About this episode
Mike and Rachel Konrad discuss the challenges and strategic missteps of Impossible Foods in the alternative protein market.
In this episode, Mike sits down with Rachel Konrad, former head of communications at Impossible Foods and now a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, to talk about the state of alternative protein and where Impossible lost its way. Drawing on her experience as the company's first communications hire, Konrad argues that Impossible’s biggest mistake wasn’t market headwinds but a strategic shift away from its original biotech ambition toward a conventional CPG playbook. Mike and Rachel discuss founder vision, venture capital incentives, and the missed opportunity to license core technology to major food brands. They also discuss what a real turnaround would require if Impossible hopes to reclaim its original mission and relevance in the future of food Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Mike
Guest: Rachel Konrad
Topics covered
- alternative protein
- biotech
- CPG playbook
- founder vision
- venture capital
- food technology
Keywords
- Impossible Foods
- alternative protein
- Rachel Konrad
- biotech
- CPG
- food brands
- venture capital
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Impossible Foods, Stanford Graduate School of Business, venture capital
Places: food
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