Startup Innovation Challenge

Startup Innovation Challenge 2018

In 2018, the Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge was organised for the third time, during one of UBM’s flagship shows – Health ingredients Europe (Frankfurt, November 2018). It gave startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the whole host of F&B industry players that made up the show’s 500+ exhibitors and 10,000+ attendees.

All shortlisted startups had access to the Startup Lounge at the Industry Insights Theatre, where they could meet and network with visitors to Hi Europe. They also had listings in the Hi Europe show catalogue and on ingredients Network, Fi Global’s online product directory.

In 2018 the Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge categories were:

  • Most Innovative Healthy Food or Beverage Ingredient
  • Most Innovative Plant-Based Finished Product
  • Most Innovative Technology or Service Supporting F&B 

2018 Startup Innovation Challenge Sponsor

2018 Prizes

All winners received one-to-one mentoring from one of the Advisory Board members of the Startup Innovation Challenge. The winners could select which Advisory Board member was most relevant to them.

In addition, each winner could select one of the following prizes:

A fully equipped exhibition booth (9m2) at either Fi Europe 2019 or Hi Europe 2020
Have a  dedicated space to promote your product and connect with key players in the industry at one of Europe’s biggest trade shows for the global F&B industry.

A digital marketing package in conjunction with ingredients Network
This includes a profile on the ingredients Network directory, the leading product and supplier search engine in the food ingredients industry, plus unique articles and interviews on your company to be shared via the ingredients Network Newsletter. Reach over 150,000 people, and generate quality leads for your business.

Access to ‘Conciergerie’ by Presans
Conciergerie by Presans enables you to engage on-demand with top level experts for industrial innovation. Our Fellows (ex-R&D Directors/CTOs of large-size companies) identify worldwide experts related to your innovation, science and technology questions. Within a couple of days Presans organizes phone call discussions between selected experts and you. The winner of this prize will get the opportunity to raise a question on the Conciergerie platform and to get in contact with worldwide experts .

Free Food2050 workshop on business modelling
BiTHOUSE Group - Food2050 will award the winner a SAVE Business Modeling and Strategic Partnership Thinking workshop valued at 5000€.

Deep-dive session with Wageningen University & Research
Receive a tailored session with relevant researchers from Wageningen University & Research, the No.1 food & agri university worldwide. Get advice on your technology/product from a leading industry expert in the relevant field. Receive feedback on your proposition in order to make it ready for the market.

Special offer for V-Label licensing
Benefit from a special discount when you check and register your innovations with the V-Label - the internationally recognized quality seal for the labelling of vegan and vegetarian products. Register your first 5 products for free (no check fee). Additionally there will be no annual fee up to a total turnover of 50000 €. Above you will profit from our special start-up prices to obtain transparency and clarity for your products.

Naturex Ingenium – Special Prize

In addition to the category winners, one shortlisted startup could be selected by Naturex Ingenium for a special prize. This included:

  • A cash award of 10,000 Euros
  • 3 month business mentorship with the Naturex Ingenium Open Innovation Team after the event to help accelerate their go-2-market plans.

2018 Entry Criteria

  • The startup should be no older than 5 years
  • The startup must have a clear business plan and a developed concept at the very least, prototypes or the final product are preferred
  • The product or service needs to be truly novel
  • The product or service must have a specific health benefit or support health in some way

The application process is closed.

2018 Partners