Seeding The Future Foundation to Sponsor Popular Pitch Competition at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo

CHICAGO – February 24, 2026 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific association committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is proud to announce that Seeding The Future Foundation will once again be sponsoring the Startup Pavilion pitch competition at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, the largest global food science and innovation expo that is being held July 12-15, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The rapid-pitch competition showcases product innovations in the early stages—from pre-seed to growth stage—and is open only to Startup Pavilion exhibitors. Each year, up to 100 startups showcase their innovations in the Startup Pavilion to investors, buyers, ingredient providers, business professionals, product developers, and food scientists.

The winner of the pitch competition receives a $10,000 cash prize and the two runners-up each receive $2,500 in cash prizes courtesy of the Seeding The Future Foundation, which accelerates high-impact innovations to improve food systems globally through various programs and partnerships, including the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge.

“Sponsoring the IFT FIRST startup pitch competition is just one way Seeding The Future Foundation is helping empower visionary entrepreneurs whose ideas have the potential to deliver meaningful and lasting impact. Bold, science-driven innovation is essential to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system for everyone, and we are honored to support this great IFT initiative,” said Bernhard van Lengerich, PhD, founder of Seeding The Future Foundation.

Last year’s winner was Plantible for Rubi Protein™, its functional and nutritional plant-based protein ingredient that food manufacturers to replace eggs, dairy ingredients, and synthetic emulsifiers with a single clean ingredient. Other previous winners include Scentian Bio (2024) for its synthesized insect olfactory receptor biosensor that can measure smell and taste, and Helaina (2023) for its work around using precision fermentation to manufacture proteins at scale, starting with Lactoferrin, a protein that supports cognitive health and antimicrobial defense while enhancing nutrient absorption.

“The challenges facing our food system require new and creative ideas,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “The Startup Pavilion at IFT FIRST highlights entrepreneurs who are creating solutions to those challenges. We’re proud to work with Seeding The Future Foundation to help accelerate that journey and drive meaningful progress for people and the planet.”

Startups that are interested in participating in this year’s pitch competition can reserve their Startup Pavilion booth now, alongside other startups, including Onego Bio, NuCicer Inc., Plantible, GrowinCo, and more. Startup Pavilion spots are limited to 100 on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration for IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo opens in March 2026. Leading up to IFT FIRST 2026, the global food community can join IFT’s ‘First-to-Know’ group and get exclusive early access to everything about IFT FIRST before anyone else, including keynote speaker announcements, session topic reveals, registration information, and housing updates. Subscribe to IFT FIRST-To-Know Updates.

To learn more about IFT, go to ift.org.

About IFT FIRST

IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo is one of the most influential food technology events in the world as it unites instrumental leaders across the global food system to help shape the future of food. Each year, IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) convenes prominent food, health, and nutrition professionals across industry, academia, and government to collaborate, innovate, and educate. IFT FIRST features a dynamic expo hall that connects many of the top global food and wellness companies, including Jungbunzlauer, Ingredion, Tate & Lyle, Kraft Heinz Ingredients, DSM-Firmenich, and more with buyers and those with purchasing influence, while also offering cutting-edge scientific programming that explores the hottest topics across the science of food. IFT FIRST also offers valuable networking opportunities, unique food competitions, and engaging interactive experiences to connect, enrich, and empower attendees in their missions to transform the global food system. For more information, go to iftevent.org.

About Institute of Food Technologists

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Media Contact

Dennis Van Milligen
Director, External Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
dvanmilligen@ift.org