All About FoodTech: the latest foodtech news for July
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 

Agri-Food start-ups and SMEs, ToasterLAB has launched a call for applications for its next intake (apply by August 26th). No time to waste, apply now at https://toasterlab.vitagora.com/apply!

 

Even during your summer vacation, keep a finger on the FoodTech pulse with our web news bulletin. The development of intrapreneurship, advances in solutions to the food waste crisis, tomorrow’s food innovations… Find out more below.

 

 

Corporations seek to increase their agility

 

While partnerships between start-ups and multinationals are multiplying, the latter are intensifying their initiatives to encourage their employees to take the first steps as intrapreneurs. What’s in it for the corporations? How do they go about motivating their workers ? 

 

 

What progress on reducing food waste?

 

The FoodTech sector is rolling out new initiatives to tackle food waste. One app is encouraging donations between private citizens while another is helping consumers to use their leftovers, and yet another is offering a range of chocolates made from industrial by-products. In parallel, a retailer is specialising in supermarket surplus stock…

 

 

What will be on our plates tomorrow?

 

To rise to the multiple challenges (economic, demographic, environmental etc.) facing the food industry, start-ups are teeming with ideas. Microalgae protein, sports snacks based in insects, fermented street food… What will be on our plates tomorrow? Or on the supermarket shelves?

 

 

Go deeper

 

ToasterLAB, the 100% Agri-Food acceleration program powerd by Vitagora has opened its latest call for applications. Get the right acceleration support to launch your business in Europe – mentors, experts, business connections and much more. Apply here by August 26th: https://toasterlab.vitagora.com/apply 

 

 

 

By Claire VO.

 

 

ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' acceleration and post-acceleration, as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for June
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
We are pleased so announce that the latest start-ups to join ToasterLAB’s 2019 cohort have been selected. Keep an eye on the ToasterLAB website in early September to find out their names. 
 
In the meantime, join us for our monthly tour of the web for the burning issues concerning AgTech and FoodTech entrepreneurs and their ecosystems.
 
 
 

advice and best practices for entrepreneurs

 
Interested by the lean and agile nature of start-ups, more and more large companies are joining the race to detect up and coming stars, or to encourage their employees to start intrapreneurial projects. Another opportunity for start-ups lies in their international development. How to get started? What budget is needed? Find out more below.
 
 
 

When FoodTech improves our daily lives

 
 
 
 

Go deeper

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB. We will very soon be communicating our next application call dates. In the meantime, found out more about our 100% agrifood acceleration program here.

 

 

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' acceleration and post-acceleration, as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for May
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
Agri-Food entrepreneurs, ToasterLAB's next intake deadline is only a few days away. Get your application underway now so you don't miss out (the deadline is June 3rd.) ! Apply here. 
 
In the meantime, take a few minutes to catch up on the latest FoodTech news for the month. Advice to entrepreneurs, traceability, e-commerce for food business... 
 
 
 

advice and best practices for entrepreneurs

 
"Entrepreneurs who don't work on their brand are doomed to come up against a glass ceiling... or to fail," explains Fanny Basteau, a ToasterLAB mentor. Life for entrepreneurs is not all peaches and cream. But to help you get ahead, here are this month's tastiest morcels of advice.
 
 
 

are traceability solutions going to solve all our problems?

 
Reducing food waste, shoring up consumer trust, improving food safety, reducing crop loss from disease... Digital innovations are multiplying to respond to food business problems. What new applications are emerging? What are the real advantages for food business?
 
 
 

Retail: e-commerce opens up new fronts

 
E-commerce seems to be the new El Dorado for food sales. Whether to professional clients or individuals, delivery or pick-up, local products or large-scale consumer items, almost all the players in food production and distribution are trying their hand at online sales, although with some less than desired consequences. Here are a few of the new ideas on show, and some of the unintended consequences.
 
 
 

Go deeper

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB. Next deadline is June 3rd, 2019! Apply here.

