MCCH Sustainable Food Challenge 2026

The challenge focuses on a comprehensive range of areas including side-streams valorization, side-streams upcycling, disruptive proteins/fats/ingredients, new materials and molecules, sustainable packaging and materials, bio-based chemicals, traceability, food safety and preservation technologies, sustainable food and feed solutions, human health and nutrition, animal health and nutrition, consumer packaged goods (CPG), regenerative agriculture, precision farming, circular economy, decarbonisation of manufacturing, sustainable supply chain and manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and ag-tech.

Feeding the planet’s population and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the food value chain is one of the greatest challenges of their time. The pressures from climate change, land use, and food production and distribution are increasing, and much of current food production operates on a linear model that promotes waste and inefficient resource use. To address this, solutions must become increasingly circular, reusing resources and combining supply-side efficiencies such as production, transport, and processing with demand-side changes including altered food choices and reduced food loss and waste.

MassChallenge believes that startups bring unique disruptive ideas while corporations play a pivotal role in scaling these innovations. Since 2020, the challenge, in partnership with leading global food manufacturers and producers, has connected over 500 startups to partners, facilitating detailed collaborations. This year, the challenge invites startups or scaleups with proven solutions in the targeted focus areas to participate, specifically seeking food and agriculture startups that can increase circularity by transforming sidestreams into valuable assets. This could involve turning agricultural waste into products that can be circulated within the partner ecosystem.

Selected startups benefit from a direct pathway to multinational corporations, gaining access to senior decision-makers for collaboration discussions. They also receive opportunities to scale their technologies through joint pilots and potential investment, with all engagements at the discretion of both startups and corporate partners. Additionally, startups get visibility through the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Challenge Day in June 2026, where they pitch their joint solutions alongside corporate partners, generating wider connections and publicity. Financial support is also provided to assist with travel expenses for this event. Selected startups will receive 1,000CHF to contribute towards travel to the event.

Eligibility requires startups to have a product or idea at least at the prototype stage with validated proof of concept, align strategically with partners, and demonstrate impactful, viable, and scalable ideas that can benefit society by reducing carbon footprints and emissions throughout the food value chain. Startups from any geography are welcome, though collaboration primarily takes place in Europe, necessitating travel capability.

This challenge provides a unique platform for startups and corporations to collaborate on creating scalable sustainable food solutions that address urgent environmental and societal needs while advancing innovation and commercial growth.

For more information, visit MassChallenge.