Spotlight 2023

ENSOY – Tofu Revolution

Tofu has an image problem and we are here to change that. Tofu is known as a rubbery and tasteless food made from GMO modified soy from Brazil. Our product disproves all myths. We produce the Swiss tofu with taste from regional soy. The consistency is tender and smooth (anything but a shoe sole). Above all, tofu is unbeatably sustainable, but very few people consume tofu. Our mission is to show people how great tofu can be. The ecological footprint of our meat-heavy diet is enormous. Tofu helps to reduce it enormously!

Who are the people behind the project and what is your background?

Lukas Rösch founded ENSOY two years ago. It was clear to him that the potential of tofu was far from exhausted. Most people don't like tofu. However, the possibilities in the kitchen are endless - and those in terms of sustainability even more.
Lukas Rösch studied business and discovered the potential of vegan food while working for another food startup. Today ENSOY has 10 employees who are committed to a better
world every day. The professional backgrounds could not be more different. However, the goal unites everyone: tofu revolution

How did your idea come into being?

It all started in the home kitchen, where the first production attempts took place. We were convinced that there is not good tofu on the market. When we found out that people linked our product we decided to make serious business. That's easier said than done. You can't just buy a tofu machine and ask someone how to use it. It was all learning by doing.

What is your idea to impactfully design a climate positive FOODprint for Switzerland?

To us it makes sense to encourage the adoption of plant-based diets by promoting vegetarian and vegan options in shops, restaurants, schools, and public institutions. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with livestock farming and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
We all know that our consumer behaviour affects the environment and we all want to act. However, many people cannot reconcile activism and radical life changes. Solutions are needed that can be implemented by everyone. When it comes to eating, the options are endless. This is exactly where we want to start. Raising awareness among citizens about the link between food choices and climate change is necessary. But allegations are never well received. Positive vibes are required.

How do you define the positive impact of your solution on the problem described above?

With our project we reach a new clientele, not least meat eaters, who usually stay away from vegan food if possible (away from tofu anyway). We are not missionaries, but we have a product that perfectly fits the 21st century if it comes to reducing our impact on the environment. We are committed to culinary pleasure at the highest level, which is uncompromisingly associated with sustainability. We are also committed to regional value creation and get in touch with local farmers as often as possible. In the countryside the vegan diet is often met with a lack of understanding. We would like to show the possibilities and invest in the future together. For farmers the changing food habits offer a variety of opportunities.

Mission Model Canvas