Proteins of the Future: RWA Launches Global Innovation Initiative

Agro Innovation Lab invites startups worldwide to join the Proteinnovation Discovery until the 24th of November 2025 – seeking fresh ideas for sustainable protein sources, processes, and products

Korneuburg, 17.11.2025 - With the launch of the Proteinnovation Discovery, the Agro Innovation Lab (AIL) of RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria is initiating a unique global innovation initiative focused on securing the protein supply of the future. For two months, startups from around the world are invited to submit new solutions, technologies, and ideas – ranging from novel protein sources and innovative processes to products serving agriculture, the feed sector, and the food industry.

“Ensuring sufficient protein supply is one of the key future challenges for agriculture and society – the keyword being the ‘protein gap’. Demand is rising, yet sustainable and regional sources remain insufficiently developed. At RWA, we see ourselves as shapers of a future-proof agricultural sector. Transforming innovative solution approaches into practical agricultural applications that support longterm supply security is one of our core tasks. With the Proteinnovation Discovery, we are creating a framework to bring pioneering ideas into practice and develop long-term solutions for food security and sustainability,” emphasizes Christoph Metzker, Executive Director of RWA.

Enabling innovation for the protein supply of the future

“With the Proteinnovation Discovery, we aim to bring together the brightest minds and most advanced technologies. We are searching globally for innovations with the potential to shape the protein supply of tomorrow. Our focus is on solutions with agricultural relevance – whether through optimizing quality processes, tapping into new sources of food and feed, or developing innovative uses for agricultural side streams. Our goal is to create tangible value for innovators as well as for the agriculture and food sectors,” explains Georg Sladek, Managing Director of the Agro Innovation Lab.

The Proteinnovation Discovery is broadly designed and seeks ideas and solutions for protein sources, processes, and end products for the feed and food industries in the following categories:

• Plant-based: Innovations in crop cultivation | Smart processing technologies | New plant-based proteins based on local raw materials
• Fermentation: Fermentation-derived proteins | Substrates of agricultural origin
• Side streams: Value creation from agricultural and industrial side streams | Optimized logistics and processing
• Alternative protein sources: Natural alternatives | Cell-based alternatives
• Processes: Optimization across the entire protein value creation system
• Out of the box: Unconventional approaches and visionary ideas

From application to summit

The application phase runs from 1st of October to the 24th of November 2025. Afterwards, a panel of experts will select the best submissions. Ten startups will be invited to the major Proteinnovation Discovery Summit in March 2026 in Vienna and Lower Austria. There, they will present their solutions to an international audience of experts and leading companies. Winners can expect prize money and support in bringing their solutions into practical application.

But the Proteinnovation Summit is not the end – it’s the beginning: Together with experts from agriculture, science, and industry, AIL aims to bring the best approaches into real-world implementation and make a significant contribution to a sustainable future.

Further information and the application portal can be found at: www.agroinnovationlab.com/proteinnovation-discovery

About RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria:

RWA operates as a producer, service provider, and trader in the business segments of agriculture, technology, energy, construction materials, and home & garden. As the umbrella organization of the Lagerhaus cooperatives in Austria, RWA provides them with a comprehensive range of services in the aforementioned areas. In addition, RWA manages a wide variety of shareholdings and subsidiaries in Austria and in selected Eastern European countries.