Forward Fooding

🇦🇪🌾 Expanded partnership in the UAE aims to innovate sustainable agricultural practices for arid environments. Bayer and Silal have expanded their partnership through a memorandum of understanding signed at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Dubai. The collaboration focuses on advancing sustainable agriculture in desert environments, including digital farming solutions and a ForwardFarming demonstration site at Silal Innovation Oasis. Key initiatives include capacity building through Bayer’s BayG.A.P. program, vegetable seed trials, and digital monitoring platforms to support regenerative practices and adapt to arid climates. These efforts aim to enhance local food production and address climate challenges. By combining Bayer’s global expertise with Silal’s local knowledge, the partnership supports the UAE’s food security strategy while developing scalable solutions for arid regions worldwide. More information in the full AgTechNavigator article: https://lnkd.in/ejHwJuYi #ForwardFooding #uae #agriculture #agtech #innovation #sustainability #climatechange

🧑🏼🌾🌾 FoodTech 500 alum enters new partnership to advance precision agriculture. CropX , a leader in precision agronomy, has partnered with CLAAS, a global agricultural machinery manufacturer, to integrate their platforms. This collaboration allows CLAAS users to import machine data into the CropX system for analysis and to create variable rate application tasks. The CropX platform uses satellite and field data combined with AI to deliver insights on irrigation, nitrogen management, and crop protection. With CLAAS as the latest compatible brand, users can create precision maps and incorporate harvest data to improve planning. This partnership enhances interoperability, enabling farmers to boost productivity and resource efficiency. Read the full Global Ag Tech Initiative article here: https://lnkd.in/eAFfqtPB #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #agtech #precisionagriculture #agriculture #innovation

🧑🏻🍳🍽️ FoodTech 500 alum aims to provide comprehensive digital solutions to the global restaurant industry with its newest acquisition. Deliverect has acquired Tabesto, an all-in-one restaurant ordering and payment kiosk solution, to expand its offerings beyond online order management. Tabesto’s smart kiosk technology will enhance in-store service in France, Switzerland, the UK, Benelux, and Spain. Guillaume Hourmant, Tabesto’s CEO, will join Deliverect as Head of Deliverect Kiosk, driving its strategy and growth. With the self-service market projected to hit $63B by 2027, Tabesto’s kiosks streamline ordering, reduce wait times, and boost sales by up to 30%. Restaurants can integrate these kiosks with existing POS systems and centralize menu management, enabling seamless operations and an elevated customer experience. This acquisition builds on Deliverect’s recent innovations, including Deliverect Pulse, a marketing intelligence platform, and Deliverect Retail, a grocery and convenience sector solution. By integrating Tabesto’s kiosks into its ecosystem, Deliverect reinforces its commitment to helping restaurants digitize and thrive in the modern food service landscape. Read the full Business Wire article here: https://lnkd.in/euKG7Yh8 #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #restauranttech #technology #innovation

🇸🇬🍫 FoodTech 500 alum takes on the challenge of making chocolate more sustainable. Singaporean FoodTech startup Prefer | bean-free coffee has unveiled a cocoa-free chocolate prototype aimed at reducing the environmental and economic strain of traditional chocolate. CEO Jake Berber highlights skyrocketing cocoa prices and climate challenges as drivers for this innovation, with plans to launch the product for B2B use and host pop-ups in Singapore. Leveraging its fermentation technology, Prefer’s cocoa-free chocolate mimics the taste and aroma of traditional cocoa while cutting costs and emissions, much like its successful beanless coffee. A larger production facility will enable commercial scaling by early 2025. More information in the full Green Queen Media article: https://lnkd.in/euE5gtzX #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #chocolate #sustainability #fermentation #innovation

🌾💰 A new fund in Latin America focuses on regenerative agriculture. Astarte Capital Partners LLP, in collaboration with Toesca Asset Management, has launched a $350 million investment fund focused on regenerative agriculture in Chile and Latin America. The fund will invest in permanent crops based on sustainable and regenerative practices, aiming to capitalize on Chile’s competitive advantages and expand into Peru and other Latin American markets. The portfolio will target high-performance orchards that align with environmental, social, and operational standards, with investments starting in early 2025. The fund’s focus on permanent crops is driven by growing global demand due to shifts in consumer preferences towards healthier eating and their role in food security. Carlos Saieh of Toesca and Teresa Farmaki of Astarte emphasize the project's significant economic potential and positive environmental and social impact. With extensive experience managing natural capital assets across South America, both firms believe this regenerative agriculture platform presents a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainability and food security in the region. Read the full AgTechNavigator article here: https://lnkd.in/eGXW9b9z

