Sesame Summit 2026 – application open

KING Konjac: Low-calorie sushi rice alternative

In the world of sushi, KING Konjac is making a big splash. Based in Finland, this food tech startup has created a low-calorie sushi rice alternative made from konjac — a traditional Japanese root known for its high fiber and low-calorie properties.

KING Konjac’s product offers a healthier, planet-friendly alternative that’s designed to appeal to sushi lovers and health-conscious consumers alike.

“Our goal is to introduce something truly delicious, healthier, and more sustainable to the sushi industry,” says the founder, Sami Gauffin.

Why KING Konjac chose a sushi rice alternative

The team at KING Konjac saw an opportunity to make sushi healthier without compromising on flavor or quality. Traditional sushi rice, while delicious, can be high in calories and carbohydrates.

KING Konjac’s solution? A low-calorie, high-fiber alternative that brings the nutritional benefits of konjac to sushi, creating a product that’s perfect for macro-conscious individuals, everyday sushi lovers, and those seeking a lighter option.

“We wanted to address the growing demand for healthier food choices without sacrificing taste,” shares Sami. By replacing rice with a konjac-based ingredient, KING Konjac offers a unique way to enjoy sushi that’s both delicious and aligned with today’s wellness trends.

blank
📸: KING Konjac

The journey behind the name: why KING Konjac?

Choosing the name “KING Konjac” was both strategic and symbolic. The word “king” emphasizes the premium quality of their product, while “konjac” highlights the unique ingredient at the heart of their innovation. “The name is a playful nod to ‘King Kong’ — just as King Kong was a giant in cinema, KING Konjac aims to be a giant in the sushi world,” explains the founder.

This name choice is part of the startup’s intellectual property strategy, securing a strong brand identity that resonates with consumers and stakeholders. It’s a bold statement that reflects their commitment to creating the best, most innovative rice alternative for sushi.

Innovating with Konjac: from noodles to sushi

The idea for KING Konjac’s product came from the founder’s 10 years of experience working with konjac in the form of traditional shirataki noodles. Recognizing the versatility and health benefits of konjac, the team set out to bring this ingredient into the sushi industry.

“We’ve seen how popular shirataki noodles are for their low-calorie, high-fiber properties,” the founder explains, “so we thought, why not bring that same benefit to sushi?”

After a year and a half of intensive product development, they perfected a texture and taste that sushi lovers would appreciate, making konjac a viable and delicious replacement for sushi rice.

blank
📸: KING Konjac

The power of teamwork: expertise behind KING Konjac

At KING Konjac, the team’s collective experience spans food technology, product development, and sustainability.

The team includes two engineers, Touko and Mirza, who collaborated with Sami on a previous venture, and Make-San, known as “Finland’s Sushi Emperor” for his expertise in Japanese sushi and ingredients.

“Make-San has been importing authentic Japanese sushi rice and ingredients for years and employs Japanese sushi chefs,” Sami Gauffin says.

Sustainable, planet-friendly ingredients for a new era of sushi

One of the key drivers behind KING Konjac’s low-calorie sushi rice alternative is sustainability. Traditional rice production can have significant environmental impacts, including high water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Konjac, on the other hand, is a more eco-friendly crop with a lower environmental footprint.

blank
📸: Sesamers

Meeting the demand for healthier and macro-friendly options

Today’s consumers are increasingly health-conscious, and KING Konjac’s product fits perfectly into this trend. The konjac-based rice alternative is low in calories, high in fiber, and ideal for a variety of diets, from low-carb to gluten-free.

“Our product appeals to macro-conscious individuals and those who simply want to enjoy sushi without the added calories,” the founder shares.

This focus on health and wellness makes KING Konjac an attractive option not just for sushi lovers, but also for those who are looking to maintain a balanced diet.

A perfect fit for the sushi industry and beyond

KING Konjac’s target audience includes sushi restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and catering services, as well as health-conscious individuals.

Their product’s ability to maintain quality at room temperature makes it suitable for a range of businesses looking to offer fresh, high-quality sushi options.

“We want to reach anyone who loves sushi and cares about their health and the planet,” says the founder. In addition to direct sales to sushi restaurants and retailers, KING Konjac has plans to license their patented production technology, enabling even broader distribution of their product.


Want to stay ahead in the event industry? Follow Sesamers on LinkedIn and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletters for the latest insights, tips, and event news.

you might also like

Fundraising 39 minutes ago

European femtech continues to defy funding statistics, with innovative health solutions targeting underserved women’s health markets securing capital despite the broader challenges facing female founders. Against a backdrop where just 2.3% of venture capital flows to female-led companies, YON E Health has secured €250k in pre-seed funding for its pioneering vaginal health device, signalling growing investor appetite for targeted women’s health technologies. The Hamburg-based startup’s funding round represents a strategic validation of the femtech sector’s potential within Europe’s fragmented healthcare landscape. With women’s health historically underrepresented in medical research and product development, YON E Health’s approach addresses a significant market gap that European regulators and healthcare systems are increasingly recognising. Femtech funding gains momentum despite broader challenges PMK-Group led the pre-seed investment, bringing not only capital but strategic expertise in healthcare commercialisation across European markets. The investor’s thesis centres on the untapped potential of women-centric health technologies, particularly those addressing intimate health concerns that have traditionally received limited attention from mainstream medical device companies. “The European femtech market represents a €50 billion opportunity that remains vastly underserved,” notes the lead investor. “YON E Health’s approach to vaginal health monitoring aligns with our portfolio strategy of backing founders who are solving real problems for underrepresented patient populations.” The funding landscape for female founders remains challenging, yet companies like YON E Health demonstrate that investors are beginning to recognise the commercial viability of women’s health solutions. PMK-Group’s involvement suggests institutional appetite for femtech investments is strengthening, particularly when backed by solid clinical evidence and clear market positioning. European regulatory advantages drive femtech innovation YON E Health’s vaginal health device benefits from Europe’s progressive approach to medical device regulation, with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) providing clear pathways for innovative health technologies. The startup’s European base positions it advantageously for navigating fragmented healthcare systems whilst building credibility for eventual expansion into larger markets. The company plans to utilise the €250k funding to advance clinical trials and prepare for CE marking, essential steps for European market entry. Unlike their US counterparts, European femtech companies can leverage harmonised regulatory frameworks that, whilst complex, provide clearer routes to market across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. “European women deserve healthcare solutions designed specifically for their needs,” states YON E Health’s leadership team. “Our device addresses a clinical gap that affects millions of women daily, yet has received minimal innovation attention until now.” This funding round positions YON E Health within a growing ecosystem of European femtech companies challenging traditional healthcare approaches. As institutional investors like PMK-Group commit capital to women’s health technologies, the sector gains credibility that could accelerate broader funding flows to female founders across European markets.

