Alimentaria Open Innovation Challenge 2026

23–26 Mar 2026 | Barcelona, Spain

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ChallengeUpdated on 6 February 2026

New functional ingredients

Chief Marketing and Innovation Director at Grup Cacaolat

Barcelona, Spain

About

Functional ingredients are entering a new era.
Scientific advances, new sources, emerging needs and evolving consumer expectations are transforming the role ingredients play in products and experiences.

The New Functional Ingredients Challenge invitesto explore novel functional ingredients and ingredient systems that could define the future. The scope is intentionally broad to encourage breakthrough thinking beyond today’s categories, claims and applications.

This challenge is not limited to specific benefits, formats or industries. Solutions may involve new bioactive compounds, novel sources, fermentation, biotech, upcycling, processing technologies, delivery systems, or entirely new ways to create and use functional ingredients.

What new functionalities could ingredients unlock?
How might they be produced, combined, delivered or experienced?
What role could they play in shaping future products, services or ecosystems?

We are looking for forward-looking, differentiated solutions with the potential to open new value spaces and challenge current paradigms.

Topic

  • Foodtech
  • Healthy foods
  • Natural Food Ingredients
  • Food manufacturing

Organisation

Grup Cacaolat

Corporation

Barcelona, Spain

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