🥗 300+ Startups Redefining Food for Health

We all need to eat, but what we eat is becoming more important than ever.

Consumers are shifting from simply filling their plates to fuelling their health, with growing demand for foods that do more than just taste good.

From functional ingredients to gut-friendly formulations and longevity-focused nutrition, the future of food is about leveraging science and technology to deliver real benefits for both people and planet.

And Food for Health is a global priority, shaped by both regional and worldwide challenges.

And so to uncover fresh talents, accelerate new technologies and recognise the work of Founders around the world, we’re partnering with industry giants Givaudan and Nestlé to launch the 2025 edition of the FoodTech World Cup - advancing Food for Health.

In this week’s edition, we cover:

• How to enter the FoodTech World Cup

• 100 Food for Health startups to know

• 325-strong list of startups worldwide 

• 12 investors highlight emerging Trends

🥙 325 Frontrunners in Food for Health

Here we highlight 100 of the ‘ones to watch’ in 10 categories across Food for Health.

These pioneers are redefining how we approach nutrition, wellness, and sustainability through cutting-edge science and bold innovation.

But we’re just scratching the surface of companies in the space, as this week we tracked over 320 startups and scaleups.

Head this way to discover the full list of companies and their technologies driving innovation at the intersection of people, planet, and health.

💸 12 Food for Health Trends to Watch

Food as Medicine is gaining traction, with startups leveraging microbiome research and personalised nutrition to tackle chronic diseases. Multi-functional ingredients are enhancing taste, nutrition, and sustainability. Next-gen sugar alternatives focus on gut health and clean-label formulations.

Longevity, cognitive nutrition, and weight management are driving innovation, especially with the rise of GLP-1 drugs. NutriTech and functional beverages are integrating AI and biomarker tracking for precision health.

We caught up with 12 investors to unpack some of the biggest trends in Food for Health and take a closer look at the shift towards data-driven, science-backed solutions that redefine how food supports wellness, metabolism, and long-term health.

Hear from 12 investors including Unovis Asset Management, Seaya, Great Circle VC, FLORA Ventures, PeakBridge, Thia Ventures, Nordic Foodtech and Big Idea Ventures

🏆 Enter the FoodTech World Cup 

Following its thrilling debut in 2024, where Italy’s Foreverland Food, Ghana’s Legendary Foods and Argentina’s Nat4Bio were crowned winners, the FoodTech World Cup returns.

This year’s edition promises to be the ultimate tournament to showcase the world’s best startups in Food for Health.

A global search for the boldest solutions across Healthy Ageing, Glucose Management, Improved Immunity, Weight Management, Gut Health and Energy has begun.

Are you working on the solution and want to pitch it to Nestlé, Givaudan and leading investors in the space? Apply today for the chance to be shortlisted as one of the 40 Semi-Finalists or 10 Finalists.

If you’re an early stage Climate Deep Tech looking to finance your startup or want to catch up with fellow Climate investors, then you won’t want to miss the HackSummit in Lausanne this May 15-16th.

With over 100s of early-to-growth stage Climate Tech investors attending - including Angels, VCs, Banks and Asset Managers - you’re guaranteed bump into the who’s who of climate investing.

They’ll all be heading to Lausanne primed for two day’s of discovery and deal making. Let’s make sure you’re in the room too.

We hope to see you there too.

Laura at Hack

Tell us, what did you think of today’s email?

Love it 😍  Meh 🫤  Hate it ☹️