Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley

Sustainably Nourishing Tomorrow: A Collaborative Approach for Global Impact
2024-03-06 16:30 - 18:00 (Europe/Zurich) | Online event
Branchfood and Greater Zurich Area are excited to delve into the intricate dynamics of the global food industry at our forthcoming webinar.
In a world grappling with complex challenges such as environmental concerns, supply chain disruptions, demographic shifts, and food insecurity, the demand for sustainable solutions has reached unprecedented heights. This webinar will provide an inside look into cutting-edge initiatives adopted by trailblazing corporations. These initiatives not only enable them to adapt to industry changes but also position them as leaders driving impactful change.
Corporate leaders, agri-food innovators, and investors are invited to join us for a deep dive into the strategies employed by industry leaders for innovation and sustainability. This is not just a passive viewing experience; it’s a chance for you to actively explore collaborative opportunities. By aligning your interests with consumer demands, you can play a pivotal role in advancing long-term sustainability.
Our webinar aims to provide valuable insights into the current state of the global food industry, addressing shifting consumer needs, emerging packaging trends, collaboration opportunities, and innovative approaches to overcome industry challenges. With a particular focus on fostering cross-industry and cross-border collaboration, we will uncover how leading companies and government agencies are spearheading transformative change.
Speakers
Annette Herz – Moderator, Strategic Advisor, Branchfood; Partner, Compass Marketing
Milo Baker, Director West Coast, Greater Zurich Area
Tobias Gunzenhauser, Founder and CEO, YAMO
Pascal Bieri, Co-founder, Planted
Stephan Schuele, Head of Product Management, Syntegon
To be announced, SIG
Join us in shaping the future of sustainable practices and innovation in the global food industry: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/branchfood-and-gza-present-sustainably-nourishing-tomorrow-tickets-823812664857?aff=GZA

Sustainable Food Systems
2024-03-07 13:30 - 19:00 | Asilo Ciani, Viale Carlo Cattaneo 5, Lugano, Ticino, 6900
Reaching sustainable food systems is a challenge for all the players along the value chain from food production to food consumption. Technological innovation can support companies in their appropriate use of water, energy and packaging materials and in reducing, monitoring, managing, recycling and upscaling waste as well as using alternative sources and technologies of food production.
This event proposes to ask the right questions about the sustainability of the agrifood system through the use of limited, reusable or recyclable resources, the decrease and valorization of waste and alternative food production.

Be inspired by players who have successfully taken the step of innovation
Connect in a targeted manner to potential innovation partners
Be challenged and motivated during participatory discussions, workshops, speed-dating and exhibitions, all complemented by a creative cocktail

Read more & register here

Agenda

Part 1

09:00

Coffee and networking

09:30

Welcome & Introductions
Planetary boundaries and the role of Switzerland
Christina Senn-Jakobsen, Managing Director – Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
Jean-Philippe Devaux, Vice-President – Berninvest

09:40

Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley – “Project Matterhorn”
The project at a glance: ambition and vision
Christian Nils Schwab, Executive Director, Integrative Food & Nutrition Centre – EPFL

09:45

Understanding Cultured Food
Data Trends, enabling technologies
Carlotte Lucas, Corporate Engagement Manager – GFI

10:00

State of Play Switzerland: an overview
Mapping cultured food actors in Switzerland
Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley

10:10

Understanding readiness, challenges, and opportunities (Part I )
State of Play
– Producers: Yannick Gächter, CEO – The Cultured Hub
– Academia: Christine Trautmann – ETH
– Startups: Tomas Turner, CEO – Cultivated Bioscience
– Investor’s voice – Ismael Huber, Analyst – Redalpine Venture Partners
I
Interactive session

11:00

Coffee break

11:10

Understanding readiness, challenges, and opportunities (Part II )
State of Play
– Citizens’ voice – Wilbert Sybesma, Founder – Microbiome Solutions & Lecturer Food Biotechnology EPFL
– Swiss policy: Nathalie Schneuwly, Paralegal, MAS Excellence in Food – Food Lex AG
– Nature’s voice – Adrian Hirt, Founder – Alphahirt
– Contract manufacturing: David Brandes, CEO & Co-founder – Planetary Group
I
Interactive session

11:55

Global view
– Sandhya Sriram, CEO & Co-founder, Shiok meats & Gaia Foods
– George Peppou, Founder & CEO – Vow Food

12:10

Open mic discussion
Final remarks & next steps

12:30.

