Generate, Nexture’s Innovation Hub, Launches the New Open Call for Startups to Accelerate Next-Generation Ingredient Innovation

Applications open on March 16th for startups developing concepts across bakery, oils & texturization, alternative carbs & proteins, nutrition solutions and future-proofing ingredients.

March 16th, 2026 – Generate – the innovation hub empowering next-generation ingredient development within Nexture, a global group specializing in the development and manufacturing of high-quality food ingredients and value-added solutions –  launches today a new Open Call for Startups, inviting pioneering food-tech and ingredient-tech companies to apply to the Generate Program 2026 from March 16th to May 4th, 2026.

Generate is Nexture’s open innovation hub, a platform that sparks the creation of tomorrow’s food solutions thanks to collaborations with startups, peers and food companies, contributing to a more sustainable, nourishing and resilient food system.

Generate offers tailored 12-18 month programs to ingredient pioneers, granting them access to application opportunities, cutting-edge R&D facilities and commercial support. By validating proofs of concept and enabling industrial scale-up through Nexture’s ecosystem – including CSM Ingredients, HIFOOD, Frulact, Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Comprital and Prodotti Rubicone – the program accelerates the journey from breakthrough idea to market-ready solution.

“Through Generate, we aim to identify and partner with the most promising ingredient innovators tackling the key challenges of our industry,” said Emanuele Pizzigalli, Chief Innovation Officer at Nexture. “The 2026 Open Call reflects the strategic areas where we see the strongest need for transformation – from healthier formulations and advanced functionality to resilient supply chains and sustainable fat solutions. We are looking for bold, science-driven startups ready to scale their impact together with us.”

The scouting and evaluation process for the 2026 Open Call will be carried out once more with URIKA Partners, a firm specialized in innovative strategy, venture building, strategic investments, and technology collaboration, primarily in the Agri-Food and Climate industries.

This year’s Open Call will focus on five strategic technology domains aligned with Nexture’s innovation priorities:

1. In the area of Bakery Evolution, Generate is looking for solutions that can redefine performance and quality in baked goods, including advanced freshness and softness enzymes as well as next-generation gluten-related technologies capable of improving texture, structure and nutritional profiles.

2. Within Oils & Texturization, the program seeks breakthrough approaches to palm oil replacement, innovative laminated fats and novel lipid structuring technologies that can deliver functionality, stability and mouthfeel while improving sustainability and supply resilience.

3. For Alternative Carbs & Proteins, the call targets fiber enrichment solutions, highly digestible proteins and sugar reduction technologies, alongside cost-effective bulking agents and high-performance proteins and fibers designed for emulsifying, gelling and advanced texturizing applications.

4. In the Nutrition area, Generate is interested in science-backed solutions addressing metabolic health – including GLP-1 boosting and low glycemic index approaches – as well as microbiome-targeted ingredients and healthy ageing solutions supported by robust data.

5. Finally, under Future Proofing, the program welcomes innovations such as cocoa replacements and new natural preservative systems, including bioactive peptides and alternatives to potassium sorbate, aimed at enhancing product stability while meeting clean-label expectations.

Startups can submit their applications between March 16th and May 4th, 2026, joining a growing community committed to shaping the future of ingredients. Indeed, since its launch, Generate has built a strong pipeline of breakthrough innovators, including Green-On, Kokomodo, YEAP, PoLoPo, Ingrediome and ImaginDairy. 

ABOUT GENERATE

Generate is an innovation hub of ingredient startups and food concepts that aims to bring added value to the F&B industry. By leveraging Nexture’s open innovation network, Generate represents a platform where startups, peers, and food companies spark the creation of tomorrow’s food solutions and the development of break-through business models.

Please visit nexture.com/global/en/innovation/generate to learn more.

ABOUT NEXTURE

Nexture is the Italian holding company that brings together three global manufacturers in the food ingredients industry: the CSM Ingredients Group, the Italcanditi Group and Frulact, all indirectly held by an independently managed investment company affiliated to Investindustrial.  Headquartered in Milan (Italy), Nexture is a global integrated group specializing in the development and manufacturing of high-quality food ingredients and value-added solutions. Nexture encompasses renowned brands such as CSM Ingredients, HIFOOD, Frulact, Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Comprital, and Prodotti Rubicone, all internationally recognized for the excellence of their solutions and their ability to anticipate consumer trends. As of March 11th, 2026, Nexture operated in over 120 countries, with 24 production plants, 20 innovation centres, and over 2,700 employees. As a result of a shared strategic vision, strong industrial roots, and a global identity, Nexture aims to position itself as a key partner for major stakeholders in the food industry, combining artisanal heritage, technological knowhow, sustainability-focus, and an extensive network to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving market. Any references to "Investindustrial" are intended as general and should not be construed as an indication of control by any specific company or individual. Investindustrial’s investment companies are each independently managed by their respective board of directors.

For more information, visit: nexture.com