A Recap of The Sweden FoodTech 2023 Big Meet ‘Un-Conference’: A Celebration of FoodTech Innovation
This year, we were glad to be a strategic partner of the Big Meet event organized by our friends from [...]
Recap of the 2023 Food 4 Future Exhibition in Bilbao
Last week, we proudly participated in the 2023 Food 4 Future exhibition held in Bilbao, Spain. This event brought together [...]
The 2022 FoodTech 500: recap of the official unveiling event in Berlin
The FoodTech industry is a rapidly changing landscape, marked by continuous progress and innovation year after year. As part of our European Unveiling 2022 FoodTech 500 Tour, this time we collaborated with Kitchentown to host an event in Berlin on the 20th of April, bringing together members of the German FoodTech community to celebrate the release of this year's list.
Release of the AgriFoodTech in LATAM 2023 Ecosystem Report
We are excited to announce the official winners of the 2022 FoodTech 500, recognizing the top companies shaping the future of food! After carefully reviewing all submitted applications, we are proud to share the complete ranking of all 500 companies.
Cellular Agriculture – Where are we heading to?
Cellular agriculture, also known as "cell-based" or "lab-grown" foods for the development of animal-based protein, is an emerging technology that [...]
The 2022 FoodTech 500: recap of the official unveiling event in London
To continue with our European Unveiling 2022 FoodTech 500 Tour, we also hosted an event on March 22nd at our London FoodTech Innovation Hub, where we brought together some part of the UK FoodTech community to celebrate the launch of this year's FoodTech 500 list.
Vertical farming Q&A: Where do we go from here?
Vertical farming has been lauded for its potential to provide fresh produce throughout the year, regardless of location or climate. However, recent challenges have presented the industry with some obstacles to overcome. A reduction in venture funding and rising energy costs have led to a series of setbacks, including layoffs, delayed farm construction, and even business closures. In the following interview with Sepehr Achard, Chief Executive Officer of iGrow News, a leading news provider for indoor farming and controlled environment agriculture, we understand what has led us to this point and what to expect moving forward.
The 2022 FoodTech 500: Forward Fooding announces the full-ranked list!
We are excited to announce the official winners of the 2022 FoodTech 500, recognizing the top companies shaping the future of food! After carefully reviewing all submitted applications, we are proud to share the complete ranking of all 500 companies.
2022 ushers in the FoodTech $100M Club
As the industry continues to expand, the individual companies within it have demonstrated remarkable growth, some collecting $100 million or more. To recognize these pioneers and their exceptional work, we've introduced the $100 million Club, a new classification within the FoodTech 500 that gathers inspiring companies with $100 million in raised funding or more under their belt.
Unlocking the Potential of Plant Molecular Farming
What if we could grow a gram of pure protein extract inside a plant? Molecular farming proposes to do just that. Plant molecular farming (PMF) is an application of biotechnology that traditionally involves using genetically modified plants to produce useful products such as pharmaceuticals, industrial enzymes and vaccines. Genetically modified plants are used as “bioreactors” to produce the desired products, which can then be harvested and purified for use. Recently, the sector started to make headlines as a few companies gained prominence for their use of this technology in the food industry
The winners of the second edition of the global FoodTech Challenge!
On 17 January 2023, the global FoodTech Challenge (FTC) announced four winners for the competition’s second edition during an awards ceremony at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). After a shortlisting process that started in 2022, which saw Forward Fooding involved as an outreach partner and participating in the early stages of the selection process, a judging committee awarded a pooled prize of up to US $2 Million to Aquagrain, Orbisk, Revoltech, and Sustainable Planet. These companies will now receive funding to scale up their new businesses in the UAE.
An exclusive interview with NEOM: 2022 FoodTech 500 sponsor
The 4th edition of FoodTech 500 is taking off and we are excited to partner with NEOM for the third consecutive year to support the best international AgriFoodTech entrepreneurs.
Shedding some light on the regulatory landscape for alternative proteins
The alternative protein landscape is rapidly evolving. With new ingredients and technologies being employed to create products that are increasingly similar to their animal-based counterparts, entrepreneurs are pushing the boundaries of what we eat. However, regulatory challenges can sometimes stand in the way of commercial release and expansion, hindering entrepreneurs' growth plans.
How FoodTech is boosting food security in the GCC region
In the wake of a global energy crisis brought on by the war in Ukraine, Western countries are once again turning to oil and gas producers in the Gulf in order to diversify their energy sources. Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are back in the spotlight, with new opportunities to remain pivotal players in the decades to come. But energy isn't the only commodity reshaping the Gulf states. There is a food crisis looming on the horizon, and with it the threat of an uncertain future.