Networking lunch

Part 2

13:30 – 15:00

SFNV Action Forum: Valley Partners only

planted.opensaturday
2024-03-09 | Bern
About this experience
(Tickets can only be purchased in Switzerland)
Would you like to take a look behind the scenes at Planted and see where plant-based proteins are turned into delicious, sustainable and healthy planted.kebab, planted.chicken and co? On our planted.opensaturday on 09.03.24, we will open our doors to production in the glass house and show you more exciting insights into the topic of sustainable food.
You and your loved ones can look forward to mixing your own marinades for your favorite meat, delicious planted dishes, a sustainability corner and much more! An instructive and delicious day for young and old.
We look forward to seeing you!
Saturday package adults:
CHF 40.00 (planted.experience incl. 1 plate at the Hiltl buffet, as well as mixing your own marinade)
approx. 2.5 hours (planted.experience approx. 1.5 hours, marinade mixing and individual Z’Mittag approx. 1 hour)
Saturday package kids:
CHF 20.00 (planted.experience incl. 1 plate at the Hiltl buffet)
approx. 2.5 hours (planted.experience approx. 1.5 hours, marinade mixing and individual Z’Mittag approx. 1 hour)

Joint Event Cluster Food & Nutrition x IT Valley
2024-03-12 13:30 - 18:00 | L’Atelier, Pl. de Notre Dame 16, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
On March 12, join us for an immersive afternoon at L’Atelier (formerly the Gutenberg Museum), where the convergence of food and IT will come to life at our event in close collaboration with IT Valley.
The Food & Nutrition Cluster, working in the agri-food sector since 2015, has established itself as a regional and national networking platform. Its mission, rooted in sustainability and innovation, aims to strengthen collaboration between players in the agri-food ecosystem. IT Valley, for its part, federates information and communication technology professionals. By promoting the exchange of knowledge and skills, the association boosts the competitiveness of regional SMEs and encourages the transfer of knowledge between academic and business circles.
From 1:30pm, immerse yourself in a captivating experience with a warm welcome and introductory words, illustrating our shared commitment to creating a strong, sustainable and innovative ecosystem. The day will revolve around carefully thought-out activities, offering a glimpse of the new faces of the Food Cluster through dynamic pitches.
Engage in a round-table discussion dedicated to digitalization in the agri-food sector, exploring the opportunities offered by this convergence. The coffee break will be a privileged moment to exchange ideas and forge links with the players present. The second half of the afternoon will highlight an IT project in the agri-food sector, bringing together academic and industrial skills.
IT Valley members will then share their expertise through 3-minute pitches, unveiling their innovative projects. Finally, round off this enriching day with a networking aperitif, while discovering the exhibition by artist Julien Kolly, establishing a captivating link with digital art.
Our event is more than just a get-together. It’s an opportunity to create synergies, foster innovation and build lasting relationships between the worlds of agrifood and IT. Come and share your ideas, explore new perspectives and contribute to the emergence of a promising agri-food and technological future. We look forward to welcoming you to a day of collaboration, goodwill and discovery.

Meet the Valley
2024-03-21 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-16 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-05-23 16:30 - 17:30, 2024-06-25 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-11 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-08-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Online event
“Meet The Valley” is a monthly virtual meet-up for anyone interested to find out more about Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley and the Swiss food ecosystem. You will get the chance to meet the SFNV team, tell us about your projects and ask us … anything! We recommend you choose to attend once at a time that fits your schedule and drop in by registration!
Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley is a nationwide initiative to develop, strengthen and promote food innovation in Switzerland and beyond. We address major challenges in food, agriculture, and nutrition by leveraging cutting-edge science and technology for a more sustainable future.
Why? You can get to know what the Valley does, why we exist, what we do and how we create value for our members. SFNV is all about collaboration! These sessions are also dedicated to answering YOUR questions. After a brief introduction the floor will be open to the participants for a Q&A, so come prepared!
Who? The sessions will be led by SFNV’s Managing Director – Christina Senn-Jakobsen, who is extremely passionate about food and innovation and is thrilled to meet you all.
When? “Meet the Valley” will be happening monthly, so if you can’t make it in the upcoming months – simply click on the “select a date” button and find the session that fits your schedule best.
Where? Sessions will be held via Zoom, here
Got more questions? Join us, meet the team behind the Valley, share ideas and discuss interesting Food Ecosystem related topics. The meet-ups are free.
We are looking forward to meeting you!
Your Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley

Partners’ Quarterly Meet Up Q1
2024-03-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Bern
Save the date for SFNV Q1 Partners’ Quarterly online meeting. An event opportunity to advance member collaborations and exchange with the SFNV team and partners. We facilitate this session to advance knowledge sharing across the food ecosystem and to spotlight the quarter that we have just had.
What’s Cooking in the Valley?
The answer to that question and more will be covered in the Partners’ Quarterly meeting. During the session, our partners will get to know more about what other ecosystem actors are working on, explore how they can offer support and relevant industry news bulletins and find out what the SFNV core team is planning for the year.
Invitations for this event will be sent out to all partners directly, so save the date!
Any questions? Email Maëlle on info@sfnv.ch
More information is coming soon!
Your SFNV Team

