Top Food & Beverages events for startups in 2025
Here’s the ultimate curated list of 44 must-attend events for Food & Beverages startups in 2025. Compiled by our FoodTech experts, this comprehensive guide covers Food & Beverages events happening across Europe, Asia and the U.S in 2025. Designed for founders, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, it’s your go-to resource for exploring the latest FoodTech innovations! Horecava January 13-16, Amsterdam – Netherlands Expected participants : 60000 Horecava brings together a diverse audience from hospitality, catering, and food service sectors to explore innovations in food tech, sustainability, and culinary trends, making it a vital networking and idea-sharing hub for industry professionals. Winter Fancy Food Show January 19-21, Las Vegas – United States Expected participants : 13000 The Winter Fancy Food Show highlights premium and artisanal foods from around the world, showcasing everything from small-batch creations to organic and sustainably-sourced products, connecting specialty food brands with retailers and distributors. Grüne Woche January 17-26, Berlin – Germany Expected participants : 275000 Grüne Woche is one of the leading exhibitions for the agriculture and food industry, offering an ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase innovative products and solutions. This event not only highlights cutting-edge developments but also addresses critical societal issues such as climate protection, the circular economy, resource conservation, and sustainable land use. Sirha January 23-27, Lyon – France Expected participants : 200000 Sirha Lyon gathers the entire food service and hospitality ecosystem, offering a global stage for innovation, competitions, and knowledge-sharing. It’s where professionals come to discover the latest trends, exchange ideas, and shape the future of the industry. ISM Cologne February 2-5, Cologne – Germany Expected participants : 30000 ISM Cologne brings together industry leaders and emerging brands in the sweets and snacks sector, offering insights into the latest products, trends, and technologies shaping the global confectionery and snack markets. Pro Sweets February 2-5, Cologne – Germany Expected participants : 13000 Leading global event for suppliers and decision-makers in the snacks and sweets industry. This event covers the entire industrial value chain of the confectionery and snack industry, including finished products, raw materials, technology, and packaging. Fruit Logistica February 5-7, Berlin – Germany Expected participants : 66000 Fruit Logistica is the world’s leading international trade fair for fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and tree nuts. Manifest February 10-12, Las-Vegas – United States Expected participants : 6000 The premiere gathering that unites the entire eco-system of Fortune 500 global supply chain executives, logistics service providers, innovators and investors at the forefront of logistics tech and end-to-end supply chain. Biofach February 11-14, Nuremberg – Germany Expected participants : 35000 Biofach provides a comprehensive showcase of organic products, from raw ingredients to packaged goods. It draws a global audience of professionals dedicated to sustainability, offering insights into organic food trends and opportunities for partnerships in the green sector. Gulfood February 17-21, Dubai – UAE Expected participants : 100000 Gulfood attracts an international audience of food professionals, highlighting a wide range of products from emerging markets and offering insights into regional consumer trends, trade opportunities, and innovations in food and beverage. AFCI Con February 22-25, Dallas – United States Expected participants : 1500 AFCI Con is where frozen food industry leaders connect, showcasing new products, technologies, and strategies for sustainability and efficiency. It provides a platform for collaboration, industry insights, and exploring trends in frozen foods. Natural Products Expo West March 4-7, Anaheim – United States Expected participants : 65000 Natural Products Expo West brings together the CPG and retail ecosystem, featuring the latest in organic, natural, and sustainable products. It’s a key event for discovering emerging brands and trends focused on health, wellness, and eco-consciousness. Food Expo March 8-10, Athens – Greece Expected participants : 35000 Food Expo showcases a vast array of food products, from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat offerings. It’s an essential hub for professionals seeking to explore trends, develop partnerships, and discover business opportunities across the industry. World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit March 11-12, San Francisco – United States Expected participants : 2500 The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit gathers leaders from agri-food businesses, tech providers, and investors for networking, market intelligence, and discovering startups. Attendees engage in high-level discussions on innovation and investment in agriculture. Foodex March 11-15, Chiba – Japan Expected participants : 80000 Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, emphasizing innovation and market expansion. It showcases a diverse range of Asian and international food products, focusing on food tech, sustainability, and regional specialties. It serves as a major platform for business networking, culinary trends, and market insights. Future FoodTech March 13-14, San Francisco – United States Expected participants : 1450 Future Food-Tech brings together global food corporates, investors and technology start-ups from around the world to uncover the most exciting innovations in the agri-food sector, forging the right partnerships to take those solutions to market. IFE March 17-19, London – United Kingdom Expected participants : 30000 IFE (International Food & Drink Event) is where food professionals come to explore thousands of products from around the world, connect with new suppliers, and discover innovative trends and solutions shaping the food and drink industry. HRC March 17-19, London – United Kingdom Expected participants : 30000 Connects the industry’s most influential hospitality experts, chefs, and operators with the finest suppliers in the market, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in equipment, services, technology and more. Food Hotel Tech March 19-20, Paris – France Expected participants : 8000 Food Hotel Tech brings together digital tools, eco-friendly products, and tech innovations aimed at transforming the hospitality industry. It’s a hub for hotel and restaurant professionals to discover sustainable and tech-driven solutions. World Food Poland April 8-10, Warsaw – Poland Expected participants : 5000 World Food offers a comprehensive showcase of food products from around the world, connecting suppliers and buyers to explore emerging trends, expand into new markets, and discover innovative solutions in the food and beverage industry. FHA Asia April 8-11, Singapore Expected participants : 72000 Food & Hotel Asia brings together an international audience, featuring a wide array of F&B products, hospitality solutions, and […]
