In this panel discussion, three companies will share their experiences of scaling internationally in a context of technological, market and regulatory uncertainty. Although each company operates in a different segment of the agri-food value chain, they face similar challenges when it comes to attracting financing and securing early commercial and strategic commitments. The discussion will […]
Startups from Europe’s leading science and technology ecosystems, Technical University of Munich and Wageningen University & Research, will take the stage at F&A Next, showcasing breakthrough innovations shaping the future of food and agriculture. Emerging from Germany and the Netherlands, these science-based ventures translate cutting-edge academic research into practical, scalable solutions across the agri-food value […]
Dietary fiber has been on the public health agenda for decades, but the gap between recommended intake and actual consumption has barely moved. This session brings together three companies attacking that gap from different angles: Myota, Fiber Foods, and Whip, to map where the real opportunities are and where each go-to-market model hits its ceiling. […]
Scaling a FoodTech startup is not a continuation of early success — it is a complete shift in capability. Most startups stumble not because of technology, but because they underestimate the operational realities of scaling. Drawing on decades of experience running and developing large‑scale global businesses at Cargill, and mentoring and advising numerous Startups, this […]
Drawing on real-world experience, we will walk participants through the most common red flags, key evaluation criteria, and what “investment-ready” actually means in practice. The session includes a simulated “due diligence case,” where we dissect pitch decks, commercial pressure points, and include a critical—yet often overlooked—data room drill, highlighting typical pitfalls and winning signals.
Artificial intelligence and flavor may seem worlds apart, yet AI is poised to reshape a domain that shapes much of what the world eats every day. To reshape how flavor is understood, created, and scaled. From decoding complex sensory data and formalizing the reasoning that drives the work of flavor experts, to enabling AI-driven formulation, a new generation of tools is emerging that […]
Scaling remains a key bottleneck for many food biotech companies. While technologies mature in the lab, moving to commercial scale is often constrained by access to infrastructure, high capital requirements, and limited availability of suitable facilities. This interactive session focuses on how entrepreneurs navigate that phase, and the role that national initiatives could play to facilitate growth. Scaling involves […]
Today, growth investors require clear proof of scalable revenue. At the same time, AgriFood innovation is often capital intensive and almost always dependent on relatively long sales cycles, particularly when addressing large corporate buyers. Procurement processes can be complex and commercial validation takes time. This creates a strategic tension: The discussion will unpack how startups can navigate this chasm while positioning […]
A comprehensive toolbox of sustainable crop protection solutions for farmers is essential, but critical points of friction in collaborations slow the delivery of innovations to growers. Join us for a frank discussion on these challenges and to explore research, partnering, and investment strategies at Bayer that seek to deliver breakthrough synthetic and biological tools that meet the real-world needs farmers. Moderated by Florian Jupe.
Join this session to get a better understanding the characteristics of Japan’s food and agriculture market and startup ecosystem, and how it differs from Europe. You will hear: Moderated by Rick Tervoort, Norinchukin Bank
Each year, Wageningen Social & Economic Research Institute delivers in-depth, high-impact research that is used by governments, global institutions and corporations to navigate complex social and economic challenges. However, there is also a clear need for readily available robust insights on rapidly changing sustainability & market conditions. Wageningen Food Views is changing that. By combining […]
The panel will focus on how innovative solutions developed by companies such as Néboda, Bio2Coat and Ines Optics generate measurable economic value, improving efficiency, reducing costs and enabling sustainable business models. The discussion will highlight why innovation must ultimately translate into profitability to be scalable and have long-term impact. Supported by ICEX
In this break‑out session, start‑ups will gain practical insight into the different financing instruments Rabobank offers to support growth at every stage. Members of the Start & Scale Up team and Rabobank Ventures team will provide a concise overview of available funding options, ranging from early‑stage financing to growth capital, and explain how these instruments fit the […]
In an interview with Wageningen University & Research, two entrepreneurs; CEO Rieks Smook from Grassa and CEO Stephani Lobnig from Aquanzo, and Investment Director Daan Wilms van Kersbergen from Yield Lab Europe, ideas are exchanged regarding the added value of collaboration, barriers standing in the way of collaboration, and possible solutions to these barriers. To conclude, Wageningen University & […]
The EU lags behind in translating food innovation into commercially viable products — a gap that current legislation is unlikely to fix. The New Foods RegLab, launched by the Ministry of Future Affairs together with Atova Regulatory Consulting and AXON lawyers, addresses this by providing food innovators with regulatory guidance, tools and roadmap support for novel food dossiers. Through an interactive workshop using design thinking methods, […]
Scaling bioprocesses from lab to industrial scale remains one of the most persistent bottlenecks in fermentation-based food and biotech innovation. While Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) offer powerful tools to reduce time-to-scale and increase process robustness, selecting and implementing the right technology at the right moment is far from straightforward. This breakout session provides a practical and interactive […]
In the Foodvalley region, leading international corporates such as Kraft Heinz, ADM, and Flora Food Group actively collaborate with startups and scale-ups to accelerate innovation. But how do these collaborations actually work in practice? And more importantly: how can you, as a startup, make sure you are selected? In this interactive session, corporates will share their approach, selection criteria, and […]