The 2022 FoodTech 500 ranking is almost here: finalists’ overview
Last year marked a major milestone for the FoodTech 500. Thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide sent in their applications (2,253, to be precise), more than in any previous year. The outcome of the 2022 edition was just as impressive. Once again, this year we received 2,000+ applications from 82 countries, representing a broad range of solutions across all areas of FoodTech.
Barcelona FoodTech Meetup recap on Food & Biotechnology: The future of nutrition
On 23rd Nov 2022, we hosted our last Meetup of the year in our Barcelona Food & FoodTech Innovation Hub, in partnership with Talent Garden. We brought together a mix of FoodTech startups, investors and experts to deep dive into Food & Biotechnology: The Future of nutrition. We enjoyed sharing, learning, and enabling meaningful connections between like-minded people working to make our Food System more sustainable.
Vertical farming consolidation: the advantages and challenges
This wave of interest in Vertical/Indoor farming solutions could be attributed, albeit partially, to rising concern about climate change’s impacts on food production. Vertical farming is seen by many as a compelling alternative to traditional resource-intensive agriculture. Its sustainability promises, paired with the growing demand for shorter, more reliable supply chains, have contributed to the sector gaining traction over the years.
London FoodTech Meetup recap: The 2022 UK AgriFoodTech Ecosystem Report is out!
On 20th Oct 2022, we were pleased to host a buzzy #FoodTechMeetup at our London FoodTech Innovation Hub in partnership with Huckletree, for the launch of our latest report on the UK AgriFoodTech Ecosystem.
Milan FoodTech Meetup recap: Impact of new technologies transforming the Foodservice industry
On 12th Oct 2022, we hosted our third FoodTech Meetup in our Milan Hub, in partnership with Talent Garden. After our last event dedicated to Alternative Protein, we decided to deep dive into the Foodservice tech area.
Precision farming – what’s next?
Agriculture is perhaps the sector that has been and will suffer the most from climate change. With 72% of all water withdrawals used by agriculture and 12 million hectares of land lost to desertification, land degradation and drought every year, a revolution in the primary sector is needed in order to be able to face upcoming difficult years.
Food preservation 2.0
A deepdive into novel ways for food manufacturers and retailers to preserve food while keeping it tasty. It is no secret that we human beings are not very good at making good use of the natural resources we have, especially when it comes to food.
Food Waste: Understanding the issue before taking action
1.6 billion tonnes of food are wasted yearly, one-third of global food production. To give you a clear idea of [...]
Alternative protein: what about insects?
According to EIT Food, it is estimated that by 2054, roughly 11% of our global protein consumption will consist of edible insects. This is not just a sign of preferences that evolve along with our world, but also a coordinated response to a collective concern.
What does the future of fertilizer tech look like?
The global agrifood market is in a crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a “perfect storm”: the war in Ukraine, the COVID pandemic, and climate change are among the many global emergencies that are exerting stress on food supplies to untenable levels.
FoodTech Challenge 2022 – Exclusive interview
FoodTech Challenge is a global competition that seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations that are on the cusp of transforming food and traditional agricultural practices efficiently and sustainably.
Vertical Farming: Is growing up one of the key solutions?
Forward Fooding Data shows that investors throughout the world further their investment in the vertical farming industry as the sector has already totaled nearly USD 1.4Bn in the first 5 months of 2022 compared to USD 2Bn throughout 2021.
Food personalization: a new key competitive advantage to F&B companies?
In the food and beverage industry, personalization is also emerging as a key trend. Consumers are demanding more control over their diets, with specific recommendations based on their health and goals. According to Innova Market Survey, 64% of global consumers demand more personalized nutrition and products, tailored to their lifestyles.
The 2022 AgriFoodTech in the Middle East & Wider Region Report is out!
Carrying on our in-depth exploration of global AgriFoodTech ecosystems and after releasing reports on Spain and Italy, we are now glad to share our new report on the Middle East AgriFoodTech ecosystem. Once again, we collaborated to draft it with our FoodTech 500 sponsor and now long-time partner NEOM, the Saudi Arabian visionary urban project aiming to integrate tech innovations to the food system and key ecosystem enabler in the Middle East AgriFoodTech scene.
