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Copyright: ZFV-Living Lab © ZFV-UnternehmungenWhat happens when you facilitate an open innovation approach to build a more sustainable catering sector? The ZFV Living Lab (ZLL) set out to find out.  The ZLL gives start-ups, companies and academic institutions access...

As the global population is predicted to approach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for sustainable, efficient food production systems has become a critical challenge. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) – an advanced farming method that optimises plant growth by...

The Valley’s State of Play event on side stream valorisation brought Swiss industry leaders, innovators, startups and researchers together in Bern to explore how side streams can be upcycled into valuable and nutritious products - for the benefit of both planet and...

Taking a bite out of food system mythsBy Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO, Swiss Food & Nutrition ValleyWith April Fools’ Day just around the corner, we’re prepared for the hoaxes that weave their way into our favourite programmes and news platforms. But what about...

Switzerland is home to some of the world’s most advanced research institutions, driving innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and food. As the President of Valley partner EPFL and an expert in nanotechnology, Anna Fontcuberta i Morral brings a unique...

Valley partner and Appenzell-based startup UpGrain has been honored with the Swiss Sustainability Impact Award at this year’s START Summit in St. Gallen for its achievements in food upcycling. The award ceremony took place at Olma Messen St. Gallen. As Europe’s...

Forward Fooding has released the official full ranking of the FoodTech 500, identifying and celebrating the world’s most promising AgriFoodTech businesses.  Forward Fooding describes the 2024 edition as “a testament of how the global AgriFoodTech sector is currently...

Side stream valorisation focuses on repurposing by-products from food processing waste streams into high-value products. Rethink Resource plays a pivotal role in this space by offering guidance on projects around new value-creating opportunities for industrial side...

More and more people are reducing their meat consumption for sustainability, health, and animal welfare reasons. Valley partner Luya aims to meet growing demand for a versatile, organic protein source made from natural ingredients that’s good for both people and...

The future of food is personalised, functional, and built for better health. As science uncovers the deep links between nutrition and well-being, innovative startups are taking a leading role in redefining how we nourish people worldwide. Valley partners Givaudan,...

Food losses can occur at any stage of the supply chain, from production through to consumption, making cross-industry collaboration and innovation crucial for creating effective solutions. One approach to reducing food losses is side stream valorisation, whereby...

In the lead-up to our next Impact Forum on Controlled Environment Agriculture on 11 March, Bruno Cheval from cultivation technology specialists CleanGreens Solutions SA gave us a flavour of what’ll be on the menu during the event – from the way technology is...

Side stream valorisation is all about finding new ways to transform by-products from food processing waste streams into new, high-value products. This approach isn’t just about sustainability – it’s about smarter resource use, cross-industry collaboration, economic...

Valley partner Givaudan has announced an agreement to distribute upcycled Green Banana Powder produced by Dole Specialty Ingredients. This collaboration provides product developers with a natural, high-performing, clean-label texurising solution, while helping to...

Valley partner and Swiss startup, Voltiris, a leader in solar energy solutions for greenhouses, has successfully closed a CHF 4.8 million seed financing round to accelerate the electrification of high-tech greenhouses - a fast-growing $60 billion market. The round was...

The Igeho Rising Star Award celebrates innovation and excellence in the hospitality and food sectors. In 2023, EggField, a Swiss startup specializing in plant-based egg alternatives for B2B customers, emerged as one of the award’s standout winners.   We spoke with...

As a leading international trade fair for Switzerland’s hotel, catering, take-away and care industries, the Igeho offers a unique platform for exhibitors and visitors to engage in dialogue and promote innovation.  In 2023, Igeho launched the Igeho Rising Star Award to...

With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, scaling innovative protein solutions is essential to meeting both demand and climate targets. Cultured food could provide protein products that taste and feel like the animal-based original, but with a...

In 2023, Igeho launched the Igeho Rising Star Award to support founders and start-ups in the hospitality sector. Its second edition is now inviting all FoodTech startups to submit their applications by January 31, 2025. Fifteen start-ups will have the chance to...

Empowering citizens to drive food system transformationBy Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley“It’s the food companies!” he says.“It’s the government’s job to legislate,” she argues.“It’s people’s own responsibility,” others shout.“It’s the...

Valley partner, Givaudan, a global leader in flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions, has announced a new collaboration with Moonshot Pirates, a dynamic movement of young leaders and changemakers. The “Shape the Future” Challenge will inspire Gen Z...