FUTURE FOOD P-ACT
2024-04-09 09:00 - 17:00 | Zollhaus, Zollstrasse 121, Stadtkreis 5 Industriequartier, Zürich, 8005
The Innovation Boosters Swiss Food Ecosystems and Future Food Farming, powered by Innosuisse, invite you to connect and collaborate on transformative solutions during a visionary journey into the world of agricultural and food systems. Stakeholders from farmers to citizens will have the opportunity to fund exploratory projects up to 39,000 CHF.
Representatives from agriculture, industry, trade, academic partners, cantons, municipalities, citizens, and the next generation will come together to shape a diverse, resilient, and sustainable future of food.
At the heart of Future Food P-Act lies bridging – between the present and the future, among different interest groups, and between challenges, ideas, and actions.
The event will be conducted in German, with English available for group work.
Agenda:
• 09:00 Opening
• 10:00 Observation of the Swiss Agro-Food System, presented by the Annundpfirsich Theater
• 11:00 Crafting Future Scenarios of the Food System with Kühne Wicki
• 12:30 Lunch Break
• 14:00 Workshop: Understanding Hurdles and Formulating Solutions
• 16:00 Networking Apéro

SFNV Impact Forum: Food Systems 4.0
2024-04-15 12:30 - 13:30 | Online event
SFNV Impact Forums are one-hour online seminars featuring Swiss and international experts that delve into the topics behind our Impact Platforms.
Why attend?
In just 60 minutes you’ll hear the latest insights from four expert speakers and then share knowledge and explore synergies with other attendees in our quick-fire Q&A session.
What?
Together, we’ll explore how artificial intelligence can impact productivity, efficiency and transparency at all stages of the food value chain and find out more about some exciting Swiss and international innovations in this space.
Who?
The session will be led by Dr Marta Antonelli, SFNV’s Head of Impact Platforms, a passionate advocate for food system sustainability. She’ll be joined by four exciting expert speakers from the Valley ecosystem:

Matthias Zwingli, CEO & Founder, Connect AI
Matthias Graeber, Head of Data Science, Bühler
Mateja Kramar, Swiss Red Teaming Manager, Agri-Food Sustainability Expert, ETH AI Center
Christopher Keim, Head of Process Automation, Food Brewer
Patrick Albrecht, Co-Founder & CEO, Fruitful AI

Would you like to join us?
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 851 7619 1694Passcode: [REDACTED]
Can’t make it this time? We’ll be organising Impact Forums throughout 2024. Keep an eye on the Valley event calendar and LinkedIn or tell us about the topics you’re interested in and we’ll be in touch as soon as the events are scheduled in!

Open Exploration Workshop - Basel
2024-04-22 13:00 - 18:00 | Markthalle Basel, Steinentorberg 20, Basel, 4051
The Innovation Booster Future Food Farming, supported by Innosuisse, invites individuals to network and develop transformative solutions together. Stakeholders, from farmers to citizens, collaborate creatively and have the opportunity to finance initial exploration projects up to 39,000 CHF.
Together, we aim to identify obstacles preventing us from supplying more locally.
Representatives from agriculture, processing industries, commerce, academic partners, cantons, municipalities, citizens, and the next generation will come together to create a diverse, resilient, and sustainable food future.
Through collaboration, we will:
* Identify obstacles and issues hindering progress today.
* Better understand the complexity of our agri-food system.
* Gain insight into challenges and their stakeholders.
* Draft opportunity statements that pave the way for radical, values-based solutions.
Why participate?
* Join a vibrant, multidisciplinary community passionately reshaping our food landscape.
* Gain a comprehensive understanding of relevant obstacles and their profound impact.
* Find suitable partners for innovation projects and secure funding.
This event is organized in collaboration with Markthalle Basel and Lebensmittel Netzwerk Basel

Open Exploration Workshop – Grangeneuve
2024-04-25 17:30 - 21:00 | Grangeneuve, Rte de Grangeneuve 31, Posieux, Fribourg, 1725, Switzerland
The Innovation Booster Future Food Farming powered by Innosuisse invites you to connect and collaboratively develop transformative solutions.
Stakeholders from farms to citizens come together creatively, with the opportunity to shape projects for initial explorations in an incubation phase alongside experts, with funding of up to 39,000 CHF.
Together, we aim to identify the hurdles preventing us from delivering more locally. Representatives from agriculture, processing industries, trade, gastronomy, academic partners, cantons, municipalities, citizens, and the next generation will convene to create a diverse, resilient, and sustainable future for food.
Together, we will:
• Recognize obstacles and issues impeding progress today.
• Better understand the complexity of our agricultural and food systems.
• Understand challenges and their stakeholders better.
• Draft opportunity statements paving the way for radical and value-based solutions.
Why participate?
• Join a vibrant, multidisciplinary community passionately reshaping our food landscape.
• Gain deep insights and understanding of relevant hurdles and their profound impacts.
• Find suitable partners for an innovation project and secure financing.
This event is organized in collaboration with Star’Terre.
This workshop will be held in French.