 

 

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' acceleration and post-acceleration, as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for April
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
The 5th cohort of ToasterLAB's acceleration program is currently ongoing, and a new application date is coming up fast (deadline June 3rd, 2019 - don't miss out). With spring in the air, it's the perfect time to take a moment to catch up on the latest FoodTech and AgTech news for this month. Advice to entrepreneurs, applications of innovative developments in FoodScience and in blockchain by multinationals... Start reading our review of web articles in our "All About FoodTech" bulletin below!
 

 

advice to entrepreneurs… and intrapreneurs

 
"It is important to take a moment to look at things from on high, to take inspiration from outside of your daily life and work. That's the key to success for an entrepreneur." So says Nicolas Crabot, a ToasterLAB mentor (read the article below). Of course, it's not always easy to detach your nose from the grindstone, as an entrepreneur... or intrapreneur! Here are a few key pieces of advice.
 
 
 

FoodScience, tracebility… when the big players join the game

 
"Meat" substitutes, artificial intelligence and personalisation, blockchain and optimised traceability: a source of scepticism a few years ago, these very "tech" developments are now very much on the table. The proof: multinationals are getting in on the action, often in collaboration with start-ups from throughout the world.
 
 
 

agtech: the new eldorado?

 
 
 
 

Go deeper

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB. Next deadline is June 3rd, 2019! Apply here.

 

 

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' acceleration and post-acceleration, as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for March
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
With a moment to breathe between ToasterLAB’s 5th cohort starting their acceleration program and the preparations for the next intake, we bring you this month’s bulletin of FoodTech and AgTech web news.
 
Advice to entrepreneurs and start-ups, technology in support of agriculture, innovation to curb food waste: here is our selection of articles.
 

 

Start-up advice

 
Almost all start-ups ask themselves these questions: incubator or accelerator, what’s the difference? When should I look for investors? How do I fund my development? How should I choose and work with a business mentor? While ToasterLAB continues to support young entrepreneurs (look out for the next cut-off date for applications in June), here are a few articles to feed your business:

 

Agtech: technology transforming agriculture

 
Offering funding for projects, analysing animal health, increasing sustainability… These are a few of the challenges that the world’s farmers are facing. What they all have in common is that AgTech is providing solutions. During Paris’ “Salon de l’Agriculture”, a number of these innovations were on display.​
 

FoodTech: fighting the good fight against food waste

 
Food waste costs us dearly: between 12 and 20 billion euros a year in France alone. FoodTech players are taking the bull by the horns and developing solutions that are attracting the attention of investors. 3D food printing, mobile apps, smart packaging… Here are a few initiatives attempting to turn the tide on food waste.
 

 

Go deeper

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB!

 

 

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' post-acceleration as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for February
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
We’ve just announced ToasterLAB’s latest cohort (by the way, congratulations to our new recruits: SaveEat, Pleurette, C&Dac, Obione, Biomede, and Max de Génie). So what other Foodtech and Agtech news should be on your radar for this month? What disruptive innovations are emerging throughout the food value chain?
 
Advice for entrepreneurs and startups, Agtech, lab-grown meat, retailtech: here is our selection of web-based news for February…
 

 

Advice to entrepreneurs and startup news

 
No entrepreneur wants to see his company fold. But understanding the reasons for these all too frequent pitfalls could be a way for you to avoid them. “Managing a company is like being a ship's captain. Each day, you need to plot your course, set your sails, check your crew. That's the only way you'll all make it to the next port," explains Oisin Morrin, Managing Director of Tippagral and ToasterLAB mentor. Here are a few other pieces of advice and news gleaned from the internet.

 

Agtech: agriculture that’s more and more “tech”

 
IoT, smart devices, artificial intelligence: contrary to appearances, agriculture is very keen on technology – and especially “high-tech”! Decision-making data, precision agriculture, traceability of products etc, AgTech is giving farmers innovative solutions to optimise their yields, reduce the environmental impact of their crops all the while responding to consumer demands.
 

 

What’s the future for artificial meat?

