Innovators in agritech and sustainable food systems have a new global platform to scale their ideas as MassChallenge Switzerland opens applications for the Sustainable Food Challenge 2026. The initiative connects promising startups with eight of the world’s biggest food and agriculture corporations, offering opportunities for pilot projects, joint ventures, and investments.
The challenge, closing on 17 November 2025, seeks groundbreaking solutions that can reshape the global food ecosystem from regenerative agriculture and precision farming to alternative proteins, circular food production, and sustainable packaging.
A Platform for Agritech Growth and Global Partnerships
Selected startups will gain direct access to decision-makers from Bühler Group, Givaudan, Mars, Omya, dsm-firmenich, Louis Dreyfus Company, Tate & Lyle, and SIG. Through matchmaking sessions, the chosen innovators will meet R&D and sustainability executives to explore collaborations that could lead to proof-of-concept pilots, partnerships, and long-term investments.
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In June 2026, the most promising collaborations will take the stage at the Sustainable Food Challenge Day in Switzerland, where each corporate partner will showcase a joint project developed with their selected startup.
Startups chosen for the event will receive 1,000 CHF in travel support and significant global visibility through MassChallenge’s media and corporate networks.
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Driving Circular Innovation in the Global Food Chain
The 2026 Challenge focuses heavily on circularity, encouraging startups to turn agricultural waste such as corn, soy, and potato by-products into high-value materials, ingredients, or packaging solutions. Eligible ventures should already have a working prototype or proof of concept and be ready to scale in partnership with multinational corporations.
MassChallenge says the competition is open to startups worldwide, though collaborations will mainly take place in Europe. The programme provides an equity-free pathway to scale technologies addressing some of the food industry’s biggest sustainability challenges, including carbon reduction, traceability, and supply chain efficiency.
Since its launch, MassChallenge Switzerland has accelerated more than 950 startups, raising over CHF 2 billion and creating nearly 60,000 jobs globally. Past participants include NoPalm Ingredients, which partnered with Bühler to develop palm oil alternatives, and Floré by Sun Genomics, which expanded its personalised nutrition business through collaboration with dsm-firmenich.
For more details or to apply, visit the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Challenge portal or join the information webinar on 6 November 2025 at 16:00 CET.