SFNV General Assembly
2024-05-17 13:00 - 18:00 | sitem-insel, 3 Freiburgstrasse, Bern, 3010
What
Our annual General Assembly is open to SFNV partners only and focuses on our organisation’s strategy, the year ahead, successes and reflections. The event agenda is provisional and could be subject to change in line with this framework.

Useful details

When: Friday 17th of May from 13:00 to 18:00.
Where: Felix Frey Auditorium E0.211, sitem-insel, 3 Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern

Program

13:00-13:30: Registration, Startup Exhibition, Coffee
13:30-17:00: General Assembly
17:00-18:00: Networking, Startup Exhibition, Apéro

Exhibiting startups

Actidot
AllSupps
Future Food Solutions
Nuuro
sallea
SanvitaFood
Steasy
True Foods
Vege’Tables
Yumame

Agenda
13:30 Welcome & Opening Words Martin Vetterli, President, SFNV13:45 Welcome by the host: Dr. Sebastian Friess, President, Bern Economic Development Agency13:50 Consent AgendaApproval of: 1)Minutes of General Assembly 2023 2)Financial Report 2023 3)Budget 2025 4)Election of Internal & External Auditors 5) Voting in our new President 14:30 Impact Report 2023, 2024 Updates & 2025 OutlookChristina Senn-Jakobsen, Managing Director & SFNV TeamQ&A – Word from the Partners15:00 Coffee Break & Startup Exhibition15:30 Mountain Climber Award voting and distribution15:45 Keynotes & Panel: AI in the Future-proof food systemsDominique Mégret, CEO EcorobotixPaolo Scarabelli, Automation & Digital-Innovation, Capability & Partnership Director Tetra PakMarcel Salathé, Professor EPFL, Co-Director EPFL AI Center16:45 Future outlook & Closing words17.00 Valley Networking, Startup Exhibition & Apéro

Register (one ticket per partner)

View documents (available now)

If you have any points to add to the agenda, please email info@sfnv.ch
We will send you a final version of the agenda together with pre-read material one week prior to the General Assembly.

SWITZERLAND-SPAIN FOODTECH ECOSYSTEM SESSIONS 2024
2024-05-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
In recent years, Spain’s Foodtech industry has undergone a substantial shift towards sustainability and efficiency, bolstered by both regional and national public-private initiatives. On the back of a global decline in venture capital deals, in 2023 investment flows into the Spanish Foodtech sector diminished by far less than the average, reaching € 226 million and with an accumulated total of € 1,176 million over the last four years.This highlights the dynamism, resilience, and adaptability of the Foodtech ecosystem in Spain in the face of international market challenges. It even managed to maintain a slight growth in the number of Foodtech companies, which increased from 412 startups in 2022 to 420 in 2023 but also includes over 30,000 companies engaged in food transformation. Moreover, the sector benefits from the collaboration with more than 50 specialized universities and 20 advanced technology centres.
After the success of last year’s event, this will be the second edition of our pitching webinar featuring Spanish startups with key actors from the Swiss Foodtech ecosystem, in cooperation with Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV).

Register now

The 7 pitching Spanish startups include:

Sanygran: Extruded food products made of legumes and cereals as substitute for meat.
Cocoon Bioscience: Cost-effective production of high-value bioactive proteins and specialized enzymes for food (cellular agriculture) and healthcare (gene therapies).
Libre Foods: Fungi-based meat substitutes.
Omnivorus: Healthy snacks and substitutes for meat, cocoa and other food products from proteins based on algae and vegetable fish.
BioMixing: Accelerated generation of bioreactors, with application in the Biotech and Foodtech industries.
Gimme Sabor: Quality ingredients from sustainable crops.
Brava Drinks: Artisanal, healthy and low-sugar soft drink made from premium kombucha through slow fermentation.

For a comprehensive exploration of the current state and challenges of the country’s food sector, feel free to download the full report here.
The Foodtech ecosystems in Spain and Switzerland thrive on vibrancy, driven by factors such as quality, innovation, substantial venture capital investments, and robust government support. These elements collectively contribute to making both countries highly attractive for companies and startups and open up the space for synergies and complementarities.
Register below to join us!

