As the global population expands and resources dwindle, international food businesses are looking to technology to change the way we produce, deliver and consume food. And this can be the key to fast-track internationalization for your startup. ToasterLAB has partnered with Food Tech Matters, in London on November 21st, to offer FoodTech startups a showcase before corporate investors and VCs as it’s not too early to think international.
The last few years have seen a sea change in how global food business is seeking to respond to changing consumer demands for healthier natural and more sustainable food. Nimble entrepreneurs around the world have leveraged their agility to set the pace in transformational food innovation. From 3D printed food to lab-grown meat and vertical farming, their disruptive technologies could help solve the challenges faced by future generations.
Within the ToasterLAB ecosystem, we have seen more and more interest from global food and drink corporates and investors, who are keen to be part of the fast-paced global food tech scene. With the lure of accelerating their international development, startups have a lot to gain from leveraging this interest.
Technology under the microscope
A major corporate focus appears to be on technologies that deliver better food and nutrition at the right price for the consumer, as well as trust, transparency and resource-efficiency in production processes and supply chains. This is providing a fertile environment for startups putting the “tech” into FoodTech to get their business on to a global platform with the help of strategic partnerships or investments.
“Since 2013, the number of investors participating in the food and beverage sector has more than tripled. Corporations are multiplying their startup initiatives and venture funds,” Briony Mansell-Lewis, director of Food Tech Matters, tells me.
In addition, the focus is more and more on early to mid-mature startup projects. “As FoodTech flagship startups like Beyond Meat create more visibility and interest for the sector, higher valuations are pushing food corporations and VCs towards making smaller investments in younger startups,” says Briony Mansell-Lewis.
Time is of the essence
Getting access to high-growth emerging economies, distribution platforms, marketing clout… there is a lot to gain from partnering with a big food business player or a VC. The lower the entry barrier to your markets and the more time-sensitive your go-to-market, the more interest you could have in getting access to those resources proffered by big business partners, before your competitors catch up.
The obvious first step starts with looking for opportunities to get noticed. “We created Food Tech Matters, with the aim of facilitating connections between these innovative food tech start-ups, and corporates and investors,” explains Briony Mansell-Lewis.
“Given the current tech interest, we are showcasing innovations in the areas of gene editing, 3D printing and personalised nutrition; sustainable packaging, artificial intelligence's potential for improving efficiency, transparency and reducing waste; viable protein alternatives to meat; innovative nutraceuticals driving product development and food waste solutions.”
“Ultimately, the aim is to make it easier to scale up the newest technologies which promise to help deliver a sustainable and nutritious future for all,” she concludes.
Go further
If you are know that international development is key to your FoodTech startup’s growth, and you are looking for opportunities for business connections, join ToasterLAB in taking part in Food Tech Matters, November 21st, 2018 in London.
Contact Claire van Overstraeten for more details and reduced registration rates (showcase prices for startups from as little as £250): claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com, +33 3 80 78 97 93
Earlybird prices end October 5th, 2018.
Earlybird prices end October 5th, 2018.
Food Tech Matters is a one-day event in London that will include corporate and investor pitches, new technology workshops and the Food Tech Lab, a platform to showcase leading international start-ups.
It offers an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for help to bring their products to the mass market to get an audience with established food brands, financiers, mentors, business partners, nutrition experts and government and trade agencies.
It offers an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for help to bring their products to the mass market to get an audience with established food brands, financiers, mentors, business partners, nutrition experts and government and trade agencies.
Among start-ups already signed up are Spanish company Natural Machines, which created the first 3D food printer, Higher Steaks, the first UK company working on lab-grown "clean meat", Winnow, which developed smart tech to help chefs reduce food waste, Indian firm Magellan Life Sciences which has developed a sweet-tasting protein that can be used as a sugar alternative and Mimica Lab, which has produced a bio-reactive food expiry label.
Co:cubed, an agency which specialises in corporate-start-up collaboration, will host a free speed-dating style matchmaking service, where corporates meet five start-ups in 30 minutes, in sessions based on food tech themes like personalised nutrition and the human microbiome.
A growing number of international organisations and corporates are involved in the event including Nestec, Five Seasons Venture, Distill Ventures, Sweden FoodTech, ToasterLAB from Vitagora, The Italian Chamber of Commerce, Forward Fooding, ANJA GmbH, Nestle, Diageo Sluys International and Mathys & Squire to name a few.
Contact
Claire van Overstraeten, ToasterLAB : claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com, +33 3 80 78 97 93
Special rates for startups from as little as £250.