Building a sustainable future of food with Beatriz Jacoste from KM ZERO
Beatriz Jacoste, director of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub, a Valencia-based organization, is on a mission to transform the way we think about food. In this episode, we explored her journey, her vision for a sustainable future of food, and the steps we can take to get there. The full episode is available on YouTube: Driven by Impact Having originally studied diplomacy, Beatriz discovered her interest in the food sector while volunteering at a food bank. As she put it, “Food is the most important and impactful sector in the world.” Building a Community of Food Heroes KM ZERO is more than a think tank; it’s a global hub for food change-makers. The community includes scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors, all united to create systems that deliver tasty and sustainable food without depleting our planet’s resources. “We believe they are saving the world through food,” Beatriz said. Innovative Trends Shaping the Future Beatriz highlighted cutting-edge trends including molecular farming, which could allow proteins to be grown directly in bananas. She also emphasized the importance of “less sexy” innovations like soil regeneration. “We’ve lost 40% of nutrients in the last 30 years. Technologies that help recover soil health excite me the most,” she noted. Educating the Next Generation KM ZERO’s Gastro Genius program engages children with food-related challenges to educate them on sustainable nutrition and inspire them to become change-makers. According to Beatriz, this is essential for driving long-term change: “If we don’t work with civil society, innovations won’t stick.” Events as Catalysts for Collaboration From summits like f_talks to initiatives in Latin America, KM ZERO leverages events to bring stakeholders together, bridging gaps between startups, corporates, and policymakers. Beatriz believes these gatherings are essential: “We don’t just want to inspire; we want to influence.” Find Beatriz on: LinkedIn: Beatriz Jacoste Lozano Twitter/X: @BeatrizJacoste Find Ben on: LinkedIn: Ben Costantini Twitter/X: @bencostantini — Be sure to follow Sesamers onInstagram, LinkedIn, and X for more cool stories from the people we catch during the best Tech events!
Food Ingredients Europe 2024 : What to expect for this edition ?
Food Ingredients Europe is just one week away in Frankfurt, and it promises to be a significant event for both F&B professionals and innovative startups in the food ingredients sector. We spoke with Yannick Verry, Brand Director of Food Ingredients, to preview what makes this event unique and what attendees can expect. What sets Food Ingredients Europe apart from other global food and nutrition innovation events? Fi Europe is unique as Europe’s premier event dedicated exclusively to food ingredients. It is part of a global series with ten Fi events across the world. As the flagship event in Europe, it draws leading industry players and top experts. The event highlights the critical role of the ingredient supply chain—a pivotal stage between raw production and manufacturing—where much of a product’s nutritional value is developed. What emerging trends in food ingredients can attendees look forward to exploring? While many trends reveal themselves on-site, several key themes are expected to shape this year’s event: How do new spaces like the expanded Food Technology area and the Petfood Suppliers Hub address industry demands? How will the new Tasting Bar enhance engagement between exhibitors and attendees? The Tasting Bar brings an interactive experience to Fi Europe. As an ingredient show, it can be hard for attendees to imagine the taste an ingredient can deliver. By sampling finished products that feature these ingredients, buyers get a clearer sense of their flavour and potential applications. Are there any standout projects or breakthrough innovations to watch for? Fi Europe brings innovation from all sides, with both big corporations and smaller companies unveiling groundbreaking concepts. Products launched at the event often reach shelves within 3 to 4 years, positioning Fi Europe as essential for exploring food’s future. What role does Fi Europe play in fostering industry partnerships and opportunities? Fi Europe is a key meeting point for the industry, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, startups, and organisations to foster collaborations. Key areas like country pavilions and specialised commodity sectors offer targeted networking opportunities. In addition, platforms such as EIT Food Accelerator give startups valuable exposure, helping to strengthen the overall food innovation ecosystem. What’s in store for startups at FI this year ? This year, the Fi Europe Startup Challenge will showcase 20 finalists competing in categories such as plant-based solutions or digital services. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday. The competition offers startups valuable exposure, networking with industry leaders, and the chance to connect with potential partners. It helps them accelerate their growth in the food and beverages sector. For a great overview of the competition check out the 2024 Fi Europe Startup Challenge eMag. Additionally, you can find out who the finalists are this year here. How is Food Ingredients Europe working toward sustainability and environmental responsibility? Fi Europe has taken several steps toward sustainability, including: Environmental Initiatives: Social Initiatives: If you are a startup exhibiting at a Food trade show soon, check out our top tips here to make the most of your experience !
