Consumer

Walking through the sprawling halls of IFA Berlin 2025, it’s immediately clear that this isn’t just another trade show. This year’s edition solidified IFA Next as Europe’s premier showcase of consumer technology startups, an event where innovation meets practical applications in a comprehensive hardware-focused startup environment. The heart of European consumer tech innovation IFA Next has evolved into Europe’s hub for the latest on consumer tech. It’s where the continent’s most promising hardware startups converge with global visionaries and industry pioneers. This isn’t just marketing speak — Hall H25, dedicated entirely to consumer-focused hardware, was in many ways the largest and most influential gathering of consumer technology startups in Europe. The centerpiece was the Dream Stage, where bold ideas are shared through keynotes, panels, and highly anticipated pitch battles. Unlike other tech conferences, IFA Next maintains laser focus on technologies that will directly impact how people live, work, and interact with their environments. The Dream Stage is also where Europe’s next consumer tech unicorns are spotted far before they take flight. The finale of this year’s IFA Next Pitch Battle 2025: Breakthrough Battle saw founders presenting concepts to investors, media, and industry experts, competing for visibility, investment, and growth opportunities. Complementing the Dream Stage was the IFA Lab, an interactive testing ground where exhibitors, investors and industry  professionals collaborate to bring innovations from prototype to store shelves. The Lab is where Europe’s startups refined their ideas, engaged with industry experts, and pushed new technologies from concept to market reality. Hall H25: Europe’s consumer tech capital Hall H25 was home to what has become Europe’s largest dedicated consumer technology startup space. Beyond the sheer numbers, the hall is an indicator of how mature Europe’s hardware ecosystem has become. IFA Next specifically champions hardware solutions that people can touch, use and integrate into their daily lives. The diversity and ambition on display were remarkable. Both European and international startups presented solutions spanning healthcare, sustainable products, and cutting-edge tech for everyday use.  What stood out Addressing a critical gap in healthcare technology that affects families across the world, Coro, which won an IFA Innovation Award, accurately measures milk supply in real-time during breastfeeding. This is exactly the kind of practical, user-oriented innovation that defines IFA Next’s positioning. LeydenJar Technologies‘ groundbreaking battery technology deserves special mention for fundamentally rethinking energy storage for everyday devices. This startup is tackling what will arguably be one of the biggest challenges for consumer electronics as AI-powered devices become ubiquitous in European homes: more energy storage while keeping the dimensions small. Dtablet’s medication management solutions address  healthcare challenges that affect millions of European families. Their focus on reducing dosing uncertainty represents the practical, user-centered approach that characterizes Europe’s tech startups. Paptic’s bio-based, recyclable packaging materials are made from renewable wood fibers, a distinctly European approach to sustainable products. The startup won multiple awards, demonstrating how European startups are leading global sustainability trends. Unframe showcased immersive applications combining virtual reality and artificial intelligence, a bellwether of  next-generation digital experiences. The startup’s user-centric approach to VR and AI reflects its emphasis on practical applications over pure technological spectacle. Broadcasting innovation: IFA’s Twitch strategy One of the most forward-thinking aspects of IFA 2025 was the creation of dedicated Twitch live rooms for presenting products and news in real-time. Modern users expect interactive, accessible content about the products that will impact their lives, so this integration of live streaming represents a crucial evolution in how innovations reach their intended audiences. Sessions like “Retro Tech Rewind” with IFA CEO Leif Lindner were specifically designed for Twitch, demonstrating IFA Next’s commitment to making innovation accessible beyond the convention floor. This approach to content delivery could set new standards for how European startups engage with their markets. Europe’s consumer tech ecosystem at scale What makes IFA Next compelling is its comprehensive approach to nurturing consumer-focused innovation. It’s not just about displaying finished products; the focus here is on creating an environment where startups can connect with VCs, retail partners, buyers, and over 4,500 journalists. This ecosystem brings together everything from AI-powered home devices, smartphones, laptops and sustainable products to smart health solutions and wearable technology. With dedicated spaces for both demonstrations and retail networking, IFA Next bridged the gap between cutting-edge research and retail opportunities, a critical pathway for European hardware startups. While cities like London, Berlin, and Amsterdam host numerous tech conferences, none of those events match IFA Next’s specific focus on hardware innovation or its ability to connect startups directly with the global consumer electronics retail ecosystem. Samsung’s strong AI focus Samsung has put in a lot of time and effort into comprehensively integrating AI across its consumer product ecosystem. Take for example Its AI-enabled refrigerator: besides keeping your groceries fresh, it can propose recipes, and even identify missing ingredients — it’s a masterclass in how established brands are setting the bar for startups to reach and surpass. Samsung also showcased its expansion beyond traditional consumer electronics into B2B applications. Its IoT systems and 3D building visualization software demonstrated how consumer tech innovations can scale into commercial applications — a pathway many European startups at IFA Next are actively pursuing. The future of European consumer tech IFA 2025 has demonstrated that Europe’s technology startup ecosystem isn’t just thriving — it’s defining global trends. From sustainable packaging solutions to revolutionary healthcare devices, European startups at IFA Next are solving real problems with practical, scalable solutions. The combination of established electronics giants setting innovation benchmarks, ambitious startups developing market-ready solutions, and innovative presentation formats showed that IFA Next has become more than Europe’s largest consumer tech startup showcase: It’s evolved into an essential preview of European technology leadership. For anyone interested in understanding where European consumer technology innovation is heading, IFA Next represents the definitive annual checkpoint. The innovations showcased here by European and international startups will likely be the everyday products of tomorrow, and Europe’s leadership in making that transformation happen is becoming undeniably clear. As Europe’s premier consumer tech startup showcase, IFA Next […]

