Choco Yoco: yoghurt-based chocolate spread
Start-up Choco Yoco developed the world’s only choco paste with Nutri-Score A. The healthy yoghurt-based product is produced in a CO2-neutral way. It is a response to the growing concern among consumers about the sugar content, unhealthy fats and environmental impact of existing products. With Cofinancing from PMV, complementary to bank and other financing, entrepreneur Alex Helsen wants to conquer part of the Benelux market.
“Currently, two flavours have been developed: hazelnut and chocolate flavour. Speculoos is in the development phase,” says manager Alex Helsen, who has a lot of experience in the retail sector. He was previously involved in a spice company and another chocolate company, but he stepped out of everything to focus on his young family. The urge to do business overcame and Alex focused on developing a healthy choco. Drawing on his experience in the industry, he makes the case that there is strong demand in the market for a healthier choco paste.
Healthy alternative
While the West generally eats a lot of bread with sweet toppings, there is a growing concern about the presence of the high sugar content, unhealthy fats as well as the environmental impact of the existing chocolate spread. “Brands have no choice but to respond to these complaints. Choco Yoco was also developed from this concern: it wants to offer a completely healthy and ecological alternative so consumers can enjoy a tasty chocolate spread without feeling guilty and without damaging their health,” says Helsen. Choco Yoco is currently the only choco paste worldwide with Nutri-Score A. Alternatives targeting health usually focus either on fat or sugar, but rarely on both and achieve Nutri-Score C at most. Classic choco pastas easily have Nutri-Score D or E.
Marketing campaign
Choco Yoco is not prepared like other chocolate spreads: the basis of the product is a specifically developed yoghurt that is transformed into an ideal base in a CO2-neutral production site. Thanks to specially developed machines, a chocolate paste is then made with 60% less sugar and 70% less saturated fats than the average chocolate paste. Moreover, Choco Yoco contains no palm oil and the product is gluten-free. “We are initially targeting the Benelux and aiming for a 3-5% market share. To this end, we have already developed an (internationally deployable) marketing campaign in which ‘chocolate samples’ play a prominent role. At the same time, we are already looking further ahead: whether or not together with other producers, we want to quickly develop various derived products,” says the business manager.
Tasty
Alex Helsen called on grants to bear the development costs and faced the challenge of investing in machinery and working capital to bring the product to market. To capture the market and get production on track, the entrepreneur turned to Cofinancing. Investment manager Karien Husson believes in the future of the product: “The chocolate spread is the answer to a need in the market and has already convinced several retailers. Moreover, it is delicious! The task now is to optimise production as soon as possible and build a large reach. We believe in both the product and the team, and are therefore happy to support Choco Yoco’s story with Cofinancing.”
