David BuccaFounder

United States - Palo Alto, California

Alternative protein enthusiast, founder and CEO of food-tech startup Change Foods - redefining cheese and dairy using microbial biotechnology.

Having worked for over 13 years in the aerospace industry at Boeing in a number of technical and leadership roles, I made a career change in 2017 to realign my professional purpose with my personal one.

I entered the food innovation and alternative protein sector motivated by my passion to help solve many of the environmental, ethical and health challenges stemming from industrialized animal farming, animal-based diets, and inefficient food systems.

Upon leaving aerospace, I helped launch and became a board director of Food Frontier, a non-profit innovative think-tank & industry accelerator for alternative proteins - in particular plant-based and cultivated meats.

In parallel, I moved into the Australian hemp industry as COO of Hemple - an innovative brand developing food and products in the emerging cannabinoid market such as CBD oil.

From Jan 2019 to Jun 2020, I was the APAC regional manager for Hungry Planet, a premium U.S. plant-based meat company. It has a full-range of over 10 premium plant-based meats and is expanding globally to meet ever-growing demands. I have helped with regional expansion, brand development and localisation of manufacturing.