Startup spotlight
Nutraceutical innovations Startup Challenge
What does it offer?
Today’s startups, tomorrow’s leaders
The Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge offers nutraceutical startups targeting the health and wellbeing sector, an opportunity to develop their innovative projects through a specialised support programme.
Gain international exposure
Build invaluable connections
Get support from the experts
Fast-track your projects
Categories
This year, the Startup Challenge recognises emerging talent across the following categories:
This category covers finished nutraceutical products offering innovation in ingredient composition, consumer focus, or delivery format.
This category covers innovative ingredients for nutraceuticals, supplements, or functional food and beverages that can offer scientific substantiation of their efficacy.
This category covers innovations that support improvements in ingredients sourcing and production, food safety and quality, traceability, transparency, smart packaging, supply chain management, personalisation services, and/or digital and AI solutions supporting the nutraceutical industry.
This special prize will be awarded to the startup with the most sustainable innovation. All startup finalists across all categories can be considered for this award, with the winners being decided by the expert jury. The startup’s overall sustainability efforts will be considered, including efforts to reduce resource usage, minimize waste, and enhance both environmental and societal impact.
Who can enter?
All startups (active for 7 years or less) with innovative solutions for the nutraceutical industry focusing on ground-breaking finished nutraceutical products and ingredients for nutraceuticals, supplements, or functional food and beverages; and/or, innovative technologies, services, and digital solutions that support the nutraceutical industry.
Why enter?
Taking part in the Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge offers great exposure to all finalists. It gives them a unique opportunity to present their innovations on stage at the leading nutraceutical event and make invaluable industry connections with the leading nutraceutical experts.
There will be great prizes up for grabs for the category winners to choose from, including stand at Vitafoods Europe 2027 and various mentorship opportunities.
In addition, a special jury’s prize for the Most Innovative Sustainable Solution will be awarded to one of the category finalists.