On 4th December 2024, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, together with Valley partner The Cultured Hub brought together Swiss and international experts to explore the state of the industry and discuss how to collaborate to capitalise on opportunities for growth.The...

Nearly 29% of the global population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023. As the world population grows, we don’t only need to consider food availability - we need to find new solutions to ensure that  everyone has access to a nutritionally complete...

Swiss technology group Bühler today inaugurates its new Grain Innovation Center (GIC) in Uzwil, a trailblazing facility. The new application center marks a significant milestone in the field of grain processing innovation, combining high-tech solutions with the...

Valley partner, FoodYoung, a full-stack innovation lab and venture studio dedicated to transforming the food industry has officially opened its new state-of-the-art facility in Balerna, Switzerland. Combining cutting-edge food science, advanced food technology, and...

Concern about Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) is growing — but is processing really the problem? By Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO, Swiss Food & Nutrition ValleyImage: freepix.comIn recent months, the conversation around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has intensified...

Collaboration is crucial to allow food system innovation to flourish in Switzerland and beyond, according to Marie-France Tschudin, who was elected as Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley’s new Steering Committee Chair in May this year. Marie-France, former President of...

Valley Partner Planted, the Swiss FoodTech pioneer for plant-based meat made exclusively from clean ingredients, is further investing in capacity expansion with the addition of a new production facility in southern Germany. Based on fermentation technology, the site...

Swiss technology group Bühler is pleased to announce the acquisition of Esau & Hueber, a German company specializing in individual solutions in hygienic process and fermentation technology in the beverage, food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. The...

A Letter of Intent between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV) will lay strong foundations for an impactful partnership to scale innovative solutions and drive agrifood systems...

Valley partner Haelixa and regenagri have joined forces to spearhead the advancement of regenerative agriculture. Their innovative approach to monitoring and improving regenerative farming systems and ensuring the integrity of the supply chain using forensic science....

We recently held our third Impact Forum event, featuring four distinguished speakers who shared their insights on accelerating regenerative farming practices to restore harmony with nature. The event highlighted the urgent need to adopt regenerative agriculture as a...

Despite a reduction in start-up funding in recent years due to challenging economic markets, accelerators continue to provide access to vital networks and resources. The MassChallenge Switzerland 2024 accelerator program connects new companies with industry experts,...

The role of Innovation, Impact and Frontline Agricultural Nations in driving global food system transformationBy Christina Senn-Jakobsen, CEO, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley “I believe it’s time for us to shift our mindset and recognise how each nation can play to...

Every year before the Hack Summit, the Valley team invites global startups to meet Swiss food ecosystem actors at our annual Walking the Valley event. This year we were thrilled to introduce 23 startups to 11 Valley partners.  Watch the event recap video to find out...

On 11th June 2024, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley, together with Valley partners Nestlé and Tetra Pak, brought together 60 Swiss and European at a nationwide event in Bern. The joint project was designed to shine a light on some of the most promising approaches in...

On 17th May, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley held its 4th General Assembly in Bern. The team were thrilled to welcome Marie-France Tschudin as the new president of the SFNV Steering Committee. Watch the recap video below to get a sense of the day. Find out more...

Last month, we held our second Impact Forum event, bringing together 5 experts to explore how we can use AI to ensure food security for 10 billion people - in just 60 minutes. Topics spanned from leveraging satellite imagery to cellular analysis to data-driven...

 3 key food system challenges and how we can tackle themBy Christina Senn-Jakobsen, SFNV Managing Director “We have an urgent need for speed, scale, and collaboration if we’re to secure a resilient and livable future on this planet.” Our food systems are responsible...

Valley partners Givaudan and Bühler have teamed up with MISTA to open a state-of-the-art extrusion hub at the MISTA Innovation Center in San Francisco. The opening of this new facility advances MISTA’s capabilities in driving food innovation and highlights Givaudan's...

Switzerland-based food and food ingredients company Food Brewer teams up with Fruitful AI to use their advanced computer vision tools to create an automated media screening and cell selection platform. Food Brewer is developing a platform technology to produce food...

On 4 March, we held our first Impact Forum event, bringing together 4 experts to explore how we drive impact at scale in sustainable proteins in just 60 minutes. Topics spanned from technical innovations to the critical role of adapting interventions to diverse...