Everybody wants innovation, but few companies have the culture to implement it. That’s why we see smaller companies and entrepreneurial brands delivering cutting edge products. Ten years ago, would you believe that a hamburger could be replaced? Or that dairy-free milk would drive new consumption patterns? Brands are experimenting with new formulas and new ways to connect to an ever-changing consumer. During this period of rapid change, the flavor industry has reached a place devoid of true innovation. Proprietary raw materials have given way to global commoditization. Startup flavor companies can’t begin based on a relationship, core vendor lists did away with that. Today, breaking into the flavor industry in a meaningful way you have to be different, deliver something nobody else has. When ZoomEssence started over ten years ago, we aspired to make better flavors by inventing a new manufacturing method. Our plan was simple, remove flavor degrading solvents and avoid using heat to encapsulate a flavor. The results for companies willing to change would be better taste and lower costs. We looked at it from the customer’s perspective, keep the ingredients the same, require no label changes just design flavors based on a new production method. A truly disruptive technology that could change the flavor landscape. We targeted the fastest moving, most innovative category we could find…functional beverages since many of these brands were led by people who can recognize innovation but more importantly adopt it. It worked, we carved out a nice niche in that marketplace. Now for the next challenge, bakery and sweet goods and we are seeing the marketplace change. Brands that were once cash cows are being challenged for survival as consumer tastes change. Innovation is a hackneyed term, everybody uses it but what should it mean? Ultimately, How do we know whether something is innovative? One barometer is the US Patent Office, they tell inventors whether what they’ve discovered is truly unique. That is only part of the story, even if you have patents you need champions to bring that innovation to market. Champions come in many forms, your boss, your customer, the consumer, investors. In ZoomEssence’s case, we have 11 patents on a new production process that revolutionizes the way we can deliver flavors. 11. It is unique, innovative, ground-breaking. But you know what, it doesn’t matter unless our team finds an innovator, a champion at a brand that cares about flavor. Everyone says they care about flavor but do they care enough to change. Surprisingly, the status quo for many is OK. That’s why Zoom is surrounded by customers and partners that wake up everyday craving change, searching for a better way, never wanting to accept the status quo. Our early adopters were beverage innovators, brands that wanted to deliver the next level of taste. The journey has been amazing. Today we embark upon a new challenge, the bakery category. As a company based on science, we’ve applied our technology to flavors and products in the mature bakery market. Donuts, muffins, cakes, fruit preps you name it. We’ve tested, cooked, baked and fried just about everything. We wanted to be sure our flavor technology was ready for the next challenge….change and industry that doesn’t change much. We’re here now, if you are ready to innovate, if you are ready to improve your products, if you are ready to reduce cost, if you are the definition of champion for innovation ZoomEssence is the right partner for you. This is the beginning of our journey in bakery, ready to innovation? Come walk down this road with us, you will love the destination. Taste, cost savings, innovation. And it can’t be done without you.