Switzerland's TOP foodtech startups 2020

22.10.2020 08:05, Isabelle Mitchell

The TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award ranking has become a benchmark in Switzerland’s startup ecosystem. To make sure the startups get all the attention they deserve, we will feature the top startups in each vertical. Switzerland’s TOP food startups 2020 provide innovative solutions that help us produce and eat healthier, safer, and more sustainable food.

Every year, the 100 most innovative and promising Swiss startups are picked by a panel of 100 leading investors and startup experts. Each jury member nominates 10 Swiss startups that are less than five years old and show the greatest commercial potential. The first-placed company gets 10 points, the second 9, and so on. All these individual rankings are compiled to generate the final TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award ranking, which recognizes the startups that have most impressed all 100 jury members. In the coming weeks, we will look at the top startups in each vertical.



1. AgroSustain
AgroSustain, a spin-off from the University of Lausanne and Venture Leader China 2020, has developed a natural vegetable product that fights mold. This extends the shelf life of fruit and vegetables significantly and thus minimizes food waste. For commercialization, the agrotech startup is relying on collaboration with partners in the Americas and Russia. 

2. yamo
yamo’s baby food with fresh ingredients and no artificial additives is popular not only in Switzerland but also in Germany and Austria. The most important sales channel is the online shop, but sales via the retail trade in Switzerland and Germany are also steadily expanding. This summer, yamo raised EUR 10.1 million to expand further.

3. Planted Foods
The meat substitute “Planted Chicken” from the ETH spin-off is hardly distinguishable from the real thing. The chicken made from vegetable pea protein is already available in more than 500 Coop branches and the Coop online shop. Planted Foods was supported by Venture Kick and raised CHF 7 million in growth capital last fall. The goal is to increase production capacity 10-fold and conquer new markets in Europe.

 

The best foodtech startup according to the TOP 100 Public Vote

The TOP 100 Public Vote runs parallel to the expert jury ranking and allows the public—everyone with a LinkedIn account can cast one vote—to choose the most promising startup.

Foodtech winner Public Vote: Kemiex
Kemiex combines private procurement software and an open raw-material exchange in an online B2B marketplace: The Zurich-based startup’s specialized trade and information platform improves the trading of raw materials in the feed, food, vet, and pharma industries. Kemiex is a Venture Leader China 2020.