Contributing to the market launch of new business and research projects that represent real practical advances in the field of food and beverage production and preservation is the main objective of the Emprende and Innova awards, granted by Alimentaria FoodTech. The equipment, ingredients and technology trade show for the food industry will take place from September 26 to 29, 2023 at Fira de Barcelona.
The business effort involved in undertaking and researching innovative technologies in the field of beverage production and preservation will be rewarded at the Alimentaria FoodTech trade show, whose Emprende and Innova awards have opened a call to receive project applications.
In all cases, the innovation they present must represent a significant, useful and rapidly applicable advance to the market, according to the criteria of a jury made up of representatives of the business world, technology centres and relevant academic institutions in the food industry transformation sector. Likewise, its competitive advantages, its commercial viability, its financial plan and the attractiveness of its business model for potential investors will be assessed.
The deadline for submitting applications for the awards is June 23 and the winning projects will be announced during the course of Alimentaria FoodTech 2023.
For Ricardo Márquez, director of Alimentaria FoodTech, “promoting innovation and entrepreneurship is a priority for the trade show, which is why we intend to give maximum visibility and support to initiatives that go in this direction. For this, we have the valuable collaboration of the most important technology centres, sectoral associations and industry companies in the country”.
Recognition of technological innovations
The Emprende awards distinguish those initiatives of newly created companies with headquarters and registration in Spain that provide outstanding technological innovation in the production, transformation and preservation of food and beverages. These awards represent important support in the promotion of business ideas developed by startups, technology-based firms and spin-offs from the machinery, technology and food ingredients sector that aspire to enter the market.
In addition, for the first time, the Emprende Award is structured into four categories, depending on the impact of the transformation and/or conservation project; in sustainability and/or circular economy; in health and/or well-being and in Smart Agro.
The companies that win the Emprende Awards will have the opportunity to have a space in the FoodTech Innovarena area of Alimentaria FoodTech 2023 to present their innovation, which will allow them to schedule interviews with some of the 125 buyers from 25 countries invited by the contest -double that of the last edition. In addition, they will be able to establish networking meetings with exhibitors at the trade fair, scientific and research centres, technology platforms, investors, and incubator or accelerator companies.
For their part, the Innova awards are a recognition of the most innovative products or services presented exclusively by exhibitors at Alimentaria FoodTech 2023 and that have already been launched on the market. They are structured into five categories: Processes and transformation; Food safety, hygiene and quality; Sustainability and circular economy; Digitization; and Health and well-being, the latter two newly created.
To promote these recognitions, Alimentaria FoodTech relies on the collaboration of its scientific committee, chaired by Professor Buenaventura Guamis, Professor of Food Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and which includes associations such as the Ainia technology centre, the Association of Manufacturers and Marketers of Food Additives and Supplements (AFCA), the Institute for Agro-Food Research and Technology (IRTA), the Spanish Federation of Food and Beverages (FIAB), the Eurecat Technology Centre of Catalonia and the Triptolemos Foundation, among other leading organizations in the sector.
Investments on the rise
A total of 412 startups are part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Foodtech sector in Spain, according to data from ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones in its Spain Foodtech Nation 2022 Report: Addressing new challenges across the food value chain, this body stresses that investment in this industry increased by 9.38% last year, reaching 268 million euros. In addition to attracting national and international investors, it is estimated that these emerging companies collaborate with more than 30,000 companies dedicated to food processing, as well as more than 50 specialized universities and 20 cutting-edge technology centres involved.
Alimentaria FoodTech is the main meeting point in Spain for the food and beverage equipment, technology and ingredient industries. The trade show will take place from September 26 to 29, 2023 at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía venue to promote commercial activity, business opportunities and exports of goods and equipment. The participation of around 200 direct exhibitors and a total of 500 represented brands is expected.
Barcelona, March 13th 2023