Register now

planted.opensaturday
2024-05-25 | Planted Foods AG, Kemptthal, Switzerland
Would you like to take a look behind the scenes at Planted and see where plant-based proteins are turned into delicious, sustainable and healthy planted.kebab, planted.chicken and co? On our planted.opensaturday, we will open our doors to production in the glass house and show you more exciting insights into the topic of sustainable food.
You and your loved ones can look forward to mixing your own marinades for your favorite meat, delicious planted dishes, a sustainability corner and much more! An instructive and delicious day for young and old.
We look forward to seeing you!
Saturday package adults:
CHF 40.00 (planted.experience incl. 1 plate at the Hiltl buffet, as well as mixing your own marinade)
approx. 2.5 hours (planted.experience approx. 1.5 hours, marinade mixing and individual Z’Mittag approx. 1 hour)
Saturday package kids
CHF 20.00 (planted.experience incl. 1 plate at the Hiltl buffet
approx. 2.5 hours (planted.experience approx. 1.5 hours, marinade mixing and individual Z’Mittag approx. 1 hour)

InnoFood & co
2024-05-28 10:30 - 18:00 | Forum Fribourg, Rte du Lac 12, Granges-Paccot, 1763, Switzerland
The event returns for a 3rd edition on May 28, 2024! Thanks to your loyalty and support, we’re delighted to be able to introduce you once again to initiatives that are both local and global, and to enable you to seize the opportunities for innovation and collaboration that lie ahead.
Mark May 28, 2024 in your diaries, for an inspiring and captivating experience awaits you. Get ready to join us for an event that will arouse your curiosity and stimulate your taste buds.

Imagining the Packaging of the Future: Sustainable Solutions Unwrapped 1.0
2024-06-11 09:30 - 15:00 | BERNEXPO AG, Mingerstrasse 6, Bern, Bern, 3000, Switzerland
The Valley’s State of Play events bring together the Swiss food innovation ecosystem to explore the opportunities related to key Impact Platform topics. This time, together with Valley partners Nestlé and Tetra Pak, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the world of sustainable materials for packaging.
The issue
Since 2015, the global population has increased by 10%, while the global economy has consumed 70% more materials than what the planet can replenish. As little as 8.6% of materials abstracted are currently repurposed. A shift from the current model – “take-make-waste” – to a circular economy is needed to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution.
The opportunity
Sustainable packaging is a multifaceted opportunity for a more sustainable food system with various environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It involves knowledge sharing and collaboration among different stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and policymakers, to work towards reducing the overall environmental impact of packaging materials and processes.
Why you should join us
This event will take a deep dive into the world of sustainable materials for packaging, exploring current innovations in alternatives to wood fibres for paper substrates and high-performing bio-based polymers, enabling knowledge sharing and networking, and identifying the most promising business opportunities and areas for collaboration between ecosystem actors. It will also bring together leading Swiss and EU experts and Swiss and international startups who will pitch during the event.

The Agenda
09:30 Coffee & Networking
10:00 Welcome & Desired OutcomesFood packaging, planetary boundaries and Switzerland’s roleChristina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO – Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
10:10 State of Play of Sustainable Packaging Trends & Challenges, Q&AFelix Grünewald, Partner, McKinsey
10:50 Overview of Research & Innovation in Packaging & Sustainable Materials; Q&A
Alternative Fibres
Nanocellulose from residual biomass for food packaging applicationDr. Gilberto Siqueira, Research Scientist, Empa
Alternative high-performing bio-based polymers
Side streams of agri-food Industry as an alternative packaging materialProf. Dr. Selçuk Yildirim, ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Centre for Food Production and Packaging
11:20 Break: Coffee to go
11:30 The EU Policy & Regulatory Context: the “Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation” : what implications?; Q&AHazel O’Keeffe, Partner, Keller and Heckman LLP
12:10 Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley Partners: “Sustainable Packaging: the way ahead”Ingemar Jacobsson, Director Material Solutions, Development & Technology, Tetra PakRob Hoitink, R&D Packaging Lead, Nestlé
12:30 Lunch & poster session for startups & academic innovation
13:30 Focus on solutions – Introduction
Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
13:35 “Modification of Polymers for High Performance Sustainable Plastics Solutions” (10’)
Prof. Holger Frauenrath, Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Materials (LMOM), Institute of Materials (IMX) at EPFL
13:45 “Recent advances in R&D&I to further drive the implementations toward a bioeconomy”
Prof. Tomas Anderson, Head of Key Accounts, RISE
13:55 Q&A
14:05 Pitches from start-ups
14:40 Interactive session
15:00 Open mic discussion from all groups
15:15 Final remarks, lessons learnt & next steps
Ingemar Jacobsson, Director Material Solutions, Development & Technology, Tetra Pak
Rob Hoitink, R&D Packaging Lead, Nestlé
Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO – Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
15:30 End
With support from : Bern Economic Development Agency
GETTING THERE:
BERNEXPO, Entrance A
See general map of the venue and more specific details to access Entrance A and Parking
For those arriving by car : parking rates are: first hour CHF 4.00, CHF 2.00 per additional 30 minutes. daily maximum for 24 hours CHF 38.00
For those arriving by train/tramt the nearest station is Wankdorf Center (3 min walk)

