The Fortune 500 of AgriFoodtech
What is the Foodtech 500
Inspired by the Fortune 500, Forward Fooding is proud to present the FoodTech 500, the world’s first definitive list of the global entrepreneurial talent at the intersection between food, technology and sustainability.
The FoodTech 500 showcases selected international AgriFoodTech startup and scaleup companies using a unique methodology to rank them based on their business size, digital footprint, and sustainability practices.
THE FOODTECH 500 IN NUMBERS
+11.700
Applications Received to Date
+2,500
AgriFoodTech Startup and Scaleup Companies Showcased to Date
+95
Countries Represented Among the Winners
+20
Publicly Traded Companies Among the Winners
+5
Official Sponsors
+50
Media Partners
+350M
Cumulated Monthly Readership
+180
Countries Reached Applications Wise
OFFICIAL 2025-2026 SPONSOR
Forward Fooding is also pleased to welcome pladis as 2025-2026 Official Sponsor of the FoodTech 500. pladis is a global snacking company, home to brands like McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker. Formed in 2016 by Yıldız Holding, pladis is the proud custodian of over 300 years of baking and confectionary heritage. By partnering with the FoodTech 500, pladis is celebrating its newly launched Accelerator Programme powered by Yildiz Ventures. The pladis Accelerator programme, powered by Yıldız Ventures, is here to help FoodTech companies scale, collaborate and innovate with industry leaders.
SPONSORS FROM PAST EDITIONS
“We are delighted to be ranked in the top two companies on the FoodTech 500 among the other innovators that are creating a better future for food. We think the FoodTech 500 is great for FoodTech startups because it raises awareness on food technology and innovation, and provides data and insights for investors and other innovators looking to support the technology and bring it to market.”
Merav Koren
VP of Marketing, TIPA
“We think the FoodTech 500 is fantastic for FoodTech startups because it allows you to understand how you perform in comparison to others and offers a significant exposure to the industry stakeholders. Working with the Forward Fooding team has been fantastic, meeting a team of like-minded entrepreneurs passionate about shaping the future of food and exchanging experiences was very valuable to us.”
Matija Zuli
Founder & CEO, Agrivi
“We were delighted to make it to no. 18 of the FoodTech 500. It has really given us the recognition we were looking for. With our innovative 3D Food Printing solutions, we are challenging the Food Industry of today and it is amazing and exciting to be part of this list. We hope to become a “role model” for other companies entering this space.“
Nina Holf
CEO, ByFlow
“The FoodTech 500 initiative covers the key elements of our business: food, tech and sustainability. It is a well-curated platform that gives visibility to food tech companies and it is also a platform for discussion, exchange and networking. Working with the Forward Fooding team has been a true pleasure; they are very friendly and professional people.”
Max Loessi
Co-Founder & CEO, Agrilution
‘We appreciate how the FoodTech 500 list takes people, planet, purpose, in addition to profit, into account when assessing company achievements. We think the FoodTech 500 is fantastic for FoodTech startups because it provides a think tank that supports food tech innovations as we grow from a start-up to an emerging growth phase company. Working with the Forward Fooding team has been a true partnership to share not only the AeroFarms story but also other successes in order to be able to serve as an inspiration for all of us on how we can do better.”
Marc Oshima
Co-founder & CMO, AeroFarms
“We are absolutely delighted to have been a part of the 2020 FoodTech 500. Forward Fooding really enables meaningful collaborations and connections to occur that transcends through to real business outcomes, all having a positive outcome for the planet. With over 60 countries represented, we personally have been able to get in touch with amazing like-minded entrepreneurs, who are genuinely passionate about creating the future of our food system, enabling us to research new ideas and share valuable experiences!”
Rachel Hugh
Co-Founder, The Vurger Co
“The FoodTech 500 draws attention to a fast-growing industry, and adds another level of credibility to every company that appears on the list. We’ve been fortunate and honored to be included in the prior list editions – this is THE list for FoodTech.”
Lynette Kucsma
Co-Founder & CMO, Natural Machines
“The FoodTech 500 is the who’s who of the most exciting innovation in food tech. Being featured and invited to participate in community events is great validation for Winnow’s market leading food waste AI tracking technology which is trusted by chefs in 45 countries.”
David Jackson
Director of Marketing & Public Affairs, Winnow
“The FoodTech 500 is spotlighting the top innovators in the industry. Since our humble beginnings, Dole has always prioritized nutrition, sustainability, and the intersection of the two. Over the years, we’ve seen the important role technology plays in our business. With this being the world’s first list of global talent at the intersection between food, technology, and sustainability, we thought it fitting to join forces and celebrate others in the ever-growing industry.’’
Barbara De Penanster
Global Head of Dole Ventures
“Being part of the Forward Fooding community since 2020 allowed us to connect with fellow members and leaders quicker and really create a sense of community. Thank you for your great work and for putting more eyes on our mission.”
Chloe Anderson
Food Science Manager, Journey Foods
Sponsorship Opportunities
The FoodTech 500 provides a unique opportunity for your organisation to play a true leadership role in the global FoodTech entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Why partnering with the FoodTech 500:
- Build Your Positioning & Thought Leadership
- Nurture Relationships with the most relevant companies for your organization
- Drive Strategic Engagement
“Sponsoring the FoodTech 500 really aligns with our commitment to innovation. It’s all about driving transformative change in FoodTech, health, and sustainability. We see it as a great platform for fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry. It really aligns with our vision by shining a spotlight on companies that are driving sustainability, and innovation in the food industry. This partnership is a perfect fit for us, as it reflects our commitment to supporting visionary startups and helping build a brighter, more sustainable, nutritious and delicious future for food.”
Tim Ingmire, VP Global Innovation & Technology, Pladis“First and foremost, FoodTech 500 adds immediate value by allowing us to share intelligence and data that will power our innovation through the next 12 months. This platform promotes a community of thinkers, dreamers and makers who can help NEOM realize our incredibly ambitious goals. We hope that the discussions with our fellow partners will flourish into practical programs much faster than we would imagine. Besides, who doesn’t like a handy list of who’s who in one of the fastest-growing fields in the tech world?”
Dr. Andrew Yip, Senior Manager, NEOM“The FoodTech 500 is spotlighting the top innovators in the industry. Since our humble beginnings, Dole has always prioritized nutrition, sustainability, and the intersection of the two. Over the years, we’ve seen the important role technology plays in our business. With this being the world’s first list of global talent at the intersection between food, technology, and sustainability, we thought it fitting to join forces and celebrate others in the ever-growing industry.’’
Barbara Guerpillon, Global Head of DOLE Ventures
media Partners
