Think. Act. Disrupt.

There is no bigger industry than food and agriculture, as almost 8 billion lives depend on it daily. Technology is slowly becoming one of the most important contributors in food’s journey from farms to our plates, making an increasing impact on the industry each year. Food Tech Congress is bringing together top global investors, entrepreneurs and government leaders for exclusive talks and hands-on learning experiences. The main stage is where you’ll explore the industry’s insights, learn from the best, and connect with people who build things – your next big thing starts here, on the main stage.

The digital transformation has had a radical effect on the entire food supply chain. From food processing to logistics, safety, and quality testing, innovations act as a key driver to optimise processes, increase transparency and cut costs. Last year alone, supply chain issues drove a $3.1bn investment in Midstream Tech, making it the second-highest funded food tech vertical of the year. As technologies advance, the industry will be facing vast changes at every level of the supply chain. When if not now is the best time to invest?

Food science is slowly shifting away from identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies to designing products that provide more concrete health benefits. The emergence of multivitamin and other functional food supplement products laid a solid foundation for the food industry to enter the wellness and New Tech space. As consumers start to focus more on their health and diet, the demand for functional food is rising rapidly. It is estimated that by 2025, the revenue generated by the global functional food market is going to grow by 40%. With the help of innovations, functional food will be shaping the future of the food industry and is no passing fad.

As modern consumer preferences change and become more sustainable, alternative proteins have been a major topic of discussion over the last decade. It is estimated that the global alternative protein market is growing by 9.5% yearly and will be worth €15 billion by 2025. From plant-based protein to mycoprotein, insect powder and lab-grown meat, Food Tech is accelerating in developing sustainable proteins that will revolutionise the food industry. These significant innovations are the key to meet the increasing demands of the fast-growing population, improve nutrition and reduce global warming issues.

Food waste is a serious problem across the entire supply chain. From agricultural production to the consumption stage, about a third of all food produced for human consumption gets wasted each year. It equals to around 1.6 billion tonnes of waste that creates 3.3 billion tons of CO2. As the need to tackle this crisis rises, the demand for alternatives is growing fast. Food Tech companies are already developing food-sharing apps, “smart” storage systems, high-tech packaging and turning waste into energy. The food industry is experiencing more changes and challenges than ever, and it is only a matter of time when emerging technologies in this sector will start to boom.

In a world dominated by smart technology, the Food and Beverage industry is undergoing a revolution. Businesses globally are adopting personalisation to improve customer experience, diet and health, making it one of the biggest trends in Food Tech. Be it custom-made food and drinks based on the customer’s DNA, 3D-printed vitamins, personalised diet plans, or computer-aided intelligence for recipe creation, personalisation will be taking the food industry by storm. Thus, we will explore how businesses are evolving to capture the newest opportunities in this market over the next decade.