Walking the Valley: Meet the Swiss Food Ecosystem - For International Startups
2024-06-12 09:30 - 13:30 | Impact Hub Lausanne, Beaulieu Circulaire, Av. Bergières 10, Lausanne, 1004, Switzerland
Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley’s (SFNV) “Walking the Valley: Meet the Swiss Food Ecosystem” is an official side event of the Hack Summit for international startups. In its third edition, our goal is to introduce the attending international startups to key actors of the Swiss Food Ecosystem that comprise the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley. Swiss startups will also share their experience with building a business in Switzerland. To get an idea of the energy in the room, watch the highlight film by clicking the link here.
This event is for international startups that want to meet Swiss food ecosystem players from corporations like Nestlé, dsm-firmenich, Givaudan, ADM, Tetra Pak; with SMEs like Agilery and Fredag; through innovation enablers like MassChallenge and Kickstart Innovation; to governmental representatives like Canton Vaud and Canton Fribourg. You will also hear from Swiss startups about their experience in building a business in Switzerland.
REGISTER
All registrations will be reviewed and confirmations sent accordingly. This event has limited seats so we welcome a maximum of 2 persons per organisation.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:00 Coffee meet & greet
10:00 – 10:15 Welcome & overview by Christina Senn-Jakobsen, SFNV CEO & Katarzyna Winek, Head of Innovation Scaling and Global Engagement
10:15 – 10:30 In the hiking boots of Swiss startups: Q&A with Swiss startups
10:30 – 11:00 Global startups 1 min powerpitches & group picture
11:00 – 12:15 Walking the Valley: Speed dating with Swiss Ecosystem Players: Government, Large Enterprises, Investors, SME’s & Innovation Enablers
12:15 – 13:15 Innovation Lunch & Networking

Supported by

Investing in the Valley: Meet the Swiss FoodTech Startups – For Investors
2024-06-12 14:30 - 17:30 | Impact Hub Lausanne, Beaulieu Circulaire, Av. Bergières 10, Lausanne, 1004, Switzerland
Com CiSwiss Food & Nutrition Valley’s (SFNV) “Investing in the Valley” is an official side event of the Hack Summit. This year will be its first edition and the goal is to introduce investors to Swiss FoodTech startups.
REGISTER
​“Investing in the Valley” is for Investors that want to get inspired, network and meet Swiss FoodTech startups that are open for investments.
​Agenda
​14:30-15:00 Meet & greet coffee, discover startups at their booths
​15:00-15:30 Fireside chat: Investing in Swiss FoodTech
​15:30-16:30 Meet the Swiss FoodTech startups (pitches & demos):

​ALLSUPPS: Game changing supplements
​Actidot: Swiss recovery drink
​Luya: Plant-based meat from fermented okara
​KONOÏ: Nutritious products from hemp
​Nuuro: Personal AI nutritionist
​Sallea: Edible scaffolds for cultivated meat
​Emotion Food Company: Tools for people suffering from chewing disorders
​Voltiris: Solar modules for greenhouses
​Gamaya: Digital agronomy solutions
​ProSeed: Raw materials from upcycled by-products
​Kidemis: Sustainable alternative to fishmeal and fish oil
​Verto: Transparent marketplace for commodity products

​16:30-17:30 Apéro & networking
​17:30 Event ends
Don’t miss our quarterly updates of Valley startups seeking investment to scale their innovative solutions by registering here.

Supported by

Hack Summit 2024
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-14 | Bern
When bold founders, active funders and savvy operators collide to make the deals that redefine our future.
The HackSummit isn’t just an event. It’s a full week of activities and gatherings where Climate innovation takes over the lakeside city of Lausanne. Join us for a full week and turn your trip into the most productive 5-days of 2024.
Join the debates with industry frontrunners to get exclusive insights, early signals and first hand data to leapfrog your competition.

1,000 founders, funders and operators
100+ high impact Climate speakers
5 days of dinners and parties
2-day summit programme
20 networking side events
40 countries represented

Click the link below to find out more and reserve your seat.

