The innovation hub is scouting new startups to join its customised partnership programs and support the development of next-generation solutions.

The innovation hub Generate – born to drive the development of next-generation food ingredients under the guidance of the Ingredient-Tech Platform, also known as CSM Collective – has launched a global Open Call for Startups. The aim is to identify and select the next startups with breakthrough ingredient innovations that will join the Generate program, with the ambition of accelerating the evolution of the food ecosystem. Some of the startups that have already joined the Generate program are Ingrediome, PoLoPo and DairyX.

With its first Open Call, Generate is seeking disruptive ideas, especially in relation to added-value proteins and technical ingredients, in areas such as clean label gelling agents and emulsifiers, natural origin preservatives, upcycled plant-based proteins and fibres, novel sensory and nutritional solutions for plant-based products, and liquid oil stabilisation. Generate will also welcome other transformative innovations that align with its purpose of enabling the evolution of the whole food ecosystem. 

The Open Call will end on January 15^th, 2025. Startups with a TRL (Technology Readiness Level) of 3 or higher, scalable solutions, and high-impact teams are encouraged to apply by submitting their investor presentation or company deck to the email address [email protected]. 

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed between February and March 2025 in collaboration with the Open Innovation Partner URIKA Partners. 

Selection Criteria include the relevance of the innovation for applications in the Ingredient-Tech Platform’s most relevant categories, including bakery and fine pastry, ice cream and gelato, dairy and non-dairy, plant-based and gluten-free, and the possibility of scaling the innovation by leveraging the expertise and the market proximity of CSM Collective’s companies, including CSM Ingredients, HIFOOD, Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Rubicone and Comprital. 

With a mission to foster collaboration between startups and established players, Generate offers 12-18-month programs tailored to the needs of innovative entrepreneurs. Selected startups will gain access to cutting-edge facilities, technical expertise, and commercial support, enabling them to scale their innovations and bring them to the market. 

For more information, please visit the dedicated Generate Open Call web page. 

About Generate

Generate is an innovation hub of ingredient startups and food concepts that aims to bring added value to the F&B industry. By leveraging the Ingredient-Tech Platform’s open innovation network, Generate is committed to supporting early-stage startups and developing breakthrough business models. Please visit csmingredients.com/international/en_en/our-platform/generate  to learn more.

About CSM Collective, the Ingredient-Tech Platform 

Drawing upon over a century of industry experience and leveraging significant cross-business synergies, our Ingredient-Tech Platform comprises diverse companies – CSM Ingredients, HIFOOD, Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Comprital and Rubicone – united by one collective purpose: to support the evolution of the food ecosystem enhancing human well-being and planet health. Thanks to an effective blend of our centennial expertise and worldwide reputation among customers as well as our unique open innovation approach, our advanced solutions are able not only to fulfil but also to anticipate customer needs, with the aim of enabling taste and nutrition for a new world. 

Our dedication to researching, innovating and developing ingredient solutions, our obsession for quality and our ambition to become net positive are the pillars of our capacity to develop products – including natural added value ingredients, personalised solutions, as well as mixes and preparations – which meet the highest expectations of both industrial and traditional trade customers in more than 120 countries worldwide.  

With over 2,000 employees, 22 offices, 13 manufacturing sites, 13 product development centres, four innovation centres and one global open innovation hub, we are committed to supporting the transformation of the food industry with bold innovations, purpose-driven strategies and inspired teams.

Please visit csmingredients.com/international/en_en/our-platform to learn more.