Black Tech Entrepreneurship in America | Selected

If “composites” sounds foreign to you, think again: From carbon fiber for space missions, to metal foam for data centers, new materials can build the future, and make it more sustainable. If you wonder which startups can make this happen, JEC Composites Startup Booster is your go-to. Now in its eighth edition, it will designate three winners next March, along with one winner for the sustainable dimension of its project. However, as with many competitions of this caliber, where only a handful of companies were selected among a hundred entrepreneurs, startups, and university spin-offs, each finalist is also worth knowing. This is especially true as over the years, the competition has become a true springboard for participants, thanks in big part to the support of industrial sponsors; the 2025 edition is supported by Airbus, ProxximaTM (An ExxonMobil Product) and Owens Corning as its main innovation partners, and Mercedes-Benz and Swancor as innovation partners. Meet the 20 finalists Without further ado, here’s the full list of finalists: 🇺🇸 Applied BioplasticsMaking Sustainable Commodity Plastic Affordable at Scale 🇫🇷 CAEROSTRISInnovative Composite Building System 🇨🇦 CarboMat Inc.Low-Cost Sustainable Carbon Fibers for Advanced Lightweight Composite Applications 🇬🇪 Elven TechnologiesFireproofed Lithium Batteries for EVs, Transport and Storage 🇩🇰 FiberJointsRethinking Bolted Joints for Unmatched Strength, Efficiency, and Durability 🇩🇪 Flux PolymersThe Effortless Art of Surface Functionalization 🇨🇭INCAPTEKNovel and Efficient Fire Protection Solutions for Li-Ion Batteries 🇫🇷 MCVE TechnologieSmart Reinforcing Fabrics Embedded into Composite Materials 🇪🇸 Strong by FormHigh-Performance Timber-Based Structural Composites for a Sustainable Future 🇳🇱 Tree CompositesComposite Joints for Offshore Structures 🇫🇷 ADN GroupTechnology Combining Eco-Design and the Dismantling Process of Composite Materials 🇩🇪 fibclickAutomating Tool Design: A Game-Changer for Engineering 🇫🇷 FOX CompositesEvolving Ceramic Composite Production 🇸🇬 Nandina REMThe World’s First Aviation-Grade Circular Carbon Fibre 🇨🇭NGNTSpecialized in the Development of Surface Protective Coatings 🇺🇸 Perseus Materials3D Printing Meets Pultrusion: Freeform Continuous Molding 🇬🇧 Phoenix CarbonSustainable Woven Carbon Fibre, at Half the Price of Virgin, with Identical Material Properties 🇮🇱 TemperChipTemperature Sensing at The Machined Area Prevents Overheating Damages 🇩🇰 ThiaXNon-Destructive 3D Mapping of Strain and Crystallinity in Parts 🇱🇺 Uplift360Chemical Recycling Technology for Advanced Materials If you want to hear them live, make sure to attend JEC World 2025 from March 4 to 6 and not to miss the following sessions on the Agora stage: Of course, we will also report back on the winners, so stay tuned for more updates.

Richie Gray, Vice President and Global Head of SnackFutures Ventures at Mondelēz International, shared insights on driving innovation in snacking.

The idea that our diet affects our appearance is nothing new. For years, foods like carrots have been praised for improving skin tone, while chocolate has been blamed for breakouts. What’s new is the rise of beauty-focused food products. Gone are the days of relying only on natural remedies or consuming large quantities of specific foods. Now, processed, beauty-enhancing snacks are emerging, offering convenience, indulgence, and targeted benefits for skin, hair, and nails. Beauty food: tasting the glow Innova Market Insights has identified “Beauty Food” as a key trend for 2025. They predict that consumers will increasingly seek beauty claims in functional nutrition. From October 2019 to September 2024, product launches with skin-health claims grew by 15%, with Europe accounting for 39% of these launches. This surge in beauty food reflects a cultural shift: younger generations are more aware of how diet impacts their appearance. In response, brands are launching innovative processed foods and snacks that combine beauty benefits with indulgent experiences. Key nutrients powering the beauty food trend Key ingredients in this trend include: Proteins, magnesium, and fibers are often included in these products to deliver well-rounded health benefits. From supplements to snacks The beauty food category has evolved beyond traditional supplements, entering the world of snacks and indulgent treats. Some notable examples include: What’s next for beauty food? As food personalization gains momentum, the beauty food market is set to grow even further. Products could increasingly target specific concerns, such as anti-aging, skin hydration, or acne prevention. Beauty-enhancing claims could potentially expand into new food categories, such as pasta, granola, or even ready-to-eat meals, making beauty-focused nutrition more accessible and seamlessly integrated into daily life. While collagen is likely to remain a key ingredient in this space, we may see other innovative components emerge as this category continues to evolve. What was once a niche concept could now be reshaping both the food and beauty industries, paving the way for a future where beauty and nutrition are more closely linked. Make sure to subscribe to our weekly FoodTech newsletter and get the latest FoodTech insights delivered straight to your inbox!