About SFNV
Unleashing
innovation
Who we are
A network of Swiss food innovators.
Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV) is a purpose-driven, nationwide, not-for-profit association that strengthens and promotes food system innovation, with international engagement.
Our diverse Valley partners collaborate to address the most pressing challenges in food, agriculture and nutrition, and co-create innovative solutions that drive better planetary and human health.
The Swiss ecosystem
280+ key players
To better understand how our network can drive change, we mapped the actors shaping the Swiss FoodTech ecosystem and identified the key national and global trends that are driving innovation. These findings laid the foundations for our Impact Platforms.
Our partners
The Valley is its partners
From leading international corporates and world-renowned academic and research institutions to innovator facilitators, investors, SMEs and startups – we welcome all Switzerland-based companies who are interested in driving better human and planetary health through food.
Our team
Get to know the people behind the Valley
Our Steering Committee sets the Valley’s strategic direction, while our Executive Committee ensures that we are constantly moving closer to our goals. The operational team is responsible for delivering the Valley’s four operational pillars.
Martin's why
“With its ecosystem – academic institutions, startups, large companies, SMEs and forward-thinking government actors – Switzerland is the ideal laboratory for the food of the future”
Stefan Plazer
SFNV Vice President
Chief Technology Officer & Executive Vice President, Nestlé
Stefan's why
“Together, in this unique innovation ecosystem, we can discover and work on breakthrough science and technology solutions that lead to healthier, more sustainable food systems globally”
Calvin's why
“How can we feed 8 billion people in the world sustainably? Switzerland, with its tradition, knowledge and economy is well positioned to play an important role. And SFNV will foster this ambition.”
Carole Ackermann
President of the Board, E.H.L Group
Carole's why
“Embedding sustainability into every activity, adjusting agriculture, experimenting with new food concepts, and fostering innovative processes to create delicious food products will only work if we join forces. We have all the ingredients to stay ahead of the curve in Switzerland – let’s use the powerful network of partners under the SFNV umbrella.”
Aurélien Demaurex
ExCo Member, Co-Founder at ecoRobotix
Aurélien's why
“In Switzerland, we’re fortunate to have an amazing innovation ecosystem. Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley builds on this to make the global food system more sustainable.”
Christian Schwab
ExCo Member, Executive Director of the Integrative Food & Nutrition Center at EPFL
Christian's why
“SFNV can bring the necessary stewardship required to mobilize, federate, energize diverse stakeholders behind a shared and ambitious vision for healthier and more sustainable food systems. The Valley will help maximize Switzerland’s positive impact on the transformation of the food systems, whilst creating value for its members.”
Christoph Hartmann
ExCo Member, Head of Academic Alliances at Nestlé
Christoph's why
“Switzerland, as a country that leads innovation in many fields, now has the right ecosystem to embrace the pressing challenges in the food system. I look forward to impactful collaborations and new solutions to ensure that sustainable and nutritious food is available and affordable for everyone – today and in the future.”
Fabio Campanile
ExCo Member, Head of Science & Technology at Givaudan
Fabio's why
“Collaboration is key in today’s world to make things happen and through SFNV, I would like to build an even more innovative and connected ecosystem in the food and nutrition space.”
Jérôme Barra
ExCo Member, Vice President, Global Sweet Goods Strategic Business Unit at Firmenich
Jérôme's why
“I am passionate about accelerating the diet transformation by helping to create healthier, great-tasting, affordable food & beverages with more natural and sustainable ingredients to enhance wellbeing for people & planet.”
Jerry Krattiger
ExCo Member, Managing Director of Fribourg Development Agency at State of Fribourg
Jerry's why
“Switzerland is a thriving food nation, a hotbed for tradition and innovation and a force to be reckoned with in terms of impact on the global food system. Through SFNV, I want to address some of the critical questions we’re facing today – from global warming and food security to job and value creation.”
Marc Stierand
ExCo Member, Associate Professor of Service Management & Founding Director of The Institute of Business Creativity (IBC), EHL
Marc's why
“SFNV is Switzerland’s food and nutrition hotspot where we can think together about the big questions that will determine the quality of life on our planet. I’m happy and humbled to be part of this journey and motivated to help making new food not only healthier and more sustainable, but also more delicious.”
Martjin Sonnevelt
ExCo Member, Executive Director at ETH Zurich World Food System Center
Martjin's why
“SFNV is a great tool to unleash the innovation potential needed to address the big challenges our food systems face and to bring key actors in Switzerland together.”
Raphaël Conz
ExCo Member, Deputy Director at the Office for Economic Affairs and Innovation (SPEI) at State of Vaud
Raphaël's why
“Switzerland and the Canton of Vaud rely on an extraordinary ecosystem of innovation in the field of food and nutrition. Through SFNV we need to attract more talent and start-ups to foster our ecosystem and to create new opportunities in terms of economic growth and sustainability.”