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Meet the winner of the FoodTech World Cup Final
Meet the winner and the runners up of the FoodTech World Cup
Laura Hodgkiss
May 16, 2025
Over 100 startups from 20 countries applied to take part in the 2025 FoodTech World Cup — and now, the final 10 remain.
With the support of Givaudan and Nestlé Research and Development Lausanne, the 2025 edition of the FoodTech World Cup put the spotlight on the next wave of startups tackling Food for Health.
And 10 startups representing all 5 regions came together to pitch in the Final in Lausanne at this year’s HackSummit.
“The diversity of solutions, technologies and geographies were mind blowing. Super good finalists and fantastic engagement with the grand jury. Congratulations to all founders.” said Alexandre Bastos, Head of Front End Innovation at Givaudan.
“Congratulations to everyone who participated, from the very first round to the grand final! A huge shout-out to the winner; well deserved. This journey has been a remarkable showcase of the incredible global innovation power of FoodTech.” adds Maria Eugenia, Startup Program Lead at Nestlé Research and Development Lausanne.
Taking first place: Argentina’s Future Biome
Founder: Maria Soledad Vela Gurovic
Focus: Gut Health
What: Future Biome focuses on optimising the microbiome function with the best nutrition: Precision prebiotics.
“This is a great opportunity for startups to showcase their impactful approaches to solve global problems regarding food. Being recognised as a finalist and later as winners not only means gaining visibility it also encourages us to go forward, do the impossible and never give up,“ Soledad tells us.
What the judges said “Today, inulin is one of a few prebiotics ingredients offering consumers gut health benefits, powering growing categories like snack bars and better-for-you beverages. However, it is expensive, and it has side effects. Future Biome has the opportunity to disrupt the prebiotic market by offering greater efficacy with lower dosage, side effects, and price through the power of fungi. Future Biome are building the opportunity to disrupt the prebiotic market by developing science based solutions that can help the industry make efficient and new solutions available at scale.”
Close behind them: Sweden’s Ironic Biotech
Nélida Leiva Eriksson presented Ironic Biotech on stage to share how they are dedicated to combating iron deficiency - the most common nutritional deficiency globally, by developing a unique and non-toxic iron ingredient.
Also a runner up: Israel’s Kokomodo
Tal Govrin shared how Kokomodo crafts real, climate-resilient cacao using cellular agriculture technology, delivering consistent, high-quality cocoa with enhanced functional benefits— tailored for personalised nutrition.
Congratulations to all the Finalists who joined us in Lausanne to pitch in the Final at the HackSummit.