Hello! My name is Samyak Baid, and I am a visionary, science-driven economics student with a passion for sustainable food systems. As the recipient of the prestigious NUSC International Merit Scholarship, valued at over SGD 200,000, I am currently pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Innovation & Design at the National University of Singapore (NUS). This impressive achievement not only reflects my dedication to academic excellence but also highlights my commitment to shaping the future of food by making it more sustainable, efficient, and economical. I firmly believe that the key to achieving this lies in removing animals from our supply chains and embracing smart/alternative proteins. Whether derived from plants, microorganisms, or cells, these alternatives offer a more intelligent and sustainable way to meet our protein needs. I am deeply passionate about exploring the economic potential of alternative proteins and making a positive impact on the food industry. In line with these goals, I co-founded Pawsible Foods, an alternative protein start-up focused on developing proprietary fermentation processes to create mycelium-based pet nutrition that is cleaner than traditional meat-based pet food and "meatier" than novel plant-based pet food. We are currently incubated at the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University as well as NUS Enterprise at the National University of Singapore. We were recently awarded the VIP Impact Grant from NUS, which is worth SGD 10,000 along with in-kind benefits. Having completed my schooling in India, I am a strong believer in the potential both Singapore and India hold, and I aspire to represent the growing collaboration between our two countries. At NUS, I hold leadership positions in The NUS Alt Protein Project, a global student movement dedicated to turning universities into engines for alternative protein education, research, and innovation, as well as Effective Altruism, a research field and practical community that aims to find the best ways to help others and put them into practice. Previously, I have worked with various Indian food technology start-ups such as Indiska Magic, Origin Nutrition, and Symbiate Ventures across business, research, and development verticals. As I continue my academic and professional journey, I am dedicated to leveraging my knowledge, skills, and passion for sustainable food systems to create a better future for our planet and its inhabitants Please feel free to get in touch with me via email at samyak.baid@pawsiblefoods.com 🚀