What happens after winning Foodtech Company of the Year? 

As Foodtech Company of the Year returns for 2026, the award is entering a new phase. With stronger partner engagement than ever before, this year’s winner will receive the most extensive award package in the programme’s history. 

Presented annually at Foodtech Forum, the award highlights companies helping shape the future food system through innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable solutions. 

But what happens after the spotlight? We spoke with previous winners and partners to understand the impact the award can have beyond the stage. 

Validation when it matters most 

For Dapibuset, winner of Foodtech Company of the Year 2025, the award came at a pivotal stage of the company’s journey. 

– Winning Foodtech Company of the Year came at a very meaningful time for us. As a startup, you spend a lot of time trying to convince people that what you are building truly has value and a place in the future. Receiving the award felt like a confirmation that our vision resonated beyond our own team, says Lidia Garcia, Co-founder of Dapibuset. 

Since receiving the award, Dapibuset has continued developing its platform for turning underutilised side streams into high-value ingredients while expanding its network of partners and collaborators. 

– The award gave us visibility at a time when it really mattered. It opened doors to conversations and opportunities that probably would have taken much longer to reach otherwise, say Lidia Garcia and Micael Simonsson, Co-founders of Dapibuset. 

Looking back, the company describes the award as an important milestone that provided both momentum and confidence. 

Building trust and opening new markets 

For Diapure, winner of Foodtech Company of the Year 2024, the value of the award was closely linked to credibility and access to new perspectives. 

– It is always important that important actors on the market believe in us, says Lisa Heiberg, CEO of Diapure. 

As part of the award, Diapure received consultancy support from AFRY, helping the company explore opportunities within land-based aquaculture and strengthen its value proposition towards a new market segment. 

– The exposure and the consultancy support helped us articulate our value in a completely new market. It strengthened our case beyond wastewater, says Lisa Heiberg. 

The collaboration also gave the company access to new contacts and perspectives while reinforcing its role within the future food system. 

Bigger support than ever before 

One of the distinguishing features of Foodtech Company of the Year is that the award combines recognition with practical support from industry partners. 

Previous winners have received support from organisations such as AFRY and Kolossal. For Dapibuset, AFRY contributed expertise around scaling and industrial development, while Kolossal supported the company through a brand discovery process focused on positioning and communication. For Diapure, AFRY helped explore new market opportunities and strengthen the company’s business case towards land-based aquaculture. 

For 2026, the award takes another step forward. 

AFRY is expanding its engagement as a returning partner, while KIND joins the initiative as a new award partner and chair of the jury. Together, they contribute to the most extensive award package in the history of Foodtech Company of the Year. 

– We are proud to continue supporting the Foodtech Company of the Year Award and to contribute to highlighting companies driving innovation and sustainable transformation within the food system. Foodtech Forum brings together many of the ideas and entrepreneurs shaping the future of food, and we look forward to continuing to support that development, says Katrin Hedvall, Vice President and Head of Food Sweden at AFRY. 

KIND joins the initiative with a similar ambition: to help promising companies strengthen their positioning, communication and market presence. 

– We’re excited to support companies shaping the future of food. Many foodtech startups are built on strong innovation, but often need help making their offer clear and relevant to the outside world. Through this partnership, we want to help ambitious companies turn strong ideas into brands with real impact, says Sanna von Gertten, Agency Director at KIND and Chair of the Foodtech Company of the Year jury. 

Who will be next? 

With the most extensive award package in its history, Foodtech Company of the Year 2026 aims to provide even greater support to the next generation of foodtech innovators. 

The winner will be announced at Foodtech Forum on 15 September in Malmö, where innovators, investors, industry and public actors gather to explore the future food system. 

The award is open exclusively to exhibiting member companies within Foodtech Innovation Network participating in Foodtech Forum 2026. Companies interested in exhibiting can become members of the network, with 5 August marking the final opportunity to join before this year’s selection closes. Exhibitor places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

For previous winners, the message is clear. Recognition matters, but the opportunities, networks and support that follow can be just as valuable. 

– Looking back today, the award feels like one of those moments that gave us both momentum and belief at exactly the right time, says Lidia Garcia and Micael Simonsson, Co-founders of Dapibuset.