🍽️ 320+ Startups Redefining Food for Health

Food is becoming the next frontier in health innovation.

With chronic diseases on the rise and consumers demanding more from their diets, startups are racing to turn everyday meals into powerful tools for prevention, performance, and longevity.

From food prescriptions and metabolic modulators to next-gen sugar alternatives and cognitive nutrition, the convergence of food, biotech, and AI is driving a new wave of solutions.

The rise of GLP-1 drugs is only accelerating this shift, creating demand for functional foods and supplements that work alongside pharmaceuticals.

Keep on scrolling for a list of 320+ startups reshaping the future of food and health, how to enter the FoodTech World Cup and hear from 12 investors looking for the next big breakthrough in the space.

12 Verticals to Address Food for Health

Food as Medicine

A growing movement that views nutrition as a powerful tool for healing and prevention, Food as Medicine turns everyday meals into a form of natural remedy. By harnessing the healing properties of whole, nutrient-dense foods, this approach empowers individuals to take control of their health.

‘The realisation that food can be used to prevent and treat disease is gaining traction, and it’s changing the way people think about their health. Advances in microbiome research and personalized nutrition are driving this shift, with more companies creating foods designed to address chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease,’ explains Dan Altschuler at Unovis Asset Management

Prebiotics and Probiotics

The prebiotics and probiotics market is set for significant growth over the next five years, driven by increasing consumer awareness of gut health’s role in overall well-being. As people become more health-conscious, demand for functional foods and dietary supplements that support digestion continues to rise.

‘Advancements in microbiome research continue to highlight gut health’s critical role in immunity, mental health, and disease prevention. This has fuelled innovation in personalised nutrition, functional foods, and supplements enriched with prebiotics and probiotics. Additionally, as chronic diseases become more prevalent, more individuals are turning to preventive health measures, further boosting demand for gut health solutions. The convergence of food science, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence is accelerating the development of next-generation gut health products. AI-driven microbiome analysis and precision nutrition are emerging as key trends, positioning the prebiotics and probiotics market for sustained and substantial growth,’ notes Pablo Pedrejon at Seaya

Next-Generation Sugar Alternatives

With a focus on clean-label, gut-friendly formulations, the next generation of sweeteners aim to balance health benefits, taste, and functionality, offering solutions that meet both consumer demands and industry performance standards.

‘Existing natural and artificial sweeteners address health concerns over high sugar consumption but often raise questions about their impact on gut health. The future lies in sweet ingredients that achieve a balance between health benefits, functionality, and flavor. In 2025, we anticipate significant progress in these alternatives, with new solutions focused on clean-label, gut-friendly formulations. These advancements will aim to satisfy consumer expectations for health-conscious products while meeting industry standards for taste and performance,’ says Andrew Ive at Big Idea Ventures

Microbiome Health

The gut microbiome influences everything from digestion to immunity and mental health, yet modern lifestyles disrupt its balance. Solutions that restore and optimise gut health can prevent disease, enhance nutrition, and improve overall well-being. 

‘Over the past two decades, the gut microbiome has emerged as a critical contributor to human health. A new generation of solutions targeting the gut is paving the way for transformative advancements in nutrition, immunity, and overall well-being,’ notes Louise Heiberg at Nordic Foodtech VC

Better-For-You Categories

As consumers look for more from their everyday indulgences, brands are reimagining staples like coffee and chocolate with added health benefits.

‘Coffee is being infused with adaptogens (like lion’s mane), collagen, and superfoods to support cognition, stress relief, and overall wellness. Chocolate is also getting a functional upgrade, with protein-packed and adaptogenic versions featuring ingredients like collagen and ashwagandha. These innovations make it easier to enjoy daily favorites while boosting long-term health—without sacrificing taste,’ explains Eva Everloo at PeakBridge VC

Functional Foods

The convergence of nutrition and health is driving strong demand for functional foods that offer specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

‘Accelerated by the increasing adoption of GLP1 drugs, consumers are seeking out products enriched with bioactive compounds, pre- and probiotics, or tailored nutrient profiles. Startups developing at this junction with truly differentiated science are poised to capture market share by addressing consumer desires for wellness through diet’, says Mirasbek Kuterbekov at Thia Ventures.

Longevity

Longevity-focused nutrition is shifting from general wellness to science-backed, personalised strategies. By integrating biomarker tracking, AI-driven insights, and targeted nutrition, new solutions are emerging to optimise healthspan and prevent age-related decline and is reshaping how consumers proactively manage their long-term well-being. 

