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Hi Sifted Reader,

Startup events are back in full swing — and we're delighted. This week, deputy editor Eleanor and fintech reporter Amy are heading off to Wolves Summit in Warsaw — if you're around, say hi! 

And in just a month's time, Sifted's first full-day event of the year is taking place in Tallinn. Check out the agenda for our Sifted Sessions here and, if you're a founder or senior startup leader, apply for your (free) ticket. We look forward to seeing you there!

But returning to business. Today we're talking about:

• Startups growing breakfast in labs
• Eight bootstrapped companies to watch
• How to end the VC boys' club
• Supporting Muslim colleagues during Ramadan

— Alex, writer & Amy, editor

Lab-grown chicken nuggets are already available at a restaurant in Singapore, and we're often told that steaks aren't far away either. But what about the most important meal of the day?

Animal-free versions of eggs, bacon and coffee are on the way, and while some are in the experimental phase still others could be coming to supermarkets shelves as soon as 2024. 

We find out which startups are serving up what — and when.

Your startup may be eligible for Grow by SAP, an exclusive programme for hypergrowth companies. Participating startups get a SaaS package and dedicated growth success director.

More details here.

Lots of attention in the tech world goes to VC-backed companies — the seven and eight-figure funding rounds tend to grab your eye. 

But it's not the only way to raise money, and some startups have seen huge success without a penny of investor cash.

Here are eight of hottest up-and-coming bootstrapped startups.

The VC-startup world is one built on relationships, where decisions are often made on gut instinct. But if you're a woman, those relationships can get a bit too personal.

More than half of women in VC and startups reported being sexually harassed at work, so it's no surprise that the industry's diversity levels are so poor. But Johannes Lenhard has some ideas to level the playing field.

Here's his advice for VC firms.

Ramadan begins this weekend, starting a month of fasting for Muslims all over the world. It's a month of celebration and community for many, but it can make long work days tricky as well.

Arfah Farooq, cofounder of Muslim tech group Muslamic Makers, gave us her top tips for how startups can support Muslim staff during Ramadan, from flexible work hours to a quieter social calendar.

Read her advice here.

2021 saw a record-breaking year for capital — and yet fundraising continues to be a nail-biting experience. Our upcoming Sifted Talks discusses the dos and don’ts of a successful pitch and how to stand out from the crowd.

See you on April 7.

🥾 How Planhat built a startup of 100+ people without VC cash. The Swedish SaaS startup wanted control of its product from the start, and had its first paying customer after only six months. It meant the team had to focus on profits from the start — and now the business is growing at a sustainable rate. 

This week, we're rounding up some of the best guest columns so far this year. Start your week right by reading some of the most interesting voices in the startup world.

🤝 Founder agreements aren't a luxury: they're vital. Nikolay Ganyushkin writes about his four separate cofounder break-ups and what went wrong. In some cases it was poor comms; in others it was a blurring of lines. He realised the hard way that a partner agreement was necessary to keep everyone on the same page and build up trust.

👼 Lessons on a year in angel investing. Kim Fai Kok, after a decade at Swedish startup TrueCaller, decided to take the plunge into personal investing last year. He shares his advice, including being ruthless with your time and making sure you make space to be with your friends too.

🤷♀️ German healthtech kenbi has a unique diversity problem: only 10% of the staff are men. Some stats watchers might think that's a good thing, and a woman-led workplace has its advantages. But it equally presents its own problems, writes cofounder Katrin Alberding — so check out her tips on finding diverse hires. 

👵 Tech is often seen as a young person's game. But did you know the average age of a successful founder is 45? Hiring people near the end of their careers can bring an injection of maturity and experience that lots of startups desperately need as they scale up, writes Renzo Taal. 

👗 One for all mid-noughties TV fans — Trinny Woodall takes us through her boostrapping journey. From ubiquitous fashion presenter to cosmetics founder, she didn't want to jump straight into the VC world after being burned in the dotcom bubble — so she sold all the clothes in her wardrobe to raise money instead. 

Sifted Member Meetup: Paris | Paris, France | April 21
Share a drink (or two) with the Sifted team and Sifted Members in the French startup ecosystem at STATION F, the world’s largest startup campus. Spaces are limited, so RSVP today! Not yet a member? Apply the code PARIS2022 to get 20% off.

Is crypto eating the world? | Online | April 20
Now it’s moving into mainstream adoption and regulators are moving beyond a rudimentary understanding of the sector, is crypto the next hungry giant? We’re discussing it all on April 20.

Amy Lewin
Editor 

Get in touch with her at amy@sifted.eu
Or tweeting at @amyrlewin

Alex Oscroft

Writer

Get in touch with him at alex@sifted.eu 
Or @alex_oscroft

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