GDI | 4th International Food Innovation Conference
2024-06-19 09:00 - 17:00 | GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Langhaldenstrasse 21, Rüschlikon, 8803, Switzerland
Culture Clash: When Food Innovation Meets Tradition
Did you know that the people in France and Italy spend more time eating than others? Or that the French and Italian cuisines are on the UNESCO World Heritage list? The art of good cooking and shared enjoyment are deeply rooted in the cultures of both countries, and they contribute to their national identities in a unique way.
The Swiss traditionally enjoy cheese fondue – made from Gruyère and Vacherin! Prepared in a well-established ritual, eaten in convivial company. Adventurous souls reach for cashew cheese. However, in a food culture dominated by dairy products, can cashew fondue ever develop from a niche vegan product into a real sustainable alternative?
At the 4th International Food Innovation Conference, we’ll be talking to thought leaders, industry and nutrition experts about the cultural hurdles that innovations must overcome during production, preparation and consumption. We’ll also identify cultural opportunities. For example, when established habits and rituals enable more sustainable enjoyment.

What social developments, trends and values are shaping food culture?
How much “cultural DNA” do new foods, dishes and recipes need in order to be socially acceptable?
How can industrials, retailers and restaurateurs avoid “culture shock” when marketing new foods? Or should they consciously create it?
How can you create a sustainable food culture experience?

The leading International Food Innovation Conference is important for anyone interested in how to drive forward the transformation to a sustainable food system within the given cultural context. It will offer interdisciplinary insight for representatives from the industrial, retail, food, consulting and healthcare sectors as well as discussions of solutions along the entire value-creation network, from product development to distribution and consumption.

Fokus Food Save
2024-06-28 09:00 - 15:00 | Kongresszentrum Kreuz, Bern, Zeughausgasse 41, Bern, 3011, Switzerland
Fokus Food Save is a compact impulse event. It brings together the most innovative Food Save personalities from science, business and administration.
The event consists of the United Against Waste association meeting, an informative input event with break-out sessions and time for networking and exchange. Meet the best people in the industry and gain valuable inspiration.

Sustainable Farming: accelerating the adoption of regenerative agriculture
2024-07-01 12:30 - 13:30 | Online event
SFNV Impact Forums are one-hour online seminars featuring Swiss and international experts that delve into the topics behind our Impact Platforms.
Why attend?
In just 60 minutes you’ll hear the latest insights from four expert speakers and then share knowledge and explore synergies with other attendees in our quick-fire Q&A session.
What?
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming system, designed to work in harmony with nature. Regenerative approaches can improve water and air quality, enhance ecosystem biodiversity, produce more nutrient-dense food, and store carbon to address climate change, while maintaining or improving economic sustainability.
Despite offering clear benefits for both farmers and the environment in the longer term, adoption remains relatively slow. What more can we do to help farmers mitigate the initial risks and costs of adopting regenerative practices today, to continue to scale these approaches in future?
Who?
The session will be led by the Valley’s CEO, Christina Senn-Jakobsen, a passionate advocate for food system sustainability. She’ll be joined by three expert speakers from the Valley’s ecosystem.

Alex von Hettlingen, Founder & Managing Director, Regenerativ Schweiz
Dr Anita Frehner, Research Scientist, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL)
Piera Waibel, Senior Advisor Regenerative Agriculture & Supply Switzerland for the Earthworm Foundation
Philippe Birker, COO & Co-Founder Climate Farmers

Would you like to join us?Just RSVP using the form below to save your seat in the virtual room and then drop into the Zoom meeting on the day using the details below.
Join Zoom Meeting
Can’t make it this time? We’ll be organising Impact Forums throughout 2024. Keep an eye on the Valley event calendar and LinkedIn or tell us about the topics you’re interested in and we’ll be in touch as soon as the events are scheduled in!

SFNV Valley After Hours at Grangeneuve, co-hosted with État de Fribourg & Agroscope
2024-07-02 16:30 - 19:30 | Grangeneuve, Rte de Grangeneuve 31, Posieux, Fribourg, 1725, Switzerland
Join us for Valley After Hours at beautiful Grangeneuve co-hosted with État de Fribourg and Agroscope on Tuesday July 2. This exclusive networking event will be a treat to engage your minds in the dynamics of Agrifood systems plus a short onsite tour of the Grangeneuve infrastructure.
Valley After Hours is curated by SFNV partners for SFNV partners to amplify networking and collaboration opportunities in an informal setting. Expect to meet a mix of SFNV partners, investors, industry experts, and a room full of curious minds from the Swiss food tech ecosystem.
How to get there? Here is a useful site map to find your way.
Meeting point is at the main building : R – Acceuil
Agenda
16:30 – Arrival, coffee & refreshments
16:45 – Welcome by SFNV & presentations

“Agroscope – The National Competence Center for Research in the Agriculture and Food Sector – an overview about our system approach in research and a glimpse into the future with exciting new capabilities at our new research campus in Posieux”