Must-see startups at MIF Expo 2024: a guide to the future of Food & Beverage trends
Heading to MIF(Made in France) Expo next week, November 10-13th, Paris Porte de Versailles – and looking to dive straight into the trends defining the future of food & beverages? Streamline your visit with this curated list of must-see startups: Food Plant-based alternatives Functional foods Spicy products Anti-waste Socially-engaged foods Low-glycemic index options Better-for-you spreads Drinks Pre- and probiotic drinks Botanical drinks Solid drinks Responsible wine If you’re interested in a more tailored startup itinerary focused on specific topics or sub-trends with additional startup recommendations, feel free to reach out! I’m actively sourcing startups and can quickly create a custom plan for you. Just contact me at sandra@sesamers.com.
Inside World Summit AI 2024: Highlights from the Frontlines of AI Innovation
Returning to Amsterdam for its eighth edition, the World Summit AI opened this year with another awe-inspiring, eye-opening welcome video. Exciting music boomed across the hall as a variety of famous film clips addressing AI flashed across the large stage screens. The video culminated with a clip of Sam Altman delivering his now-iconic response to the potential dangers and threats posed by technology developed by OpenAI, a topic first addressed in February last year. The Spectacular Opening of World Summit AI 2024 “My worst fears are that we cause significant harm to the world […] and that could happen in a lot of different ways […] I think if this technology goes wrong, it could go quite wrong. But we try to be quite clear-eyed about what the downside case is and what the work is that we have to do to mitigate that.” — Sam Altman This blend of both wonder and alarm set the tone for the two-day event, where thought leaders from around the globe gathered to discuss industry developments in Generative AI. After a strong opening by Sarah Porter, founder of Inspired Minds, the headliner ‘Black Box’ stage featured talks from some of the most notable and relevant industry players today. Mark Heaps, Groq’s Chief Tech Evangelist and VP of Brand, spoke on the potential of LPUs (Language Processing Units), Darren Hardman, Microsoft’s Corporate VP of Enterprise & Industry, addressed business transformation in the AI era, and PepsiCo’s Executive VP of Strategy & Transformation, Dr. Athina Kanioura, shared her perspective on how robotics will transform the consumer packaged goods industry — just to name a few. Industry Leaders Share AI Innovations and Insights The event boasted a packed schedule, with multiple talks, panels, fireside chats, and workshops running in parallel. This year, participants could choose from over ten unique topic tracks across both days, tailoring their experience to the most relevant content. Tracks covered a wide range of subjects, from Humani-AI Convergence, exploring questions like what it means to be human in the age of AI and safeguarding fundamental human rights, to deep dives into Generative AI & LLMs, Money AI, Responsible AI & Governance, and Intelligent Health. Other key tracks, such as Economy, Employment & Equity, explored potential new economic models. On day two, the focus shifted to Accelerating AI Adoption, Deep Dive Tech Talks, Managing Cybersecurity, Privacy & Risk, and AI for Good. Key Tracks: Exploring AI’s Role Across Industries Two new tracks grabbed significant attention this year. The Mediaverse track explored maximizing gaming content relevancy through automation and how AI is bringing marketing to life by creating ‘sentient brands.’ Janina Lorenci, founder of MAIA Art Agency, addressed how AI is challenging our traditional notions of originality and the artist’s integrity. Lorenci, leaving the crows with her quote of “A paintbrush is not biased, AI is”, also hosted a stunning gallery exhibition promoting the collaboration between local Amsterdam creatives and AI tools. A key takeaway from this track was that while AI is pushing the boundaries of art and creativity, ethical considerations must guide its application in these areas. Additionally, the “Moonshot Mothership” track focused on AI and space exploration. Alicia Kavelaars, Co-Founder and CTO of OffWorld, delivered a keynote speech on AI and the new space age, inspiring the audience with a vision of how AI will turn science fiction into reality through its critical contribution to creating autonomous robotic workforces capable of working in extreme environments, such as underground mines or space, with minimal human intervention. Ethical AI and the Road to Global Regulation A clear message from this year’s World Summit AI was the growing emphasis on ethical AI and responsible development. Jeannette