Sesame Summit is back, learn more

OLALA!: Elevate Your Dining Experience with Plant-Based Seafood

OLALA!, a young and vibrant company founded in France in 2021, is pioneering the world of 100% plant-based seafood alternatives. Driven by the urgent need for sustainable food solutions, they offer a delicious and innovative range of 6 products, including plant-based smoked salmon, salmon flakes, raw salmon and tuna, tuna crumbles, and tarama. All their products are crafted with natural-origin ingredients, boasting a taste that rivals the real deal.

plant-based seafood

More Than Just OLALA! – It’s Scrumptious!

“We believe plant-based food shouldn’t be a compromise on flavor,” says their team, a passionate mix of food enthusiasts, researchers, and chefs. We’ve spent 18 months perfecting our recipes to ensure an unparalleled taste experience. Produced in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, near some of the country’s largest fishing ports, we are strategically positioned to understand the industry and its impact.

Why “OLALA!”?

This memorable name reflects our French roots and perfectly captures the delightful surprise their products evoke. “It’s a universally recognized expression of wonder – exactly the reaction we aim for when people experience OLALA! for the first time, “Simon Ferniot, the CEO & Co-Founder, explained.

blank

Why Plant-Based Seafood?

Overfishing and climate change pose a serious threat to our oceans. By offering a delicious and sustainable alternative, they empower consumers to make a positive impact with every bite. “If we don’t radically reduce overfishing, there won’t be any fish left in the ocean by 2050,” they said. Their products boast a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional seafood, making them a win for your taste buds and the planet.

A Global Mission with Local Roots

“Our team of 23, including 7 specialized food engineers, operates across multiple locations in France—from state-of-the-art production facilities to R&D labs in Paris, and an export team based in Amsterdam. This international presence allows us to cater to a global audience while maintaining a strong connection to our French heritage.” the team said.

Who We Serve

OLALA! primarily targets the food service industry and the B2B sector, both in France and internationally. They partner with distributors and restaurateurs seeking to diversify their menus with innovative and sustainable plant-based options. Their end consumers include everyone from flexitarians and vegans to curious foodies who appreciate delicious and responsible food choices.

plant-based seafood

Standing Out from the Tide

While competitors exist in the plant-based seafood and meat space, their unwavering focus on taste sets us apart. They believe that deliciousness is key to driving long-term change, “Our meticulous recipe development, extensive taste testing, and collaboration with chefs ensure our products are not just good for you and the planet, but truly satisfying to eat,” the team said.

Making Waves: Traction and Recognition

Since launching in May 2023, OLALA! has gained the trust of key players in the French market. They collaborate with distributors (Vegetal Food, PrevoGel, Foodex, Pomona) and restaurant chains (EXKI, Google, Bloom Sushi, Land&Monkeys), with their first retail presence at Kumo. Their reach extends to other European countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and Israel, with the UK soon to follow. Positive media coverage, participation in trade shows, and a podcast series (“Un pavé dans la mer“) have further solidified their brand recognition.

Why SIAL Startup Village?

“Participating in SIAL Startup Village aligns perfectly with our commercial and marketing strategy, having seen the success of trade shows like Taste of Paris, we are eager to leverage SIAL’s vast network and media opportunities. ” the team said. They believe this participation will significantly enhance their visibility, open new business avenues, and solidify their presence in the market.

Showcase Your Brand at SIAL Paris 2024: Fill Out Our Exhibitor Form Today!

blank

you might also like

blank
Events 1 day ago

CEW Communications drove a 51% increase in LinkedIn followers for Nordic venture capital forum GoWest.

blank
Startup 1 week ago

Ahead of the 10th edition of the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit, we caught up with tozero’s CEO and co-founder, Sarah Fleischer.