 
While the meat-free “Impossible Burger” can now claim to also be gluten-free, there is still a large question mark around the production of “in vitro” meat products, especially their potential for industrial production. At what cost? Under what regulatory constraints? And especially… with what degree of consumer acceptance? If science and innovation are progressing with the USA leading the way, the European market seems less ready (for the moment…).
 

 

RetailTech: faster, more sustainable

 
In food retail, we are witness to two innovation approaches: the first favouring user friendliness/speed, and the second responding to environmental stakes. Whether for one or the other, technological applications are emerging… and may even allow the two to find common ground.
 

 

Go deeper

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB!

 

 

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' post-acceleration as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for January
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
Last December, the ToasterLAB’s 4th acceleration session got the chance to strut their stuff in front of potential partners and investors at the ToasterLAB Demo Day. And we were proud of how far they’ve come. On the same day, we also found out the winners of the Boomer Challenge, an international food startup contest organised by Vitagora and Mondelez international… Congratulations to Max de Génie, Cérélab and TrooFoods Ltd!
 
Don’t miss out on any of the FoodTech news by catching up on our selection of web articles for this month: anti-waste, connected solutions for farmers, an identikit of a startupper…
 

 

Retail Tech: solutions for improving client experience

 
One in four French people have already tested retail drive-throughs: food e-commerce is clearly developing strongly. Many retail platforms are now diversifying their services to attract more customers: improving purchasing experience, reducing waste, improving access to quality foods etc. Here’s what the web has to say…
 

 

FoodTech: technology on our plates

 
Science has not had the last word in food business: 3D printed food, lab-grown meat, edible crockery… From France to the moon, here’s an overview of the latest food innovations.
 

 

AgTech: the agricultural renaissance

 
Responding to an increasing demand for food all the while reducing reliance on chemicals: this is the challenge faced by agriculture across the planet. Urban agriculture, online platforms, new tools for animal farming… AgTech is at the cutting edge of innovation.
 

 

Agri-Food startup and entrepreneur advice

 
Building a business is no child’s play. Far from the cliché of ramen and endless games of table tennis in the conference room, the identikit of startup founders is quite something else. Find out more about the true face of entrepreneurship, as well as the winners of the Boomer Challenge organised by Vitagora and Mondelez…
 

 

Go deeper

 

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB!

 

 

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' post-acceleration as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

Du concept au marché : Biomimetic raconte
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 

 

Qu’apporte concrètement notre programme d’accélération ToasterLAB aux start-ups ? C’est la question que nous avons posée à Biomimetic, une start-up localisée à Avignon et proposant des solutions de valorisation de bio-déchets grâce à la production de masse d'insectes, que nous avons accompagnée dans le cadre de notre 2e promo.

 

La réponse de Damien Sabatier, son fondateur et CEO : « avant ToasterLAB, nous avions la technologie et l’idée du projet. Trois mois plus tard, grâce à ToasterLAB, nous avons recueilli des clients parmi des grands comptes de l’agroalimentaire, et avons mis en place plusieurs pilotes industriels à travers la France. »

 

Comment passer du concept au marché ? Retour sur la success story de Biomimetic et son accompagnement par le programme ToasterLAB.

 

un concept innovant et seduisant...

Le concept de Biomimetic est simple – mais il fallait y penser : « reuse – transform – create ». Exploiter les déchets organiques produits par l’agroalimentaire ou l’agriculture, en les transformant directement sur site en deux produits : des larves et du fumier d’insectes, à destination de marchés tels que l’alimentation animale, le petfood (NAC), ou les produits de pêche. En d’autres termes, il s’agit d’une solution de proximité pour la valorisation de bio-déchets, selon un modèle économique circulaire et rentable.

 

Rentable ? Hé oui ! C’est là que ce concept, non seulement innovant et écologique, devient séduisant sur le plan économique : au lieu de dépenser de l’argent auprès des collecteurs pour récolter des déchets organiques, une entreprise se donne la possibilité de valoriser ses biodéchets – à hauteur de 250€ de CA par tonne de déchets générés (au lieu d’une dépense de 60€ en moyenne la tonne pour une collecte traditionnelle de déchets type fruits/légumes bruts).