Gorzala, CEO & Founder of Act.AI.Now, stressed her concern that Europe’s attention towards the prevalent rise in cybercrime and malicious acts with AI has faded as the topic of the EU’s AI Act dragged on this year. Similarly, in a headline talk on the threats posed by AI by Section Chief in the Science & Technology branch of the FBI, Katie Noyes, an uncomfortable crowd sat, confronted, by the concerning rise in abusive and exploitative content created by genAI. A related headliner panel on this topic, with experts across industry and academia, addressed the question of if a global consensus on AI regulation will ever be reached. The key takeaway was that while global AI regulation may be difficult to achieve in the short term, region-specific regulatory frameworks can be a stepping stone toward a broader consensus on AI safety. The first two days of World Summit AI 2024 showcased how deeply AI is influencing every facet of our lives. From transforming business models to redefining creative industries, the event highlighted that AI’s potential is vast, but so are the responsibilities that come with it. Whether through enhancing cybersecurity or pushing the limits of space exploration, AI is becoming the driving force behind human and organizational evolution. The challenge ahead is clear: businesses and leaders must embrace AI not only for automation but as a tool that amplifies human creativity and innovation. Core Takeaways from the Event What about the Startup Scene? As always, Sesamers had their eyes on all things startup at the event, especially in the Startups, Scaleups, & Unicorns track. The WSAI startup cohort doubled in size this year, moving to a larger, dedicated floor space with over 30 startups in attendance. The City of Amsterdam continued to impress, showcasing the creativity and quality of its startup scene. Startups pitching ranged across industries, from EdTech with Digital Bricks and GreenTech from Antfarm, to creative city planning from Playground City, and Swipework, a Gen Z-targeted job recruiting platform. Curious for more? Check out our article on the Amsterdam startup scene here.
Björn Lapakko’s Startup Journey: Lessons in Innovation, Community Building, and Adapting to Change
In this episode, Björn Lapakko shares his experience navigating the startup ecosystem from the U.S. to the Nordics. He delves into his passion for building communities, the lessons learned from running tech conferences and startups, and his views on innovation and leadership in the ever-evolving world of tech.
Discover the Power of B2B Rocks: one of Europe’s Premier SaaS Networking Events
B2B Rocks is celebrated as the 3rd largest SaaS event in the world and the 1st in mainland Europe. Held at Station F in Paris, this event connects over 1,600 attendees from 40+ countries, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, learning, and growth in the SaaS industry.
Nathalie Birocheau on Leading Innovation in Audio Technology
Recorded during VivaTech 2024, this episode features Nathalie Birocheau, CEO of Ircam Amplify. Nathalie shares her journey in revolutionizing the music technology industry through cutting-edge audio solutions. Join us to learn about her career path, the evolution of Ircam Amplify, and how audio innovation is shaping the future of music and sound technology.
Unlocking Tech Trends and Innovations at France Digitale Day 2024
Maya Noël, General Director at France Digitale, unveils the exciting plans for FDDay 2024. From co-hosting CES 2024 Tech Trends to facilitating networking and collaboration among attendees, this event promises to be a game-changer in the European startup scene. Dive in to discover more about this innovative gathering.
Omid Ekhlasi’s Journey from Journalism to Tech Arena CEO
During VivaTech 2024 in Paris, we caught up with Omid Ekhlasi, CEO of Techarenan, to hear about his inspiring journey from journalism to leading a major Tech event in Sweden. Join us as we explore his career path and get his insights from behind the scenes of the Tech event industry.
The Venue Barcelona: Catalyzing Innovation in Music, Sports and Events
The Venue Barcelona, a new hub for innovation in music, sports, and events, recently opened with an inaugural event featuring over 120 companies. This dynamic ecosystem, home to notable names like Barcelona Music Tech Hub and Live Nation Entertainment, serves as a collaborative incubator, fostering innovation among corporations, startups, and organizations.
Waves of Change 2024: Bridging Sustainability, Innovation, and Coastal Challenges
Join us as we explore how the Waves of Change 2024 Forum fosters dynamic collaboration and sustainability, creating a unique platform for impact-driven organizations to turn connections into action.