Sustainable Food Challenge 2027: Open Doors to Global Agrifood Corporates
MassChallenge Switzerland has opened the Sustainable Food Challenge 2027, a matchmaking programme that connects food and agtech startups with global food corporations looking for solutions to scale. There are no fees and no equity taken. Applications close on 25 November 2026, and startups from any country can apply.
For: later-stage startups and scale-ups with data and traction. Cost: free, no equity. Benefit: shortlisting by corporate partners, a joint pitch at the Challenge Day in Switzerland in June 2027, CHF 1,000 travel contribution. Deadline: 25 November 2026.
How the challenge works
The Sustainable Food Challenge exists to close the gap between startup innovation and large-scale implementation. Startups apply online, and MassChallenge shares the applications with its corporate partners in the food industry. Each partner shortlists the startups it wants to meet.
Selected startups then build a joint collaboration idea with a corporate partner and pitch it together at the Sustainable Food Challenge Day in Switzerland in June 2027. The aim is a pilot, a commercial deal or an investment, not just a prize.
What the partners are looking for
The challenge covers sustainable food and feed, agtech and regenerative agriculture, supply chain solutions and sustainable packaging. Earlier editions also focused on circularity, turning food industry sidestreams into valuable products.
It is designed for companies that are ready to scale: you will need data and traction that show your solution works. One past participant, Floré by Sun Genomics, sped up its collaboration with dsm-firmenich after taking part.
Why corporate partnerships matter
For a food startup, one corporate pilot can be worth more than a year of sales calls. Bulgarian companies in our network have shown how this works: TRACEGROUND made food traceable from field to table at the country's largest retail chain, and The Good Club turned employee benefits into measurable impact with New Horizons Bulgaria. Rosey's Mark reached Japan through the EU Trade Mission.
Three tips for a strong application
Lead with numbers. Volumes, customers, cost or emission savings: partners shortlist on proof.
Name the partner benefit. Explain what a food corporation gains from working with you, not only what you need.
Be ready for June. Selected startups must attend the Challenge Day in Switzerland.
Find more challenges like this
Corporate challenges, accelerators and prizes are among the funding routes AgriVentures tracks next to EU grants and venture capital. Paste your website into our AI funding scanner to see which ones fit you, free and with no account. To get new food innovation calls matched to your profile, choose the Tailored membership, with a 7-day free trial.
Working on a food or drink innovation? Download our free guide Innovative Food and Beverages (in Bulgarian).
Sources: fundsforNGOs call summary, Ecosistema Startup, Forward Fooding interview with MassChallenge Switzerland, Sustainable Food Challenge 2026 page. Checked 1 November 2026.
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Agriventures Connect 3.0 is coming on 20th of April 2027 in Sofia, Bulgaria
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The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation
As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.
Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.
By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.
Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.
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