 

« On estime que le ROI de l’installation de notre équipement est obtenu au bout de 2 à 3 ans. C’est une rentabilité quasi immédiate pour une entreprise », précise Damien.

 

… mais qui a besoin d’être (bien) vendable !

Pour autant, si le concept et la technologie sont bien rodés, difficile pour Damien et son équipe (pourtant bien motivés) d’attaquer le marché.

« Au début de l’été 2017, je venais de finir la phase de prototypage et commençais à réfléchir au développement commercial du concept », se rappelle Damien. « Mais j’ai vite été rattrapé par mon manque de compétences en développement commercial et marketing. C’est donc pour des fins d’accès au marché que j’ai candidaté à ToasterLAB… et que j’ai été retenu pour un début d’aventure en septembre 2017. »

Pendant les trois mois de son accélération intensive, Damien a été accompagné sur la définition de son modèle d’affaires.

 

« L’équipe de ToasterLAB nous a mis en relation avec des clients potentiels. En me confrontant à la réalité du terrain, à leurs attentes et à leurs commentaires directs, nous avons fait évoluer notre offre : ce qu’il manquait à notre modèle, c’était l’injonction d’un panel de services pour accompagner la mise en œuvre et le suivi de notre solution. »

 

« Nous avions la réponse à ‘combien ça coûte’ et à ‘combien ça va rapporter’… mais pas à ‘comment ça marche’. Conception à la carte et adaptation de la recette des produits finis aux marchés visés par l’entreprise, formation des opérateurs, redimensionnement du projet au fur et à mesure, etc. : aujourd’hui, nous pouvons affirmer que notre business model a été co-construit avec nos clients, grâce à ToasterLAB. »

 

Le rôle essentiel de prescripteur des premiers clients

Dès lors, et seulement quelques mois après le début de leur accompagnement, des grands comptes de l’industrie agroalimentaire situés dans toute la France ont rejoint le portefeuille clients de Biomimetic. Rapidement, plusieurs pilotes industriels se mettent en place, notamment chez Dijon Céréales, membre fondateur de ToasterLAB et adhérent historique de Vitagora.

 

« Après les deux mois de délais nécessaires pour fabriquer les unités, Dijon Céréales a été équipé en septembre 2018 pour une première phase avec 5 unités pilote, déployées sur 3 sites, l’un au sein d’une exploitation agricole – et deux autres unités sont installées, au siège et au sein du moulin bio d’Aiserey. »

 

« Les premiers retours sont très satisfaisants », explique Damien. « Nous imaginons déjà faire de Dijon Céréales un vrai partenaire pour assoir notre implantation en Bourgogne-Franche-Comté : c’est un excellent relais, qui souhaite aller au bout de sa démarche, et qui nous permet d’intégrer l’ensemble de la filière. »

 

Pour aller plus loin

Si la success story de Biomimetic vous parle, si vous aussi, vous souhaitez passer du concept au marché, n’hésitez pas : contactez-moi sur claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com pour savoir comment nous rejoindre et ce que notre équipe, nos mentors et partenaires peuvent apporter au développement de votre start-up !

 

 

 

Par Claire VO

Responsable du programme ToasterLAB, Claire VO est également en charge de la post-accélération de nos start-ups, ainsi que de l'accompagnement des intrapreneurs. Après 12 ans au sein de Vitagora, Claire est véritablement le "cerveau du réseau" et, dans les méandres de notre écosystème, vous aide à y voir plus... clair ! Contactez-la  claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for November
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
We are freshly back from the SIAL, the worlds biggest food trade show, and the startups of ToasterLAB’s 4th cohort are preparing for our Demo Day on December 11th in Paris. 
Don’t miss out on any of the FoodTech news by catching up on our selection of web articles for this month: FoodTech investments, future food, connected fields…
 
 

FoodTech: all about  investments

 

A FoodTech startup is created everyday in Europe! SIAL 2018 was the occasion chosen by DigitalFoodLab to reveal their latest report on “FoodTech, an opportunity for Europe’, in partnership with Vitagora, Sopexa, Eutopia and the Paris Chamber of Commerce. With this overview of European investments in the FoodTech sector, we find answers to questions such as “Who is investing, and where? What sectors are booming? Also on the web, the opinion of Christophe Breuillet, Vitagora’s director, on the essential role of FoodScience for the competitivity of France’s food sector.
 
