In April 2024, RootCamp, in partnership with ICEX Spain, launched the Desafía FoodTech Germany program. This six-month program aims to propel Spanish startups in the FoodTech sector by offering unique opportunities for collaboration, networking, and access to resources within the thriving German market.
As part of this initiative, we hosted the Taste of Tomorrow, spotlighting Spanish startups and the latest innovations in food technology. Held in Hannover, this full-day gathering brought together industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration in the FoodTech sector.
Spanish FoodTech startups to watch
The event comprised two rounds of startup pitches, demonstrating the latest trends and developments in the FoodTech industry. Biomixing focused on optimizing processes in bioreactors and fermenters, while Oscillum introduced biodegradable sensors designed to monitor food freshness.
The second set of pitches included Gimme Sabor, innovators in flavor-enhancing solutions, and Let it V, developers of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy. Quevana makes dairy free cheese, and Cocuus introduced a 3D bioprinting technology for creating plant-based meat alternatives.
Fostering Startup-Corporate Partnerships in AgriFood
A keynote session explored the evolving German food retail market, addressing both challenges and opportunities for FoodTech startups. This discussion provided context for the startup presentations, highlighting the need for innovation in a competitive landscape.
One of the key highlights was a panel discussion on "Cultivating Collaborations: Fostering Startup-Corporate Partnerships in AgriFood." Moderated by Philipp Rittershaus of RootCamp, the panel featured insights from Sarah Bieler from Martin Braun, David Gebhardt from Aquapurna, and Daphne Jost from K+S. This discussion echoed findings from the German Startup Monitor 2024, which revealed that only 37.5% of startups rate collaboration opportunities with established companies as good—down from 40.5% in the previous year, reflecting a continuous decline since 2020, although it has stabilized in 2024.
The panelists shared valuable insights into what corporates look for in startup collaborations. RootCamp alumni David Gebhardt emphasized the importance of having a dedicated contact person who understands the startup’s needs and can facilitate communication. Sarah Bieler and Martin Braun agreed on supporting startups through venture capital, joint projects, and trade show participation, stressing the importance of synergy in these partnerships. Daphne Jost offered a perspective from K+S, emphasizing that large corporations need to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of any collaboration, and that clear communication from startups is crucial. The panel concluded with advice on defining the framework for partnerships early on to ensure alignment on goals and resources, underscoring the importance of innovation in addressing the evolving challenges of the agrifood sector.
Interview Insights: The Future of Cultivated Meat
Following the panel, journalist Nadine Filko conducted an interview with Jordi Morales-Dalmau, the CTO of Cultimate, discussing the role of cultivated meat in sustainable food solutions. Jordi shared insights about Cultimate’s approach to producing cultivated fat, which enhances the texture and flavor of plant-based products, catering to the increasing global meat demand while addressing environmental concerns.
He noted that while reducing meat consumption would be ideal, the reality is that consumption continues to rise. Jordi also highlighted cultural differences in acceptance, with markets in Asia showing more openness to cultivated meat compared to Europe, where skepticism is more prevalent. As the conversation shifted to the broader FoodTech landscape, Jordi emphasized the need for investors who understand the long-term potential of innovative solutions. This is particularly important given current trends—projections from Forward Fooding’s FoodTech Data Navigator show a significant drop in investment for European startups and scale-ups, with a 30% decline expected by the end of this year compared to 2023, and a 70% drop since the $14.7bn raised in 2021.
A Taste of the Future
The Taste of Tomorrow event demonstrated the immense potential of FoodTech startups to transform the AgriFood landscape through innovation and sustainability. By fostering connections between startups, corporates, and investors, the Desafia program is paving the way for exciting collaborations that will shape the future of food.
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