[March 2024, Lausanne, Switzerland] Givaudan and FoodHack are joining forces to host the FoodTech WC – A global tournament to uncover the industry’s most talented entrepreneurs. 

Applications are now open until 11th April, 2024.

Our food system is broken. As the climate crisis takes hold, the race is on to find new ways to feed growing populations sustainably with healthy, nutritious food around the world. 

Through investment and collaboration, bold Founders are leveraging fresh technologies to transform the food system at scale and catalyze meaningful impact across borders.

By launching a worldwide tournament, the FoodTech World Cup will tap into local networks to spotlight breakthrough Founders across 6 regions on a global stage to accelerate their growth. 

Alexandre Bastos, Head of Open Innovation and Ventures at Givaudan, said: “by partnering with FoodHack and the HackSummit we hope to uncover never-before-seen solutions created by  exceptional, entrepreneurial Founders who are driving real-world impact for a healthier, more sustainable future for all.”

Take part in the FoodTech World Cup

To uncover the next rising stars and superstars of FoodTech, Givaudan, and FoodHack invite Stealth to Seed startups to pitch their solutions in:

• Food Circularity: Side streams, upcycling and the circular economy
• AI and Digital Tools: Disrupting NPD and consumer understanding
• Sustainable Proteins: Alternatives to nurture and delight 10 billion people
• Personalised Nutrition: To effectively address ‘food for health’
• Food Safety and Traceability: Technologies across the value chain
• Novel Food Product Concepts: CPG ‘brands of the future’ to close the consumer gap
• New Ingredients and Technologies: Improving sensory experiences, health, nutrition

The FoodTech World Cup Qualifiers will run as 6 Demo Days, one for each region, across Asia, Europe, Latin America, MENA, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sixty shortlisted Founders will present their vision and demonstrate their startup’s impact potential to a lineup of top-tier judges, including: 

North America:

• Steven Finn at Siddhi Capital
• Stephanie Dorsey at E2JDJ
• Sarah Al Sayadi at Givaudan
• Steve Molino at Clear Current Capital

Sub-Saharan Africa:

• Hakeem Jimo at Proveg
• Abby Stern at Holocene
• Romain Diaz at Satgana
• Andrew Meredith at Givaudan
• Maxime Bayen at Catalyst Fund
  

APAC:

• Jolene Lum at Nurasa
• Mark Khan at Omnivore
• Ai Mey Chuah at Givaudan
• Michal Klar at Better Bite Ventures

Europe:

• Christian Guba at FoodLabs
• Ryan Grant Little, Angel Investor
• Susanne Steghoefer at Givaudan
• Susana Reber at Nestlé R+D Accelerator
• Bodil Siden at Kost Capital

Latin America:

• Matias Peire at GRIDX
• DJ Lampitt at Ideation Colab
• Flávia Angella at Givaudan
• Camila Petignat at The Yield Lab

MENA:

• Nader Amiri at Homegrown
• Amir Zaidman at The Kitchen
• Gil Horsky at FLORA Ventures
• Melody Violton at CPT Capital
• Olga Bezukladova at Givaudan

After an in-depth shortlisting process, the 12 most promising solutions (2 per region) will be invited to pitch in the final at the HackSummit in Lausanne, Switzerland, on June 13-14th, where the winners will be crowned.

Enter your startup into the FoodTech World Cup today.

About Givaudan

Powered by innovation and creativity, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing aims to shape the future of food by becoming the co-creation partner of choice to its customers. Built on its global leadership position in flavours and taste, the Company goes beyond to create food experiences that do good and feel good, for body, mind, and planet. With an expanded portfolio of products across flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions, and a deep knowledge of the food ecosystem, Givaudan’s passion is to collaborate with customers and partners to develop game changing innovations in food and beverage. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. 

Learn more about how we are shaping the future of food at www.givaudan.com/taste-wellbeing

About FoodHack

FoodHack is one of the world’s largest FoodTech communities. Where FoodTech professionals come to get the inside scoop on industry news and meet partners, friends, mentors, investors – and everything in between. 

From a weekly newsletter, to ambassador-run Meetups and the annual HackSummit – FoodHack makes it easier for purpose-driven food founders to access the funding, network, and knowledge they need to successfully launch and scale their businesses.

Join the community www.foodhack.global

About HackSummit

The HackSummit is Europe’s largest gathering of ClimateTech builders and investors, taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland on June 13-14.

Not just any Climate Conference, The HackSummit is a full week of activities and gatherings where Climate innovation takes over the lakeside city of Lausanne.

Join the startup pitches, fireside chats, and debates with industry frontrunners to get exclusive insights, early signals, and first-hand data to leapfrog your competition.

Meet us in Lausanne: www.hacksummit.co