Italy’s plant-based market is booming, with consumer demand for sustainable, plant-based foods driving record growth. In 2023, retail sales reached €641 million, reflecting a significant 16.1% increase since 2021. Felippe Fontanelli has been aggregating these observations into a report that showcases the trends highlighting Italy’s growth potential. This insightful report is available for free download here. Meet the Author Felippe Fontanelli is the founder of the Virtuous Food Revolution Alliance and has worked with innovative startups like Wicked Foods and Future Farm. With nearly two decades in the FMCG industry, he has established a strong network across Italy, Spain, and Portugal, positioning him to provide valuable insights into the evolving plant-based market.  Key Insights from the Report Market Growth Italy’s plant-based market is thriving, with sales reaching €641 million in 2023. Plant-based meat and milk dominate, accounting for 49% and 31% of total sales, respectively. The cheese segment has also seen substantial growth, with a 77% increase in sales volume from 2021 to 2023. Demographic Shifts Young Italians are leading the plant-based movement, with 82% adopting more sustainable diets for health and environmental reasons. This generational shift, coupled with a strong preference for sustainability—66% of Italians prioritize it when purchasing food—positions Italy to compete with established markets like Germany and the UK. Out-of-Home Expansion The out-of-home food sector in Italy, valued at €80.8 billion in 2023, is gradually embracing plant-based options. Major players like Autogrill and Eataly are expanding their plant-based offerings, driven by a growing consumer demand for healthier dining choices. Companies such as Compass Group are focusing on sustainable sourcing, particularly in university dining, which opens up further opportunities for plant-based brands. Regulatory Challenges Despite its growth potential, the Italian plant-based market faces challenges, including regulatory hurdles influenced by meat lobbies. Recent regulations restrict cultivated meat production and limit plant-based products from using meat-related terms. However, public sentiment shows strong support for reducing meat consumption as a means to combat climate change. Partnerships and Collaboration Collaborations between traditional food producers and plant-based brands are vital for expanding options in Italy. By integrating plant-based alternatives into classic dishes, companies can build consumer trust while promoting sustainability. Successful partnerships, such as Planted with Artico for ready meals and Stupiscimi for snacks, demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. Retail Opportunities While large chains like Aldi and Carrefour are expanding their plant-based offerings, smaller retailers lag behind. There’s a significant opportunity for Italian retailers to collaborate with startups, dedicate special sections for plant-based products, and focus on sustainability to capture this growing market. Local Innovation Italy’s culinary heritage provides a strong foundation for innovation. Local giants like Nestlé and Granarolo are adapting to meet rising consumer demand, while startups like Heaven and DreamFarm are creating products that honor Italy’s food culture while embracing sustainability. This report paints a compelling picture of Italy’s potential as a leader in the plant-based sector. For those looking to explore the findings in greater detail, the full report is accessible for free and can be downloaded here.

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