Fi Europe Startup Innovation Challenge Testimonials
“The Startup Innovation Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for any startup to leverage their networking and fund-raising efforts. We benefitted significantly from our participation in the entire process. Due to the exposure during and after the challenge, we have been approached by many stakeholders in the industry who are willing to work with us.”
Dr Abhiram Dukkipati | Founder of Magellan Life Sciences, and winner of the 2018 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Healthy Food or Beverage Ingredient category
“The Startup Innovation Challenge is led by experts who quickly focus on the most important aspects of bringing innovations to the industry in terms of product taste (which is always 'the king'), product fitness, affordability, proof of concept within an industrial setting, validation from large industrial partners, IP and scalability.”
Dr Ilan Samish | Founder & CEO of Amai Proteins, and winner of the 2019 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Food or Beverage Ingredient category
“Being part of the Startup Innovation Challenge meant that we had the opportunity to not only present our innovations and plans to many visitors from companies, institutions and the public in general, but also, to investors. This networking was crucial to continue building collaboration opportunities with several players in the field.”
Edgar Suarez Garcia | CTO of FUMI Ingredients, and winner of the 2019 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Alternative Food or Beverage Ingredient category and EIT Food €10,000 Food Prize grant
“For us as a team, winning the challenge has proven to be pivotal in helping us raise our next round of investment funds. Having that validation from a third-party organisation that we are a truly innovative company pushing the boundaries of food science, food technology and food ingredients, has made it easier for us to attract the right investors to help us accelerate the use of these technologies. We’ve successfully raised USD$550,000 since the competition to invest into R&D, product development, sales and marketing which will assist in launching our first range of products and allow us to continue with future innovations.”
Christopher Kong, Co-Founder & Head of Business Development at Better Nature, and winner of the 2019 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Plant- or Cereal- Based Food or Beverage Ingredient category
“The first advice I have for startups is to apply, don't miss the chance to experience this great challenge. The feedback from the jury was very personalized and extremely wise. Winning the prize was also extremely helpful not only to be contacted by new investors and potential customers but also to reactivate some conversations we had in the past.”
Ricky Cassini | CEO and Co-Founder of Michroma, and winner of the 2020 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Food or Beverage Ingredient category
“Winning the Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge 2020 has truly opened up new opportunities for Sufresca and generated a lot of traction to our bespoke solution to reduce the high rates of food loss and waste and use of plastic in the food industry. The FI Global team is highly professional and a pleasure to work with, which made the whole experience particularly worthwhile, especially when facing the challenges of a world pandemic”
Ofir Daube | Product Manager of Sufresca, and winner of the 2020 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Processing Technology category
"Receiving this awards means a lot! First of all, it is confirmation that we are on the right track. Secondly, it helps us to spread our message to more people. We want to show them that this is the future – and this award does just that.”
Eugene Wang | Co-founder & CEO of Sophie's BioNutrients, and winner of the 2021 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Plant-Based or Alternative Ingredient category
“We are the only company using side streams for palm oil alternatives and, as such, reducing our customers’ carbon emissions. The award is great recognition that we are on the right path and that there is a bright future to come, and we are therefore very humbled to have won against such great competitors.”
Lars Langhout | Co-founder & CEO of NoPalm Ingredients, and winner of the 2021 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative F&B Ingredient or Processing Technology category
“Our technology enables Food and Beverages to adopt biotechnology like pharma. We shorten the development of biotech products by 10X and provide 200X higher chance of success at a fraction of cost. Being recognized as the most innovative technology supporting F&B as a first winner in Food Ingredient Global proves that we are achieving our mission.”
Peyman Salehian | Co-founder & CEO of NoPalm Ingredients, and winner of the 2021 Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Service or Technology Supporting F&B category
"We met leading companies of the food and beverage industry and with some we are already in product development phase. I can recommend applying to the Challenge. The effort put into the application really pays off when reaching the finals.”
Luca Fichtinger | Founder of Kern Tec and winner of the 2022 Fi Europe Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Food or Beverage Ingredient category
“The participation and prizes were great recognitions of the work we have been doing in the past two years. It really boosted our motivation and gave us reassurance that we were on the right path. We met a few potential investors, other start-ups with whom we can synergise and collaborate, and a few potential customers with whom we remain actively connected to this day.”
Farayde Matta Fakhouri | Chief Scientific Officer of Bio2Coat and winner of the 2022 Fi Europe Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Sustainable Solution and Most Innovative Service, Technology or Digital Solution categories
“We were able to establish relations with one potential client, and we received a more serious approach from other companies that we approached for the first time. Furthermore, the excitement surrounding our victory in the Challenge garnered compliments from existing clients, which saw it as an important recognition of the industry in Vanilla Vida's capabilities."
Gali Fried | Vice President of Business Development and Marketing of Vanilla Vida and winner of the 2022 Fi Europe Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Processing Technology category
“Exposure to the EU ingredients ecosystem and winning the prize has garnered significant recognition for Brevel both in Israel and globally. The achievement has generated substantial interest and positive buzz surrounding the company. Following our participation in the event, we received numerous approaches from individuals who had seen us there. Additionally, the PR efforts surrounding our success have resulted in a wave of inquiries and interest."
Yoav Earon | Chief Business Officer of Brevel and winner of the 2022 Fi Europe Startup Innovation Challenge in the Most Innovative Plant-Based or Alternative Ingredient category