Fundraising 2 hours ago

European robotics is experiencing a renaissance, driven by labour shortages and the urgent need for industrial automation. Against this backdrop, Adaptronics, an Italian robotics startup, has secured €3.15M in funding to advance its sophisticated robotic manipulation technology. The investment, led by 360 Capital, signals growing investor confidence in European deep-tech solutions addressing real manufacturing challenges. This funding round positions Adaptronics within a competitive landscape where European robotics companies are increasingly attracting venture attention, particularly those focused on practical industrial applications rather than consumer novelties. 360 Capital leads robotic manipulation funding round 360 Capital’s investment in Adaptronics reflects a broader thesis around European manufacturing’s digital transformation. The Milan-based investor has historically backed B2B technology companies with strong intellectual property positions, making this robotics play a natural extension of their portfolio strategy. Unlike many Silicon Valley robotics investments that chase autonomous vehicles or humanoid robots, European investors like 360 Capital are focusing on immediate industrial applications. This pragmatic approach aligns with Europe’s manufacturing heritage and the continent’s need to compete with lower-cost Asian production through automation. The funding structure suggests confidence in Adaptronics’ technical approach, particularly as Italian robotics companies have historically struggled to scale beyond regional markets. 360 Capital’s backing provides not just capital but access to their network of manufacturing partnerships across Southern Europe. Italian robotics startup targets manufacturing precision Adaptronics is developing advanced robotic manipulation systems designed for complex manufacturing tasks that currently require human dexterity. Their technology focuses on precision handling and assembly operations, addressing a critical gap in European manufacturing where skilled labour shortages are becoming acute. The company’s Italian roots provide strategic advantages within Europe’s manufacturing ecosystem. Italy’s strong tradition in precision engineering and automation, combined with the country’s network of mid-sized manufacturers, offers a natural testing ground for Adaptronics’ technology. The €3.15M funding will primarily support product development and early commercial deployment across European manufacturing facilities. This measured approach contrasts with the capital-intensive scaling typical of US robotics ventures, reflecting European investors’ preference for sustainable growth over rapid expansion. Adaptronics’ focus on manipulation rather than mobility positions them well within European regulatory frameworks, avoiding the complex approval processes that autonomous mobile robots face. This strategic positioning should accelerate their path to market across EU manufacturing sites. The timing proves strategic as European manufacturers increasingly view robotics as essential rather than optional, driven by post-pandemic labour market disruptions and intensifying global competition. Adaptronics appears well-positioned to capture this growing demand with technology specifically designed for European manufacturing requirements.

Fundraising 6 hours ago

The European observability market is experiencing a surge of investor interest as enterprises grapple with increasingly complex cloud infrastructures. Against this backdrop, Tsuga has secured €9.2M ($10M) in seed funding led by General Catalyst, positioning the startup to challenge established players in the application performance monitoring space. The round signals growing confidence in European startups tackling enterprise infrastructure challenges, particularly as businesses across the continent accelerate digital transformation initiatives post-pandemic. General Catalyst leads observability seed funding General Catalyst’s decision to lead Tsuga’s seed round reflects the venture firm’s broader thesis around developer tools and infrastructure modernisation. The Boston-based investor has been particularly active in the European market, with recent investments spanning fintech, SaaS, and now observability platforms. “We’re seeing European enterprises demand more sophisticated observability solutions as they scale their cloud-native architectures,” said a General Catalyst partner familiar with the investment. “Tsuga’s approach to real-time application monitoring addresses a critical gap in the market.” The funding round comes at a time when the global observability market is projected to reach $62.3 billion by 2026, with European companies increasingly seeking alternatives to US-dominated solutions like Datadog and New Relic. Targeting European enterprise market expansion Tsuga’s observability platform focuses on providing real-time insights into application performance and infrastructure health, with particular emphasis on multi-cloud environments that have become standard across European enterprises. The startup’s technology stack is designed to handle the complex regulatory requirements that European businesses face, including GDPR compliance and data residency mandates. “European enterprises need observability solutions that understand the nuances of operating across fragmented markets while maintaining strict data governance,” explained Tsuga’s CEO in a recent interview. “Our platform is built from the ground up to address these specific challenges.” The company plans to use the seed funding to accelerate product development and expand its engineering team across London and Berlin, tapping into the region’s deep talent pool in cloud infrastructure and developer tools. This funding positions Tsuga to compete directly with established observability vendors while leveraging its European heritage to win enterprise customers concerned about data sovereignty and regulatory compliance. The timing appears strategic, as European businesses increasingly prioritise local technology providers for critical infrastructure components.

Subscribe to
our Newsletter!

Stay at the forefront with our curated guide to the best upcoming Tech events.