blank
Events 1 week ago

Composites are everywhere around us: they’re used to make everything from spacecraft and racing cars to swimming pools, bath tubs and countertops. Still, most people don’t know what “composite materials” mean — the materials industry isn’t really the best fit for consumer-focused marketing after all.  But the potential of composites to increase efficiencies in industry is putting the highlight on its potential to improve sustainability. That, in turn, is attracting corporates and investors to the space. That trend of innovation was quite apparent at the 60th edition of JEC World in Paris, which showcased the latest and greatest in the composite materials industry this week.  The event saw a range of products being launched, awards given, a startup competition, conferences, networking events for investors and the industry, live demos, and much more.  The 2025 edition of the trade show also saw its first Investor Day, co-organized by Sesamers, which had top venture capital investors from across the world meeting founders, networking and evaluating interesting startups. Meet the JEC Startup Booster 2025 winners Speaking of startups, this year’s JEC Startup Booster competition had 20 uniquely interesting finalists that Sesamers (acting as JEC’s sourcing partner) helped shortlist from over 200 entrepreneurs, startups, and university spin-offs to highlight the most intriguing new companies in the space.  Over the years the competition has become a true springboard for participants, thanks in no small part to the support of industrial sponsors: the 2025 edition is supported by Airbus, ProxximaTM (An ExxonMobil Product) and Owens Corning as its main innovation partners, and Mercedes-Benz and Swancor as innovation partners. These companies were also represented in the jury that judged the finalists in the competition. Even being a finalist in Startup Booster can open doors for a startup: for example, former finalist UBQ Materials is now working with Mercedes Benz. Of course, getting an award is even better — the prize package is worth €25,000, including a cash prize and a fully equipped booth at JEC World 2026. This year there were three awards — two corresponding to the main categories, and one focused on sustainability. Product & Materials Award: Tree Composites Tree Composites is trying to improve offshore wind turbine foundations with its wrapped composite joint, which helps make structural connections that drastically reduce steel usage.  The company says it offers 60% savings in materials as well as increased durability, and is one of the more unique names helping in the transition to more efficient and sustainable offshore energy projects. “Winning this award validates our technology and accelerates our ability to scale,” shared Lead Manufacturing Engineer at Tree Composites, Berend van Leengoed. Process, Manufacturing & Equipment Award: Perseus Materials Perseus Materials is tackling one of construction’s biggest challenges — reducing labor costs and replacing steel with fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs). Its on-site manufacturing process is designed to make large, load-bearing FRPs more accessible and cost-effective, instead offering lightweight, high-strength alternatives. “Being recognized by the JEC jury — composed of industry leaders — proves that our approach has the potential to truly disrupt how structures are built,” said Perseus Materials’ CEO, Dan Lee. Sustainability Award: Strong by Form Strong by Form has developed Woodflow, a timber composite that delivers a lightweight, high-performance alternative to traditional materials like concrete and steel, reducing carbon footprints in critical industries. “This award is not just a win for us — it’s a signal that the industry is ready for a fundamental shift toward bio-based, sustainable solutions,” the startup’s founders said. JEC World 2025: A Convergence of Startups & Investors While Startup Booster put the spotlight on the innovation in materials, JEC Investor Day turned out to be a good experiment for facilitating funding and strategic partnerships. Investors from leading funds and corporates’ investment arms gathered to see where composites are heading next, meet founders, and network. Composites are evolving at an incredible pace, but the most exciting impact will come from startups and large enterprises and manufacturers working together. That connection is being facilitated by corporates’ venture capital arms. Several investors in attendance were representatives of corporations.  Syensqo Ventures’ managing partner Matt Jones told Sesamers ahead of the trade show, that his firm was particularly interested in how composites can help make lighter, more manufacturable, cost-effective parts for several use cases. “Everything that flies or rolls needs to be higher performance; whether you’re switching to sustainable aviation fuels or electric vehicles, they all need to be lighter. They all need to have higher performance. Composites are going to be a big part of that future,” he said when we spoke to him at JEC.  The road ahead All trade shows bring people together, but few succeed in truly uniting diverse stakeholders under one roof. JEC World 2025 did showcase the best in composites, but it also accomplished something that many industry events struggle with: facilitating meaningful connections between investors and startups to bring composites innovation to the market.  This suggests that the inaugural JEC Investor Day was just the beginning, and you can be sure we’ll bring you the highlights again. Until next time.

Subscribe to
our Newsletter!

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