Barcelona FoodTech Meetup recap: How AgriFoodTech can contribute to build a more efficient Food Supply Chain
On 22nd June 2022, we were super excited to host in our Barcelona Food & FoodTech Innovation Hub, in partnership with Talent Garden. We brought together a mix of FoodTech startups, investors and experts to deep dive on the topic and we had a great turnout of over 80+ people coming from all over Spain and beyond. We absolutely enjoyed sharing, learning, and enabling meaningful connections among like-minded people who want to build a more efficient and sustainable food supply chain.
Is agtech the solution to the global wheat crisis?
Since the crisis began in February, Ukrainian farms and ports have been disrupted and economic sanctions have been imposed on Russia.
Milan FoodTech Meetup: The Future of Alternative Protein in Italy
On 25th May 2022, we were super excited to host our second FoodTech Meetup in our Milan Hub, in partnership with Talent Garden. After our first event dedicated to celebrating the unveiling of the 2021 FoodTech 500, this time we focused on Alternative Protein and in particular on the challenges and opportunities ahead in the Italian market.
Office catering, vending machines and beyond: new ways of eating at work
As the daily routine of commuting has definitely been halted by lockdowns and occasional quarantines, our office life has also seen major changes and, with it, the ways we consume food during working hours.
Tackling Food Waste & Supply Chain Challenges in the UAE and MENA region
On May 12th 2022, we hosted an amazing conversation among top international startups working in the food waste and supply chain space on making the food system more efficient and sustainable in the UAE and MENA region.
Seafood alternatives: an ocean of opportunities
We are now expanding on some of the latest innovations in the seafood alternatives space that are contributing to the alternative protein transition.
How Alternative Protein startups can solve the challenges of UAE and MENA Food Systems
On April 25th 2022, we hosted an amazing conversation among top international Alternative Protein startups on making food production more efficient and sustainable in the UAE and MENA region.
How Agtech startups can solve the challenges of UAE and MENA Food Systems
On April 12th 2022, we hosted an amazing conversation among top international AgTech startups on making food production more efficient and sustainable in the UAE and MENA region.
Food delivery consolidation: who’s really behind the wheel?
With over $55.5B invested globally according to our FoodTech Data Navigator, 2021 marks a record-breaking year in AgriFoodTech investment, with a 78% increase over 2020! Such exponential growth is accompanied by changing market dynamics, and as the sector is gaining maturity, some areas of AgriFoodTech are showing signs of consolidation.
Welcome to Milan’s first Food & FoodTech Innovation Hub
After pioneering in London in 2018 and Barcelona in 2021, we have chosen Milan as a new hub to fuel the growth of the Italian FoodTech ecosystem, in partnership with Talent Garden.
The 2021 FoodTech 500: recap of the official unveiling event in London
On March 16th 2022 we officially revealed the full-ranked list of this year’s FoodTech 500 in our London FoodTech Innovation Hub – read the full recap of the event below.
Rising despite the challenges: inspiring Women and Minority founders in the AgriFoodTech sector
As the FoodTech 500 provides a snapshot of the global AgriFoodTech sector, we had a look at the stats about where the 500 listed startups and scale-ups stand in terms of diversity and representation.
The 2021 FoodTech 500: recap of the official unveiling event in Milan
On March 3rd, 2022, we held the Unveiling Milan event of the FoodTech500 2021 list, at our FoodTech Innovation Hub in Milan, hosting speakers representing some of the top-ranking companies in Italy. The speakers joined us to share their journey so far, their visions and objectives for the future as well as their insights on the AgriFoodTech landscape.
‘Accelerating FoodTech Innovation from the Mediterranean region’ event recap
Last week we hosted at our FoodTech Innovation Hub in Barcelona the “Accelerating FoodTech Innovation from the Mediterranean” event, in partnership with KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub. It’s been another chance to demonstrate the power of collaboration.
How the 2021 FoodTech 500 companies advance the Sustainable Development Goals agenda
The global challenges that our world is facing are putting at risk its social and natural resources. Preventing their most negative consequences from materializing and enabling companies to have a positive impact while making good business is precisely why the Sustainable Development Goals are so important for the private sector.
The 2021 FoodTech 500: recap of the official unveiling event in Barcelona
On February 15th, 2022, we held the Unveiling Barcelona event of the FoodTech500 2021 list, at our FoodTech Innovation Hub, hosting speakers representing some of the top-ranking companies in Spain. The speakers joined us to share their journey so far, their visions and objectives for the future as well as their insights on the AgriFoodTech landscape.
The 2021 FoodTech 500: Forward Fooding announces the full-ranked list!
We are over the moon to unveil to the world the official 2021 FoodTech 500 winners! Download the white paper and discover the entrepreneurial talent behind this year's FoodTech 500. When we first set out to create the FoodTech 500, we wanted to develop the definitive list of the top 500 companies [...]
