA partners to develop new products. These will be showcased at a Demo Day on the 9th of October 2025.
Companies selected for the Growth Hack programme gain access to MISTA’s corporate members, including Danone, CheilJedang, Givaudan, and other global food giants.
They will also have access to MISTA’s Innovation Centre, which includes an extrusion centre, biotech lab, beverage centre, culinary kitchens and application labs.
Ārepa has become the second New Zealand food-tech company to join MISTA’s Growth Hack programme, following Nutrition From Water’s participation in 2024.
