Stephen Michael H. Co is a visionary entrepreneur and the Co-Founder and CEO of two groundbreaking ventures, Worth The Health Foods (WTH Foods) and Nipa Brew Craft Beers. His journey into the world of sustainable food innovation and craft brewing began with a shared passion for showcasing Filipino creativity and locally sourced ingredients.

 

In 2014, Stephen co-founded Nipa Brew Craft Beers, a microbrewery and taproom located in Makati, Philippines. Nipa Brew quickly emerged as one of the pioneering craft beer brands during the renaissance of the craft beer industry in the Philippines during the 2010s. The heart of Nipa Brew's mission lies in using local ingredients, collaborating with smallholder farmers, and embracing Filipino creativity to brew more than 60+ styles of beer. Since its inception, Nipa Brew has proudly served over a million servings of local craft brew, delighting beer enthusiasts with its unique flavors and genuine dedication to sustainable practices.

 

However, Stephen's entrepreneurial spirit did not stop at craft brewing. In 2020, he and his co-founders established Worth The Health Foods (WTH Foods), a plant-based alternative protein startup operating in the Philippines and Singapore. WTH Foods is a food tech startup that harnesses the power of sustainable plant proteins to create delicious, nutritious, and convenient plant-based center-of-plate dishes. Under the brand name UMANI, WTH Foods offers a range of plant-based meats and seafood products, skillfully crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

 

The name "UMANI" is a clever play on words, combining the taste of umami with the Filipino word "ani," which translates to harvest. Through UMANI, Stephen and his team seek to revolutionize the food industry by providing accessible and tasty plant-based alternatives to traditional meat and seafood products. Their commitment to sustainability extends to their partnership with smallholder farmers, who provide unique ingredients such as mung beans, jackfruit, coconut oil, and seaweed for their products.

 

In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, WTH Foods courageously launched their first product line, featuring a mung-bean-based giniling, jackfruit-based corned beef, and adobo flakes. The response from the market was overwhelmingly positive, prompting the team to expand their product range to include over 20+ plant-based meat and seafood alternatives.

 

WTH Foods' dedication to sustainability and innovation did not go unnoticed. In 2022, their plant-based crab bites stood out and won the prestigious Meatless Meat Challenge organized by the Singapore Food Manufacturers Association, Enterprise Singapore, and Food Resource and Innovation Centre (Singapore). The following year, their plant-based microalgae tuna product was recognized as one of the Top 5 finalists at the Scale It Up Innovation Challenge organized by Buhler, Givaudan, and Cargill at the Protein Innovation Centre (Singapore).

 

Beyond accolades, WTH Foods received valuable support from various Philippine government agencies, including the PCIEERD Startup Grant Fund, which awarded them P4 million in 2022 to further their research on plant-based tuna. Furthermore, the company actively collaborates with other local plant-based innovative brands, collectively working towards pushing the industry forward and driving positive change in the food landscape.

 

Stephen's vision and passion for sustainability and plant-based alternatives have made an impact far and wide. WTH Foods' plant-based meats and seafood products are sold in over 200 outlets, mainly in Luzon and Cebu. Additionally, the Umani Bistro food kiosks in Metro Manila serve over 200+ plant-based meals daily, making it convenient for Filipinos to embrace a more plant-based diet.

 

Stephen Michael H. Co's journey as an entrepreneur has taken him from the realm of craft brewing, celebrating Filipino creativity, to the forefront of the plant-based food revolution. With a strong focus on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and continuous innovation, Stephen's ventures, Nipa Brew Craft Beers and Worth The Health Foods, stand as shining examples of how businesses can lead the way in creating a healthier and more sustainable future for all. As they expand their footprint and touch more lives in the Philippines and beyond, Stephen's vision of making plant-based center-of-plate dishes accessible to all Filipinos takes a significant step closer to reality.