There’s smoke, and then there’s fire.
The Richmond innovation ecosystem is full of startups and growing companies fanning the flames of ingenuity and burnishing the region’s reputation. This year’s Fire Awards from Richmond Inno don’t highlight every sparkling startup or incubator in Virginia’s capital city — but they do aim to spotlight the 12 making the biggest waves right now.
To determine this year’s honorees, we reviewed our coverage from the past year, judged inbound nominations and consulted with a few community members.
Without further ado, here is this year’s class of Richmond Fire Awards honorees:
AuraPea — The plant-based protein market is hot, and AuraPea is seeking a prime cut. Benjamin Pasternak, the CEO of culinary systems company Defiant Food Group, launched AuraPea in early 2021. Its chickpea-based product, made through a patented process that maintains the chickpea’s functionality after it’s milled, comes in a variety of “crumbles” —…
Read the full story from the Washington Business Journal.
