Key Takeaways
- FoodTech World Cup returns in 2026, hosted by Nestlé and FoodHack for the second year.
- Applications are open until February 27, 2026, for early-stage Food BioTech startups.
- The competition focuses on biotechnology-driven innovation across the food system.
- Fifteen startups will be shortlisted, with five finalists pitching live at HackSummit 2026.
- Winners of the FoodTech World Cup will be announced in Lausanne, Switzerland.
FoodTech World Cup 2026 Opens Global Call for Food BioTech Startups
The FoodTech World Cup is returning in 2026 as Nestlé and FoodHack announced the opening of applications for the second edition of the global startup competition. The initiative aims to spotlight emerging startups developing biotechnology-driven solutions across the food value chain.
Applications are now open and will close on February 27, 2026. The FoodTech World Cup targets Stealth- to Seed-stage startups operating at the intersection of food and biotechnology, with a focus on foundational technologies shaping future food systems.
“At Nestlé, we’re committed to advancing innovative products and services that unlock the power of food and enhance quality of life,” said Maria Eugenia Barcos, Startup Program Lead at Nestlé. “We strongly believe in collaboration as a catalyst for meaningful innovation—bringing together startups, science, and industry to address challenges that truly matter for consumers, society, and the planet.”
