For the second time NutrEvent took place in Rennes, known for its agriculture and agrifood ecosystem. On October 17th and 18th key players of the nutrition industry gathered at the convention: Agrifood, ingredient, finished food product and food supplement companies, start-ups, distributors, investors…
More than 500 delegates from over 25 countries took part in the event to contribute to the field’s progression. Once again NutrEvent aimed at fostering collaborations, a successful operation as more than 2,500 connexions were initiated through the partnering platform. This year, 44 stands animated the exhibition area during the two days.
The conference programme has allowed players from the industry to discuss the challenges they are facing: human and animal nutrition, food supplement or even sustainability. Thanks to the presentations of international speakers from research and industry, NutrEvent’s participants were able to get the latest information on the sector’s evolutions and trends and exchange with their peers.
The panel discussion on the latest innovations and future growth segments in alternative sources of proteins in which Luca Bucchini, Chair, European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) & Managing Director, Hylobates Consulting, Nathalie Lévy, Ingredients & Nutraceuticals Division Director, Nutrikéo, Catherine Lefranc-Millot, Senior Nutrition and Health R&D Manager, Roquette Group, Quentin Loth, Head of Production, Bosque Foods and Juliette Raoul-Fortésa, Associate, Capagro gathered an important audience. Certain categories of alternative sources of proteins are already standing out: leguminous ingredients and plant-based beverages. The experts have also identified an important pain point in the matter: spreading information to the final consumers play a key role in the development and the adoption of novel food solutions.
Young companies were given a unique opportunity to gain visibility: the Start-up Slams, NutrEvent’s pitch competition. After they have been evaluated and guided by NutrEvent’s Steering Committee, the selected start-ups presented their projects in front of a jury of experts composed of industry players and investors. This year, the company Onima was awarded as the most innovative start-up. Their objective is to build a more resilient food system by valorising co-products. They started with a co-product from the beer industry: yeast. After eliminating the bitterness of yeasts, Onima transforms them into super ingredients.
Rockstart, early-stage VC-accelerator that empowers purpose-driven founders to drive positive change across AgriFood, Energy and Emerging Tech made the decision to support the 2023 NutrEvent pitch competition. Rockstart will grant the winner 5 hours of consultancy, an access to the Rockstart selection days and a VIP pass to the Rockstart community day. These two events will give new investment opportunities to the start-up.
NutrEvent’s next edition will be held in Lille on October 1st and 2nd, 2024.
Innovations in Food (& Beverage) Technology is a quarterly magazine distributed globally both in Print and Digital formats. www.innovationsfood.com. Twitter: @Innovfoodtech. Instagram: @innovationsinfoodtechnology. Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terry-prior52
