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Alejandro Franco
Co Founder & CCO at Kaffe Bueno ApS.
Professional Background
Alejandro Franco is a dynamic entrepreneur renowned for his innovative approaches in the coffee industry, particularly in harnessing coffee's potential within the personal care, nutraceutical, and functional foods sectors. As the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Kaffe Bueno, Alejandro plays a pivotal role in redefining how coffee can be utilized beyond traditional consumption. His focus on coffee's versatility aligns with contemporary trends in sustainability and health, reflecting a deep understanding of market demands and consumer preferences.
In his role at Kaffe Bueno, Alejandro is instrumental in driving the company’s mission to unlock the latent potential of coffee by transforming waste into valuable resources. This aligns closely with his interest in circular innovations, with his work demonstrating that business can indeed be a force for positive change. His approach not only enhances product offerings but also contributes to environmental sustainability, thus positioning Kaffe Bueno as a leader in ethical entrepreneurship.
Education and Achievements
Alejandro’s educational background is rooted in rigorous academic training in areas vital to his current roles. He possesses a firm foundation in biochemistry, which enables him to understand the scientific aspects of food technology and product development. This scientific knowledge, combined with a pragmatic approach to business, has equipped him with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the food industry effectively.
Throughout his career, Alejandro has adeptly managed a variety of responsibilities that span commercial strategy formulation, market research, and developing beneficial partnerships. His vast skill set includes expertise in product management and business development, which has allowed him to successfully lead product innovation and market entry strategies that resonate with consumers and stakeholders alike.
Achievements
Alejandro Franco’s achievements reflect his dedication to innovation and sustainability. Under his leadership at Kaffe Bueno, the company has made significant strides in creating appealing products that leverage coffee’s natural properties. This not only positions Kaffe Bueno as a pioneer in creating products that are both beneficial and environmentally conscious but also sets a trend for future innovations within the industry.
His creative yet pragmatic approach to problem-solving has been a critical asset in fostering collaborative teams that are driven by results. Alejandro is not just focused on immediate outcomes; he cultivates a knowledge-sharing environment where curiosity drives learning and professional growth. His resourcefulness and team-oriented mindset ensure that projects are not only successful but also aligned with a broader mission of sustainability and health.
In addition to these commercial accomplishments, Alejandro's work at Kaffe Bueno exemplifies a commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. By emphasizing the transformation of coffee waste into valuable products, he profoundly impacts the industry and inspires others to consider the ecological implications of their practices.
In summary, Alejandro Franco is a passionate advocate for leveraging coffee’s potential across various industries. His endeavor at Kaffe Bueno illustrates his belief in the power of business as a catalyst for change, making him a prominent figure in both the coffee and sustainability movements.
Highlights
Last week was great. Kaffe Bueno exhibited for the first time at in-cosmetics Global, after 5-6 years as visitors, and it couldn't have gone better.
Beyond exhibiting, I gave a keynote titled "How Upcycling Coffee Can Accelerate The Transition to Natural?" - this was a chance to discuss key topics hindering the industry (not only personal care, but all WellCare market in general) from a sustainable transition to natural, and show how upcycling coffee can help in many ways.
I structured the conversation around these statements:
- Natural does not equal sustainable
- Petrochemicals and synthetics are not irreplaceable
- Nature is not white... and neither are people
For the sake of this post, I'd like to expand on point 3), which non surprisingly, was the one causing most mixed reactions - from gasps to smiles to lightbulb moments.
Why is the industry so stubborn about whiteness?, I asked.
Although all companies say they want to go natural, they reject the colours of Nature along with their beneficial bioactive molecules.
All for the sake of having white or transparent products. But why? This is old school standard comes from an association of white to cleanliness. But is it still appropriate today?
How many of you like the white-cast effect that a sunscreen leaves on your skin? Nobody likes it. In fact, that's one of the main reasons people avoid sunscreens. In a recent study, less than 13% of Black Americans said they can find sun care products that match their needs in mainstream retailers.
I later talked about a new technology we developed from coffee that can solve the industry problems when going natural:
- batch to batch quality reliability
- performance
- cost competitiveness All while making the industry more inclusive to all humans. Thanks to coffee "waste".
The sum up went something like this: "Consumers demand Natural, But Natural does not equal sustainable.
Natural and sustainable should not come at the expense of margins nor performance. Though margins and performance should not come at the expense of Nature.
Nature is Not White. And neither are people. As industry, and fellow humans working towards a better industry, planet and society, we should embrace the colours of Nature, instead of whitening them out, along with their benefits.
It is not an easy journey ahead… But upcycling coffee can help."
If you'd like to get the presentation, send me a DM or comment ☕👍. Of course, feel free to discuss some of the topics below :)
Thank you Dr Barbara Olioso, MRSC and Marcella Vinciguerra for facilitating this space, for everyone who joined, and all the great people who dropped by our stand, pleasure meeting you all!
#BuenoMovement #ActiveIngredients #PersonalCare #InCosmetics2023 #Surfactants #Suncare #HairCare #SkinCare #BCorp #BeautyIndustry
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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