Future Food needs your Vision – Work on real challenges from the Swiss food system
The Swiss Food Innovation Challenge gives students, early-stage startups and research groups the opportunity to develop innovative solutions for real challenges from the Swiss food system.
Participants work in their own teams and develop ideas that can contribute to a more sustainable, efficient and future-ready food system. Throughout the Challenge, they receive support, feedback and input from industry partners, coaches and experts.
The Challenge creates space for exchange, direct feedback and possible follow-up projects with industry partners. At the final Pitch Night, teams present their concepts and show how their ideas could be developed further.
Fields of Innovation 2026
In 2026, the Innovation Challenge is built around four Fields of Innovation. These fields provide the thematic frame for the Challenge and help participants identify where they would like to contribute.
Smart Food Operations: AI, data and digital tools for a more efficient food system.
Waste to Value: Turning side streams and unused resources into new value.
Food for Life: Products and experiences that fit modern consumer needs.
Next-Gen Ingredients: Better ingredients for the food products of tomorrow.
More detailed information about the Fields of Innovation can be found in the detailed presentation.
Partner briefings coming soon
The specific partner briefings and challenge opportunities are currently being developed together with our industry partners.
These briefings will include partner interests, problem areas and possible challenge opportunities within the four Fields of Innovation. They will help participants understand which topics are especially relevant for the partner companies and where collaboration could be most promising.
The partner briefings will be shared before the Pre-Challenge Phase starts.
Timeline 2026
The Challenge starts with a Pre-Challenge Phase. During this phase, participants receive the partner briefings and submit a short Idea Snapshot linked to one of the Fields of Innovation and, where possible, to specific partner interests.
This helps the industry partners identify promising teams and ideas before the online Partner Matching & Team Building event.
More details about the process, the Pre-Challenge Phase and the next steps for participants can be found in the detailed presentation.
Who can participate?
The Swiss Food Innovation Challenge is open to different types of participants who want to work on the future of our food system.
Individual Students can join the Challenge individually (or as a team) and may be supported in finding or joining a suitable team.
Module-Based Student Teams from university modules can take part as part of their study program, depending on the setup of the module.
Early-Stage Startups with an early solution, idea or technology can use the Challenge to connect with industry partners and develop their approach further towards market readiness.
Research Groups can present their expertise or research-based solutions to industry partners and explore opportunities for applied research projects, collaboration or further development of existing IP.
Different participant types may follow slightly different paths, but all are connected through the Fields of Innovation, the Partner Matching process and the final Pitch Night.
Framework and conditions
The Challenges are usually developed in teams of at least three people. Registration is possible as an individual participant or as an existing team.
Individual participants may be supported in finding or joining a suitable team. Interdisciplinary teams are welcome.
Participation is free of charge and includes access to workshops, coaching, expert feedback and the final Pitch Night.
Participation is possible in English or German.
The Challenge follows an Open Innovation approach. Possible follow-up projects or collaborations with industry partners may be developed individually after the Challenge.
