Nestlé and FoodHack Launch 2026 FoodTech World Cup

[4th February 2026, Lausanne, Switzerland] For the second year in a row, Nestlé and FoodHack are joining forces to host the FoodTech World Cup - The ultimate tournament to showcase the world’s best startups in Food BioTech.

Applications are now open until 27th February, 2026.

The future of food is being engineered, at the cellular, microbial, and molecular level. Advances in biology are transforming how food is produced, designed, and scaled. 

From next generation proteins to programmable ingredients and bio-enabled platforms, a new generation of founders is building the biological infrastructure of tomorrow’s food system.

Innovators aren’t just improving products, they’re redefining the underlying technologies that will power more resilient, efficient, and climate-positive food value chains. Through deep science, data, and collaboration, FoodBioTech startups are unlocking entirely new possibilities for how food reaches people around the world.

This year, the FoodTech World Cup will spotlight the most promising startups operating at the intersection of food and biotechnology, connecting them with global investors, corporate partners, and the visibility required to scale breakthrough solutions.

Maria Eugenia Barcos, Startup Program Lead at Nestlé, shared:

“At Nestlé, we’re committed to advancing innovative products and services that unlock the power of food and enhance quality of life. We strongly believe in collaboration as a catalyst for meaningful innovation—bringing together startups, science, and industry to address challenges that truly matter for consumers, society, and the planet. Through our partnership with FoodHack and the HackSummit, we’re excited to join forces with startups pushing the boundaries of biotechnology and food science.”

Take part in the FoodTech World Cup

To identify the next rising stars and category-defining leaders in FoodBioTech, Nestlé and FoodHack invite Stealth to Seed-stage startups to pitch solutions across:

• Next-generation proteins

• Food BioTech platforms

• Gut health and microbiome science

• Functional and bioactive ingredients

• Circular and climate-positive BioTech

The FoodTech World Cup Qualifier will run as a global virtual Demo Day, with startups represented across Asia, Europe, Latin America, MENA, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

From hundreds of applicants, 15 shortlisted founders will present their vision and demonstrate their technology’s impact potential to a panel of top-tier judges from Nestlé, leading FoodTech VCs, and corporate innovators worldwide.

Following a rigorous selection process, the 5 most promising startups will be invited to pitch live at the HackSummit in Lausanne, Switzerland, on April 23rd, where the FoodTech World Cup winners will be crowned on stage.

Enter your startup in the FoodTech World Cup today: LINK

About Nestlé

Nestlé is committed to developing innovative products and services that unlock the power of food and enhance quality of life, aiming to support people and pets, at every life stage - now and in the future. Nestlé has the most advanced science and innovation network in the food industry, with 4,100 employees working in R&D and investing over CHF 1.7 billion every year in R&D as an engine for growth. Whether the focus is on developing plant-based foods to support healthier lifestyles, tackling packaging waste or driving affordable nutrition, Nestlé is continually developing its products and services, while innovating to create new ones.

Learn more at https://www.nestle.com/about/research-development 

About FoodHack

FoodHack is one of the world’s largest FoodTech communities. Where FoodTech professionals come to get the inside scoop on industry news and meet partners, friends, mentors, investors - and everything in between. 

From a weekly newsletter, to ambassador-run Meetups and the annual HackSummit - FoodHack makes it easier for purpose-driven food founders to access the funding, network and knowledge they need to successfully launch and scale their business.

Join the community www.foodhack.global

About HackSummit

The HackSummit is Europe’s must-attend gathering of Climate Hard Tech builders and investors, taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland on April 22-23.

Not just any Climate Conference, The HackSummit is a full week of activities and gatherings where Climate innovation takes over the lakeside city of Lausanne with a whole day dedicated to Food Sovereignty (April 23).

Join the startup pitches, fireside chats and debates with industry frontrunners to get exclusive insights, early signals and first hand data to leapfrog the competition and unlock new collaborations.

Meet us in Lausanne: www.hacksummit.co