Reimagining Cacao

From food systems to digital health, women founders in the MassChallenge Switzerland network are tackling urgent global challenges with bold ideas and deep expertise. Last year, 55% of the startups we accelerated were women-led — a reflection of that growing momentum. In this portrait, we feature Tal Govrin, founder of Kokomodo, who is pioneering cultivated cacao to build a more resilient and ethical supply chain for sustainable ingredients.

A Climate Barometer: The State of the Cacao Industry

How would you describe the current landscape of the global cacao and chocolate industry, especially in the face of climate change and supply volatility?

The global cacao and chocolate industry faces acute challenges. West Africa, producing over 60% of cocoa, grapples with erratic rainfall, droughts, aging trees, diseases, and deforestation – amplifying volatility and forcing shrinkflation plus premium pricing. 

Cocoa is more than a crop – it’s a climate barometer, signaling global warming’s toll on agriculture. Yet innovations like cell-cultured cacao signal adaptation, highlighting cocoa’s role as an early warning for food system fragility.

Industry Adoption: Growing but Cautious

From ingredient buyers to large manufacturers, how ready is the ecosystem to adopt cultivated cacao as a mainstream input?

Ingredient buyers and large manufacturers are expressing growing partnership interest, particularly amid sustainability pressures and price volatility.

They prioritize supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing, which makes them cautiously open to cultivated cacao for its potential consistency and traceability.

Correcting a Misconception

If you could change one misconception about cellular agriculture, what would it be?

The biggest misconception is that cellular agriculture creates substitutes. In reality, cultivated ingredients are the real thing — grown directly from the authentic cells of cacao.

It is not imitation; it is innovation. Cellular agriculture produces nature’s essence through control and responsibility.

Addressing the Root Cause

Cacao supply chains are highly vulnerable to climate risks, deforestation, and labor issues. Which of these is most urgent to address — and why?

Farmer poverty is the most urgent cacao supply chain issue, driving deforestation and labor abuses. West African cocoa farmers earn less than one day’s fair income, leaving no room for sustainable practices, fueling child labor and forest clearing. 

Climate risks worsen it: warming may erase 50% of suitable land by 2050. Stable incomes enable agroforestry and renewal for resilience. 

We complement nature by harnessing cell culture to produce cacao entirely free from deforestation and child labor. Kokomodo delivers consistent, climate-resilient supply. 

From Vulnerability to Functionality

If Kokomodo scales successfully, what impact do you hope to see on the global cacao market in the next 3–5 years?

Kokomodo aims to transform the global cacao market from purely indulgent applications toward functional ones, while ensuring stable supply amid growing climate volatility.

Chocolate makers would be able to craft premium products without changing their recipes, using consistently high-quality cacao free from heavy metals. Tailored cell cultures allow customizable flavor profiles while preserving cacao’s identity.

Wellness brands could create functional products rich in cacao’s bioactives and nutrients — such as antioxidants and magnesium — preserved and even enhanced through precise bioprocessing.

From Strategy to Cellular Agriculture

You transitioned from strategy, finance, and government advisory into founding Kokomodo. What inspired that leap into food tech and cellular agriculture?

Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by the challenge of transforming vision into reality. Founding Kokomodo is a continuation of that journey, only this time, the vision is vast. I’m channeling over two decades of experience in strategy, finance, and public advisory into building something tangible with the potential for global impact. 

At the end of the day, food technologies are the foundation for a better future, and cellular agriculture is one of the transformative tools that will enable us to live more sustainably and well. 

Why It Matters

Tal Govrin’s work with Kokomodo reflects a critical turning point for one of the world’s most beloved ingredients. As climate change accelerates and supply chains destabilize, cacao’s vulnerability reveals deeper systemic fragilities in global agriculture.

By cultivating cacao directly from authentic cells, Kokomodo offers a path toward resilience without deforestation or labor exploitation. The approach addresses both climate volatility and structural inequality within the supply chain.

Her journey also illustrates what it takes to build in a frontier space: challenging entrenched assumptions, earning industry trust, and combining strategic expertise with scientific innovation.

Kokomodo is not replacing tradition; it is helping ensure that resilient and ethical cacao supply has a future.

Kokomodo won the Gold Prize, CHF 20,000 in non-dilutive cash, at the MassChallenge Switzerland Awards 2025, on October 30, in Lausanne.

“In MassChallenge, I found community, confidence, and catalytic growth — as a woman leading bold change.” Says Tal.

---

MassChallenge Switzerland & UK Accelerator 2026 – Open For Applications until March 4

🚀 Are you building something bold? Applications for our early-stage accelerator are now open — apply here until March 4. Read more about the acceleration programme 2026 here.

ℹ️ Info Webinar Today, February 25, 5 PM CET: register here and ask your questions during the Q&A session.

💡Do you want to support innovation? Become a MassChallenge Expert and work at your own pace with founders, as a Judge or Mentor. Register here and we’ll onboard you shortly. Next ju

---

Check our other articles