Explore the 2026 Agenda

• With the growing importance of a nutritious and resilient food system, how are key stakeholders engaging with and embracing innovation to get ahead of changing landscapes?
• What does meaningful innovation look like across the value chain, from production to consumption, and how can it be scaled responsibly?
• How are governments, investors, and corporates aligning around food system transformation, and where are the gaps in collaboration?
• What lessons can be learned from past innovation cycles, and how can we avoid repeating mistakes that lead to inequitable or unsustainable outcomes?

• After the first year of MAHA, what tangible changes have emerged, and how is the industry responding?
• On the journey to a healthier population, which aspects of the food system need reimagining through policy, business strategy, and product innovation?
• Whether front-of-pack labelling or children’s nutrition, how can the food industry stay ahead of evolving regulations, and what role does innovation play in driving progress?
• In this evolving landscape, how can science and technology support transformation, and how can brands rebuild trust and connection with consumers?

What does it take for a start-up to be successful in food? Hear it from the top!

Hand-chosen by CTOs of the largest businesses in food, meet the start-ups who are getting the numbers right and have proven success stories. Expect rapid-fire case studies from chosen start-ups and live CTO insights on what makes a start-up stand out in today’s market.

• What measurable efficiencies, cost reductions and operational benefits has AI delivered in real-world food sector applications?
• How can AI and ML be leveraged to create more nimble and adaptive supply chains, helping to future-proof the food sector?
• From siloed data pots to shared intelligence, what does effective data sharing look like, and how can the sector move toward more accessible, interoperable databases?

• From cell-ag to underutilized crops, which emerging technologies are reshaping commodity supply chains and where are the success stories of building resilience?
• With commodity markets experiencing sharp fluctuations, how are alternative ingredients and technologies positioned in terms of cost competitiveness and long-term viability?
• What infrastructure, policy support, and market mechanisms are needed to ensure alternative ingredients, underutilized crops, and novel solutions continue to thrive?
• How are major players responding to commodity alternatives and what are the barriers to adoption?
• How can innovation in commodities be inclusive and equitable? What models ensure that technological advancement doesn’t leave farmers behind, but strengthens their role in resilient, equitable supply chains?

Forget the usual pitch, this time we’re flipping the format as corporates take the stage to share the challenges they’re tackling and the tech they need to solve them. Whether you're a startup scouting for the right partner or a company seeking fresh innovation, this is your chance to connect where it counts.

• How are advances in strain design, bioprocessing, and AI-driven fermentation shaping the next generation of functional and high-potency ingredients?
• From infrastructure and feedstocks to unit economics, what are the biggest barriers to scale? How are companies overcoming these to unlock new opportunities across proteins, fats, and flavors?
• How can focusing on high-potency and high-value ingredients help address cost-efficiency and demand pressures, particularly in scaling functional foods and alternative proteins?
• Where are the untapped opportunities for fermentation in food innovation? Over the next 5–10 years, where should investment and collaboration be focused to accelerate scale, attract talent, and build resilient supply chains?

Delegates break into small groups to discuss the most critical issues facing the food-tech industry. Each table is hosted by an industry expert, and delegates can choose the topic most relevant to their business.

• How can regional partnerships and infrastructure be leveraged to accelerate scalable biomanufacturing? What are the learnings from some of these regional hubs? 
• Whether upstream or downstream, what enabling technologies are optimizing bioprocess by de-risking and bringing costs down?
• What success stories exist where enabling technologies and innovation have improved unit economics? 
• How are current policies, such as MABA and regulatory frameworks, supporting or hindering biomanufacturing growth?

• As GLP-1 pharmaceuticals become more mainstream, what do we now know about their side effects and how they’re reshaping consumer behavior, from appetite suppression to shifts in food preferences?
• In the food sector, where do knowledge gaps still exist regarding GLP-1s? What do recent studies implicate about health impacts, companion foods & ingredients and long-term effects of GLP-1 use?
• What opportunities should food brands and innovators be taking advantage of in the GLP-1 era, from emerging product categories, reformulation strategies, and new ways to connect with consumers?

• With the widespread uptake of GLP-1 solutions, how are food and ingredient leaders creating nutrient-dense solutions to support satiety and complete nutrition for consumers with reduced appetites?
• Can food replicate the effects of GLP-1s? What role do natural alternatives play in this space, and how realistic is it to expect food-based solutions to deliver similar outcomes?
• What developments have been made to create effective companion products that support the user journey, and where are the gaps in the market?
• As GLP-1 formats evolve, what impact could a widely available pill have on consumer behavior, and how should the food industry prepare for an even broader uptake?
• How is the GLP-1 trend reshaping consumer expectations around food functionality, convenience, personalization, and how are brands responding?

• In today’s investment climate, how have expectations shifted from vision-driven pitches to revenue, traction, and clear paths to profitability?
• From VC and beyond, how can startups position themselves to attract capital in a more selective funding climate?
• What finance models are emerging as effective for early-stage food-tech companies? Are we seeing a shift toward corporate venture arms, impact funds, or alternative financing?
• What does a successful exit look like in today’s market, and how are M&A trends shaping the landscape?
• What are common traits among startups that have weathered the downturn or secured major rounds?