Americas heat 2026 winners
- WINNER
Michroma - A biotech start-up that uses precision fermentation and synthetic biology to turn filamentous fungi into scalable, stable, natural food colors (like their heat- and pH-resistant “Red+”) and flavors, aiming to replace petrochemical dyes with clean-label, sustainable ingredients.
- RUNNERS-UP
Fermeate Inc. - A San Francisco–based biotech start-up, Fermeate was spun out of Princeton University and uses optogenetics (photomolecular fermentation) to control microbes with light. This doubles yields and slashes GHG emissions and can be plugged into existing fermentation setups to produce everything from sweeteners to specialty chemicals more sustainably, according to the company.
BioBlends - Argentina-based start-up, BioBlends has developed gas-based bio-preservatives (using bacterial volatile organic compounds) that extend shelf life, especially in bakery, without altering taste or texture. This enables clean-label products and reducing food waste.
2026 other Americas shortlisted start-ups
2nd Nature Inc - A Cincinnati‑based food‑tech start-up that uses AI-power to power its AgWaste Portal to transform agricultural and food‑processing side streams into high‑value functional ingredients. This includes natural zero‑calorie sweeteners and umami enhancers, in turn unlocking hidden molecules in waste to create cleaner, more sustainable and cost‑efficient alternatives for food, beverage, and personal care brands.
Joyn Foods - New York–based Joyn Foods is a food-tech innovator that blends animal-based meat with premium mushrooms (via its 50CUT line) to boost umami, nutrition and yield, all while halving carbon footprint.
Kresko RNAtech - Argentina-based biotech innovator Kresko RNAtech isolates and stabilizes dietary ribonucleic acids (supernutrients lost after harvest) to create functional ingredients that support gut, metabolic, skin and mental health, which is all powered by AI-driven discovery and bioinformatics.
Maia Farms - Vancouver-based food-tech start-up Maia Farms won NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge and uses mushroom mycelium fermentation to create high-protein, clean-label ingredients (textures, powders, fresh formats) for bakery, snacks, hybrid meats and more. Its product offers 66g protein per 100g, is organic/vegan and scalable production to around 200t a year.
SCO2 - Minnesota-based cleantech start-up SCO2 uses patented supercritical CO₂ extraction to upcycle food and agri-waste and processes five to 50 tons an hour without pre-grinding to recover oils, flavors, and bioactives, turning waste into revenue while cutting costs and emissions.
Spacemilk - A nutrition start-up creating a next‑generation, non‑GMO yeast‑derived protein with a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score of 1.0 (the highest possible score) and clinically validated performance –matching whey in muscle, strength and endurance gains – while offering superior digestibility, gut-health benefits and clean, solvent‑free sustainability.
Strive Nutrition - Family-founded, Kansas-based sustainable beverage company Strive pioneered aseptic processing and now offers “dairy without the cow.” Shelf-stable, animal-free whey protein milks (like Strive FreeMilk) are made via precision fermentation with Perfect Day, delivering real taste, 10g protein, 75% less sugar and around 97% lower GHG emissions than traditional milk.
EMEA heat 2026 winners
- WINNER
Hemisphere - This year’s EMEA Global Food Tech Awards winner is Hemisphere Technologies, a Swedish start-up that’s making waves in the hemp space. Creating viable, industry-changing ingredients from sustainable crops, Hemisphere stood out to judges for its innovative hemp processing methods and the versatility of its functional ingredients across a wide range of applications.
- RUNNERS-UP
BettaChoc. - The UK-based start-up upcycles discarded date seeds into a cocoa alternative via proprietary fermentation technology. The start-up offers manufacturers a sustainable ingredient that mimics cocoa’s taste and functionality while minimizing reliance on a volatile supply chain.
UPP - Upcycling broccoli stalks and stems into protein, fibre and functional ingredients. The start-up says its ingredients create new revenue streams for broccoli grows while helping manufacturers improve the nutritional profile and sustainability of their products.
2026 other EMEA shortlisted start-ups
AuditQ - A Belgian start-up that leverages AI and real-world industry expertise for a food-safety compliance platform that streamlines audits, monitors regulatory changes and identifies compliance gaps. The start-up says its platform cuts audit preparation time from weeks to days.
Eatpol BV - The start-up leverages proprietary behavioural science developed from Wageningen University and real-world consumer testing across 40 countries. EatPol aims to bridge the gap between traditional sensory evaluation and actual purchase behaviour while reducing the cost and complexity of conventional consumer research by combining AI-powered consumer insights with at-home product testing to help food and beverage brands predict market success before launch.
Enbiosis Biotechnology – The London based innovator uses digital twin and AI technology to develop targeted functional food formulations. Its first product, en-TEAR, is a microbiome-based nutraceutical supplement that it says supports dry eye health by addressing pathways along the gut-eye axis.
Friday 4:30 Ltd - provides a real-time incident management platform that helps food and beverage companies respond to recalls, supply chain disruptions and regulatory issues through automated workflows and compliance documentation.
Hüüp Coffee - This Turkish start-up converts lower-grade and surplus coffee beans that would otherwise be tossed out into specialty-grade coffee via fermentation and sustainable processing methods. The startup’s innovation relies on technology instead of farmland to convert an existing global abundance of low-grade coffee beans.
iCook - A personalised nutrition start-up leveraging AI to create customised meal plans, recipes and grocery lists based on users’ health goals, dietary needs and budgets. The platform aims to make healthier eating more accessible and practical for consumers and organizations.
Proton Europe – advanced freezing technology combines ultra-low temperatures and electromagnetic fields to preserve food quality, helping manufacturers reduce food waste while delivering fresh foods for consumers.
APAC heat 2026 winners
To be announced at Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit Singapore November 11-13, 2026.
Take a look at the 2025 winners here .