Mr. Fabian Wahl, Head of “Food Microbial Systems” Research Division, Agroscope

“The future of the dairy industry in the Canton of Fribourg”

Mr. Pascal Toffel, Director and Mr. Thomas Rime, Head of the Development and Innovation sector, Grangeneuve

“Fribourg Agri & Food strategy, the interplay of public policies at federal, cantonal and municipal levels supporting the development of an exemplary food ecosystem”

Mr. Jerry Krattiger, Director, Fribourg Development Agency
17:20 – Round Table: the future of dairy in the context of an evolving food system
18:00 – Grangeneuve Site-visit
18:40 – Networking – Apéro offered by Grangeneuve’s kitchen with the label “Fourchette verte” and is approved “Terroir Fribourg”
19:30 – End of event
For any questions, contact events@sfnv.ch

Wonders of Taste and SFNV Valley After Hours hosted by Givaudan
2024-09-09 14:00 - 20:30 | Givaudan International, Kemptpark 50, Kemptthal, 8310, Switzerland
AGENDA
Part 1: Wonders of Taste by Givaudan
14:00 – Arrival & Registration
14:15 – The Wonders of Taste Opening
Welcome by Alex Bastos, Givaudan Head Front End Innovation
14:30 – Masschallenge Startups to convince the Shark Tank
Selected startups come back, now with tailored and sharp pitches: Specialty novel ingredients, micro-algae, fermentation, cost effective tools, upcycling, nutrition, sustainable materials and more

AlgaeforFood
Angry Camel
CellX Biosolutions
EcoBean
FOTORTEC
Change Bio
Seaqure labs
Myriad Optics
Reify Nutrition
Rosalind Bioculture
Updairy
Veritas
Yeastime

16:00 – How to REALLY accelerate foodtech nowadays
A panel discussion between startups, investors and corporates on how to move the needle and create more successful storiesClosing & Thank you’s
16:30 – Networking
Startups, accelerators, investors, B2C, B2B corporate innovators

Part 2: SFNV Valley After Hours
16:45 – Arrival & Registration
17:00 – Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley After Hours
Welcome by Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO, SFNV
17:10 – Keynote :: Back to the Future… of Food
Sarah Diaz, Global Marketing Manager Culinary, Givaudan will present an exciting and inspiring trip to the future, leveraging the latest AI based futurescaping platforms of Givaudan, looking at trends and weak signals which will shape up the food of the future
17:30 – SFNV Power-pitches
Hear from SFNV Startups for 1 min pitches and have the opportunity to network and try samples during the apéro.

Actidot
Cleangreens
foodflows
Saya Suka

17:40 – ZIC Tour :: Travelling to the Future
An exciting tour through the Givaudan Zurich Innovation Center, its capabilities, tools, products and technologies emerging and designing what consumers may be eating in the future
19:00 – Apéro, Networking & Power Pitches
Attention to Valley Partners : Do you want to take part in informal power pitches? Do you want to contribute some tasty samples or products during the apéro? Please contact us and let’s make it happen.
About Valley After Hours: a curated event by SFNV partners for SFNV partners to amplify networking and collaboration opportunities in an informal setting. Expect to meet a mix of industry experts from large enterprises, academia, innovation enablers, SME’s and a room full of curious minds from the Swiss food tech ecosystem. The power of this event will not be in a PowerPoint but in the interactive in-person networking exchange. It is also an opportunity for the hosts to spotlight their organisation and give a sneak peek into innovation worth sharing.
Would you like to host the next Valley After Hours? Please reach out to our team !

Agro Food Innovation Forum
2024-09-10 10:30 - 18:00 | INNOSpace Bern, Gurtenbrauerei 31, Köniz, 3084, Switzerland
Perspective matters! Stepping towards a Next Generation of cooperation and a future-oriented food system. How? By deeply understanding the diverse perspectives and challenges. At the 6th Agro Food Innovation Forum from Swiss Food Research we will be highlighting the perspectives and hurdles of all parties and showing innovative ways and investment strategies to drive the change we need.

ZFV-Living Lab Innovation Call | Online
2024-09-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Online event
Agenda
1. Welcome and Introduction
Presented by Katarzyna Winek, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
2. ZFV Operations – Understand the daily business of gastronomy and the hotel industry and its challenges
Presented by Christian Gerber, ZFV-Unternehmungen
3. ZFV-Living Lab (ZLL) – Project Presentation
Presented by Christian Gerber, ZFV-Unternehmungen
4. Startup Presentations – 1 minute elevator pitch per startup

Establishing the connection to the ZFV business
Discussion: How can your solution help ZFV?
Evaluating the relevance of the solution

5. Discussion and Q&A
6. Conclusion and Next Steps