‘In addition to life science companies working on longevity solutions to slow biological aging, we will continue to observe the rise of consumer-centric longevity clinics offering personalised diagnostics for areas including microbiome analysis, genetic profiling, and continuous glucose monitoring,’ says Rachel Feller at Great Circle VC

Precision Nutrition and Wellness

Tailored diets and food products to meet the unique genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle needs of individuals is advancing in personalised health.

‘Powered by wearable health devices, genetic testing, and AI algorithms, companies are developing precision nutrition solutions that help consumers optimise their nutrition for specific goals—whether it’s boosting immunity, improving energy levels, managing weight, or preventing chronic conditions. Personalised supplements, functional foods, and smart meal plans are becoming increasingly popular, offering consumers products that are scientifically backed and customised to their individual health profiles,’ says Hadar Sutovsky of ICL Group.

NutriTech x Data

Advancements in nutrition tech and data are revolutionising how we understand and optimise health. By harnessing AI, biomarker analysis, and real-time tracking, these innovations enable precision nutrition, ensuring individuals get the right nutrients at the right time for maximum impact.

‘NutriTech is transforming health and wellness by offering data-driven, hyper-personalized solutions and discovering better ways to identify high-impact ingredients. With the power of automation and precision, this sector is crafting longevity foods, metabolic health solutions, and functional ingredients designed to anticipate and prevent health issues,’ points out Noga Sela Shalev at Fresh Start FoodTech Incubator IL

Weight Management

With rising obesity rates, the demand for accessible, food-based weight management alternatives is soaring. Next-gen ingredients—ranging from satiety-boosting fibres to natural plant compounds—are emerging as effective, natural solutions to support metabolism, blood sugar control, and appetite regulation, reshaping the future of weight management beyond injections.

‘Nearly 40% of adults worldwide are overweight, and the GLP-1 pharmaceutical market is set to explode to $100 billion. But here's the catch—access to these cutting-edge drugs remains out of reach for many, with prices soaring above $1,000 per month and a range of unpleasant side effects. In fact, about 1/3 of users abandon GLP-1 treatments. This creates a massive, untapped opportunity for the food and supplements industry to step in with innovative, next-gen oral products and ingredients. Think high fiber +satiety ingredients, supplements powered by peptides designed to naturally target GLP-1 hormones, or natural bioactive compounds like Reducose and Berberine, which can support weight loss and blood sugar management. The future of weight management might not be in pricey injections, but in accessible, powerful food alternatives that fit seamlessly into consumers’ lives,’ details Gil Horsky at FLORA Ventures

Cognitive Nutrition

Cognitive nutrition explores the impact of diet on brain health, focusing on how specific nutrients can enhance cognitive function and mental clarity. By understanding the relationship between food and the brain, cognitive nutrition aims to optimise mental performance and overall well-being.

‘Feeding the Mind Innovations in nootropics and nutritional psychiatry will flourish as Gen Z prioritizes mental health and older generations focus on cognitive performance. Food and supplements will be designed to enhance brain function, improve mood, and potentially even slow cognitive aging. From stress-reducing adaptogens to memory-boosting peptides, these products will target a wide swath of consumers looking to optimise their mental capabilities through nutrition’, says Ashley Hartman at Bluestein Ventures

Functional Beverages

Formulated with added ingredients designed to support specific health benefits, from boosting energy to improving gut health, functional beverages combine convenience with purpose, offering more than just hydration by delivering targeted nutrition.

‘The market for “new-concept” beverages is growing at an incredible pace, driven by consumer demand for health-focused, convenient solutions. Large beverage companies are constantly on the lookout for innovation but often struggle to develop new concepts internally, leading them to pursue acquisitions. This makes the exit market for fast-growing beverage concepts extremely liquid and lucrative, often with premium valuations,’ suggests Michel Kovac at McWin Capital Partners

🏆 Enter the FoodTech World Cup

After a 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.

We’ve launched a global search for the boldest solutions across Longevity, Glucose Management, Food for Special Medical Purposes, Immunity, Weight Management, Mental Health, Infant Nutrition and Energy.

Are you working on the solution and want to pitch it to Nestlé, Givaudan and leading investors in the space? Apply today.

🚀 320+ Startups at the Intersection of Health and Nutrition

Check out the full list of Startups in Nutrition and Health. Know someone we should add? Add them here.

Better still, tell them about the FoodTech World Cup.