 
 

Foodscience: science at your table

 
From lab-grown meat to printed vegetable steaks, scientists are disrupting food in order to craft responses to new consumer expectations. From Singapore to Israel, this month, take a world tour of food innovation direct from the laboratory.
 
 
 

AgTech: startups at the forefront of the green revolution

 
How to reconcile the race to increase agricultural yields with sustainable practices? Many startups in the world are focusing on this problem. Drones, intelligent weed-eating robots, hydroponics… many fascinating, and promising, innovations await us.

 

 

Advice to Food entrepreneurs and startups

 
Successfully launching a business is a not more that just having a great idea. You need to convince investors that your idea has got great potential. To test your idea with knowledgeable industry people, why not take part in a pitch contest? For example, the Boomer Challenge, organised by Vitagora and Mondelez International, is looking for exciting food ideas for the the markets of healthy seniors. You can apply until November 23rd, and be in to win cash prizes, a trip to Paris to pitch to business leaders and investors, and professional acceleration support.
 
 
​
 

Go deeper

 

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB!

 

Our previous 'All About FoodTech' bulletins:

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' post-acceleration as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

All About FoodTech : the latest FoodTech news for October
AgTech
Business development
Start-up

 
We are having an Indian summer here in France for the 4th cohort of ToasterLAB. Our new batch of startups are taking stock with the help of their mentors and experts. And the sun is also shining on our previous cohorts who have given us great feedback on what they have achieved since their acceleration. To give them, and you, a bit of food for thought, here is our latest bulletin of FoodTech and AgTech web-based news.
 
 

Retail tech: traditional retail challenged by e-commerce players

 

Supermarkets and organic farming cooperatives have something in common: their distribution model is being disrupted by e-commerce players. Amazon and the newcomer, Aurore Market, have grasped that consumer purchasing expectations are changing and they appreciate the added flexibility of e-commerce. Other lunchtime food for thought: Sodebo innovates with its FREEGO connected vending machines.
 
 
 

AgTech: moving towards low-impact agriculture around the world

 
A retail giant is jumping into urban agriculture. City-based farms are clearly a hot topic at the moment with players from throughout the food value chain. Other news in AgTech – Africa is set to lead the race towards sustainable agriculture, “tailor-made” microbes to replace chemical fertilizers, and the French state promises to invest in the “post-glyphosate” future.
 
 
 

Future food factories: traceability from the field to the supermarket

 
An international report is predicting huge growth from blockchain markets. Traceability is becoming more than ever a building block of food business. Sourcing of primary products, product life cycles, animal welfare… producers and retailers are investing strongly in the reorganisation of their supply chain.

 

 

Advice to Food entrepreneurs and startups

 
The new cohort of ToasterLAB already has its first acceleration sessions under its belt. The time is now right to meet the mentors and experts that will offer them their valuable advice. Between two sessions, here are a few ideas for further reflection.
 
 
​
 

Go deeper

 

Advice from mentors, sharing experiences with other startups: sign up below to get updates on our articles and the upcoming applications calls for ToasterLAB!

 

Our previous 'All About FoodTech' bulletins:

 
 
By Claire VO.
 
 
ToasterLAB Program Manager, Claire "VO" is in charge of our start-ups' post-acceleration as well as intrapreneurship. After 12 years with Vitagora, Claire's unparalleled knowledge of our network is put to good use while integrating our startups into the food business ecosystem!  E-mail her at: claire.vanoverstraeten@vitagora.com

 

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