Foodtech accelerator Eatable Adventures has announced seven new investments in foodtech startups, expanding its portfolio to a total of 16 companies and reaching an accumulated investment of €2m in one year.
These projects address critical challenges in the agrifood industry, such as waste reduction, resource efficiency, and circular innovation.
Through its €30m fund, the company is channeling investments into transformative technologies, spanning biotechnology, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and genetics. These innovations support sustainable change in the agrifood sector, with a focus on precision agriculture, biomanufacturing, sustainable packaging, healthy new ingredients, and responsible supply chains.
The startups in Eatable Adventures’ portfolio have been carefully selected and supported through development European programs like Spain Foodtech and FoodSeed. These programs combine intensive mentorship, market access support, and strategic partnerships with leading industry players to accelerate the startups’ growth and market reach.
These selected startups are developing cutting-edge solutions to address agrifood challenges, implementing transformative technologies across the food system, from farm to table:
- Beadroots: Optimizes water use in agriculture with algae-based hydrogels, increasing productivity by 30%.
- Aflabox: Ensures food safety with instant detection of mycotoxins, using AI and UV light.
- Alkelux: Tackles food waste with antimicrobial solutions derived from licorice byproducts, tripling product shelf life.
- Asteasier: Meets the demand for natural astaxanthin, producing it more affordably with microalgae for nutrition and aquaculture.
- Nous: Offers a healthy alternative to traditional caffeine, enhancing cognitive benefits while reducing environmental impact.
- Vortex: Turns agricultural waste into a valuable resource with patented technology, creating high-value ingredients for multiple industries.
- Mama Science: Addresses plastic waste in packaging with biodegradable materials that extend food shelf life by up to 70%.
One of the recent success stories in the accelerator’s portfolio is Foreverland. This Italian startup has created a sustainable carob-based alternative to chocolate and recently raised €3.4m in a funding round co-led by Eatable Adventures to establish a manufacturing plant and expand operations across Europe.
“Our startups are not only at the forefront of innovation in the agrifood sector but are also making a positive impact on the environment and the economy. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in exceptional ESG evaluation results. Their capacity to reduce CO2 emissions and conserve limited resources underscores their commitment to a responsible and transformative approach,” said José Luis Cabañero, founder and CEO of Eatable Adventures.
Based on recent evaluations, these innovations are projected to reduce over 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions through advancements in precision agriculture and supply chain optimization. Additionally, they are expected to decrease water usage by more than 30% in food production processes, along with significant reductions in plastic, pesticide, and chemical fertilizer usage through biotechnological solutions. In social and economic terms, the portfolio companies have created around 60 high-value jobs in technology and biotechnology sectors, with an average of triple workforce growth in their first year of operation.
Jim Cornall is editor of Future Food Today and publisher at Ayr Coastal Media. He is an award-winning writer, editor, photographer, broadcaster, designer and author. Contact Jim here.