Alt Proteins, Food Frontier | Sydney, Australia 2025
Type of work:
300 senior leaders from industry, government, academia and media across the emerging proteins ecosystem
Topic:
Provoking systemic, delivery-focused thinking on scaling alternative proteins from innovation to real-world impact
Client:
Alt Proteins 25 (Food Frontier)
At AltProteins 25 in Sydney, Nik Gowing led a provocation-driven experience for nearly 300 senior leaders from industry, government, academia and media across the emerging proteins ecosystem.
Nik challenged participants to confront uncomfortable realities, test assumptions and define their own “unthinkables”. Through high-energy, interactive formats, including roaming audience dialogue, we moved the conversation beyond presentations to real-time problem solving.
“Unthinkables unleashed onstage. 1 day. 12 hours. 2 global forums. 6 debaters. Thousands of participants and 1 Sorcerer of Ideas. Thinking the Unthinkable resonated at Alt Proteins ’25 and SXSW Sydney. Nik alchemised energetic discussions on the urgency of transforming our food systems.” ️
— Kat Dunn | Director, Food Frontier
What we achieved
Catalysed by Nik’s initial provocation, our framework awoke, challenged and inspired participants to generate what we call “new mind muscle”.
The aim? To think and act more boldly and radically.
Nik then steered a fast-moving sequence of sessions involving more than 40 speakers. Using interactive formats, direct audience engagement and real-time questioning to he surfaced hard truths. The roaming microphone and open interventions shifted delegates from passive listeners to active contributors.
The closing “What Happens Now?” forum converted that energy into forward-looking commitments. Leaders from across the ecosystem responding to the question “What’s your unthinkable now?” and identifying collaboration as the sector’s critical next step.
Our role was to create a safe but challenging environment for honest conversation, move the debate from optimism to practical action, and equip participants with more systemic, delivery-focused thinking about scaling the sector.
About AltProteins 25
The AltProteins Conference moves beyond exploring what’s next, focusing instead on what’s truly necessary for the future of food.
AltProteins invites innovators from food, policy, and technology across the Asia–Pacific region — led by global and local speakers — to engage deeply with the challenges facing the future food sector, collaborate on shared solutions, and leave with clearer pathways to implement these solutions within their organisations.
Ready to Lead Through Uncertainty?
Whether you’re looking to develop resilient strategies or spark new conversations, we’re here to help.
If your organisation is ready to face complex challenges and lead with clarity, now is the time to act. Contact us to start a partnership that delivers insights, resilience, and positive impact.
