Hardware Podcasts

R&D RADIO: Travis Zissu from Scale Food Lab

The Startup CPG Podcast · 13 Apr 2026 · 28m · Episode 291

What this episode covers

Travis Zissu, founder of Scale Food Labs, an FDA-registered pilot facility in Golden, Colorado, explains how his company helps emerging CPG brands transition from benchtop formulas to scalable production. He details a rigorous process involving sourcing from commercial-grade suppliers, iterative prototyping, and stress-testing pilots by manipulating heat and stirring to uncover failure points before full-scale manufacturing. Zissu highlights current industry trends, including a supply chain shortage for beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) whey protein through 2027, the risks of GI distress with fiber-forward products, and the potential of cell-based meats. He emphasizes that founders must accept a '90% acceptance' threshold for launch, as home kitchen recipes rarely translate perfectly to industrial machinery.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Scale Food Labs, GNT Natural Colors, Chew Innovation, Beyond Meat, Pepsi, Nestle, Grunds, Starbucks
Also
Culinary Institute of America, beta-lactoglobulin, inulin syrup, Cornell Food Lab

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