🌿💰 FoodTech 500 alum secures funding to address food security and climate change with its protein innovation. Arborea secured $5.2M in funding to build a commercial-scale facility for its Biosolar Leaf system. This innovative platform industrializes photosynthesis to cultivate high-value microalgae proteins using sunlight as its primary feedstock, while sequestering carbon and releasing oxygen. The Biosolar Leaf system is known for the following attributes: 👉 modular, soil-free platform 👉 requires minimal resources (5,000 times less land and 40 times less water) 👉 outperforms plant-based protein sources in efficiency and environmental impact 👉 captures CO2 directly from the air by utilizing barren land or rooftops 👉 minimizes freshwater usage 👉 eliminates nutrient runoff Arborea’s protein products are versatile, clean-label ingredients that cater to the food, beverage, supplement, and cosmetic markets. With the new funding, the company aims to expand production and collaborate with research institutions to enhance the taste profile of its proteins. Learn more in the full Green Queen Media article: https://lnkd.in/ejKqE7Ry #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #altprotein #futurefood #innovation #foodsecurity #climateaction

🧑🏼🌾🤝🏻 FoodTech 500 alum enters collaboration to integrate innovative nitrogen solutions into modern crop management systems. Leading Agtech innovator Pivot Bio has partnered with Hefty Seed Company, one of the largest independent agriculture retailers in the U.S. Starting next year, Pivot's microbial nitrogen source, PROVEN® 40, will be available at Hefty’s 49 locations in 10 states. Pivot Bio's PROVEN® 40 boasts of the following attributes: - sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional fertilizers - enhances crop nutrient efficiency - reduces nitrogen loss - protects yield potential The partnership also offers farmers personalized nitrogen plans and data-driven recommendations through Hefty’s trusted advisors and Pivot Bio’s agronomy team. Additionally, Hefty customers can benefit from programs like Pivot Bio’s N-OVATOR, which creates revenue opportunities through sustainable farming practices. Read the full PR Newswire article for more details: https://lnkd.in/ezj79bWY #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #agtech #innovation #farming #agriculture

🌱💰 FoodTech 500 alum raises funding to expand its presence in the plant-based peptide sector. Irish biotech startup Nuritas has secured $42M in Series C funding to scale its AI-powered Magnifier platform, which accelerates the discovery of plant-based peptides. Backed by investors including M&G Investments and U2’s Bono and The Edge, the company plans to expand its peptide offerings, grow B2B partnerships, and launch new ingredients in 2025. Nuritas’ flagship product, PeptiStrong, supports muscle recovery and repair, while PeptiYouth focuses on anti-aging skincare—both are already integrated into global consumer products. Using AI and genomics, Nuritas' platform identifies peptides significantly faster than traditional methods, boasting an 80% clinical success rate. With major clients like Nestlé and Mars, Nuritas delivers innovative, evidence-backed solutions for global health challenges. CEO Dr. Nora K. highlights its mission to create healthier ingredients, positioning the company as a leader in the fast-growing vegan peptide market. More information in the full Green Queen Media article: #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #futurefoods #nutrition #innovation #artificialintelligence

👨🏻🌾🌾 FoodTech 500 alum expands further in the US. Swiss Agtech leader Ecorobotix is expanding its presence in the U.S. with new offices in Washington State, a growing dealer network, and an expanded team. The company aims to strengthen precision farming nationwide through its flagship ARA ultra-high-precision sprayer, which uses AI-powered Plant-by-Plant technology to reduce chemical use, cut costs, and minimize environmental impact. As part of its U.S. growth strategy, Ecorobotix has welcomed Chrissy Wozniak as U.S. Marketing & Communications Manager. With extensive experience in agriculture communications, Wozniak is set to drive innovative marketing strategies and build strong industry connections to support farmers and the company’s mission. Ecorobotix’s U.S. Managing Director, Marcus Lung, highlighted the importance of these milestones in advancing sustainable farming practices. The company’s cutting-edge technology not only helps farmers produce healthier food but also contributes to soil preservation and a reduced ecological footprint. Learn more in the full GlobeNewswire article: https://lnkd.in/eN5MZYXs #ForwardFooding #FoodTech500 #agtech #agriculture #farming #ai #artificialintelligence

🍴🧫 FoodTech 500 alum unveils its culinary advisory board. French cell-based food company GOURMEY launched the industry's first culinary advisory board, enlisting Michelin-starred chefs Claude Le Tohic, Rasmus Munk, and Daniel Calvert. The board will collaborate to enhance Gourmey's foie gras, blending traditional culinary artistry with sustainable innovation. The advisory board marks a significant milestone for Gourmey as it seeks regulatory approvals in Europe, Singapore, the US, the UK, and Switzerland. Each chef brings unique perspectives: Le Tohic excels in French classics, Calvert in Japanese-French fusion, and Munk in boundary-pushing gastronomy. CEO Nicolas Morin-Forest highlighted chefs’ pivotal role in shaping the product’s future, introducing it to global audiences, and advancing the company’s vision of sustainable, high-end meat production. More information in the full The Cell Base article: https://lnkd.in/eyzEAVFV #ForwardFooding #FoodTech #cultivatedmeat #futurefood #innovation #sustainability #altprotein