Upcoming FoodTech IPOs: forecasts from the FoodTech 500
2021 marks a record-breaking year for AgriFoodTech. Indeed, it saw $50.4B invested in 2021 globally, representing a +67% increase since 2020, and a +55.3% CAGR between 2017 and 2021. And the 500 International AgriFoodTech companies selected for the FoodTech 500 2021 are no different [...]
An exclusive interview with NEOM: 2021 FoodTech 500 sponsor
One of the elements we enjoy the most here at Forward Fooding about working with AgriFoodTech startups is being [...]
Why fungi fermentation is a blooming innovation
As the sector keeps growing and new technologies continue to emerge, the alternative protein space is becoming increasingly complex to understand. In this article, we take a step back in order to try and explain what the alternative protein sector is all about, and where it is heading.
Introducing the LATAM FoodTech Ecosystem Map!
SPANISH VERSION Estamos encantados de presentar el primer mapa del ecosistema FoodTech de LATAM, extraído del FoodTech Data Navigator. ¡Vea [...]
Introducing Barcelona’s FoodTech Innovation Hub official members
Barcelona's Foodtech Innovation Hub is the first shared workspace dedicated to the most avant-garde food and Food Tech companies in Spain. In partnership with Talent Garden, Barcelona's hub is the ideal space for startups to connect with entrepreneurs and collaborate with established organizations and other startups in the food space.
An exclusive interview with DOLE: 2021 FoodTech 500 gold sponsor
At Forward Fooding, we believe in the power of innovation and collaboration to power the food tech revolution and transform [...]
BCN FoodTech Meetup recap: Vegan Entrepreneurs Network
Last week we hosted our first in Barcelona FoodTech Meetup in collaboration with Vevolution. We absolutely had a blast sharing, learning and enabling meaningful connections among like-minded people who want to create a positive impact on our food system!
The 2021 FoodTech 500 pack is here: the finalists at a glance
For this year's edition, we received 2,253 applications from international AgriFoodTech companies from over 85 countries, compared to 63 last year, which confirms our belief that the AgriFoodTech sector is becoming even more global. Moreover, the amount of applications received is a signal that even in times of uncertainty, a solid entrepreneurial cluster can become a truly resilient one.
Understanding the Future of protein
As the sector keeps growing and new technologies continue to emerge, the alternative protein space is becoming increasingly complex to understand. In this article, we take a step back in order to try and explain what the alternative protein sector is all about, and where it is heading.
Barcelona’s Food Innovation Hub Launch Party recap
SPANISH VERSION Después de varios meses de trabajo duro, estamos muy emocionados de anunciar que el pasado 1 de julio [...]
Innovation to transform our food system: the contribution of the Agri-Food tech community- Recap
On June 16th, 2021, in margin of the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021, we held an Independent Dialogue with [...]
Dreamers & Fooders, el equipo del FoodTech Innovation Hub de Barcelona
(ENGLISH version below) El horizonte está siempre demasiado lejos. Nosotros lo queremos un poco más cerca. Forward Fooding nace de [...]
Barcelona’s FoodTech Innovation Hub: Members’ Meet & Greet recap event
After several months of hard work, and launching our first earth-friendly menu, we are over the moon to announce that [...]
2020 FoodTech 500: Food Waste Webinar – Recap
On April 21st, 2021, we held the fifth webinar of our series with some of the most brilliant minds working [...]
[Partner announcement] 2foods, a brand from Japan that aims to expand globally
TWO Inc, a Tokyo-headquartered wellness company, has just launched its new “healthy junk food” concept to offer Japanese consumers nutritious [...]
Earth-friendly menu at our Barcelona’s FoodTech Innovation Hub
At Forward Fooding we care about the future of our planet and that's why part of our mission is to [...]
2020 FoodTech 500: Vertical Farming Webinar – Recap
On March 31st, 2021, we held the fourth webinar of our series with some of the most inspiring minds working in [...]
2020 FoodTech 500: Alternative Proteins Webinar – Recap
On March 17th, 2021, we held a fascinating webinar with some of the most inspiring minds working in the field [...]
An exclusive piece from Rothamsted Enterprises: 2020 FoodTech 500 sponsor
Making agriculture part of the solution by Claire Flawn, Rothamsted Enterprises Energy from manure, tools for smarter pest management, and [...]
2020 FoodTech 500: Women in Food Tech Webinar – Recap
On March 3rd, 2021, we held a fascinating webinar with the strong voices of women in Food Tech. All our [...]
