CHICAGO – January 23, 2025 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is proud to announce that it has partnered with global venture capital firm PeakBridge on the Startup Pavilion at IFT FIRST 2025, being held July 13-16, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Backed by some of the largest players in the food industry, PeakBridge invests in visionary founders with scalable, protectable B2B technologies and positive impact at their core. A global expert in the field, the PeakBridge team includes pioneers of FoodTech investment and decades of deep Agri-Food operational and financial experience.
“Since day one, our team has been driven by finding practical, smart solutions to increasingly urgent problems across our global food system. That means investing in the best proprietary, science-backed technologies and in food innovation that makes economic sense – and tastes great,” said Nadav Berger, PeakBridge Founding General Partner. “Partnering with IFT, an organization of brilliant technologists and scientists, is a perfect match. We’re excited to be more involved in IFT FIRST, the ultimate space to connect food and tech – exactly the heart of our mission.”
The Startup Pavilion connects startups with peers, consulting groups, ingredient providers, business professionals, product developers and food scientists. Every year, up to 100 FoodTech startups from more than a dozen countries showcase their innovations while also having the option to participate in a speed pitch competition that awards $15,000 to the winner and runners-up.
“IFT is thrilled to partner with PeakBridge on the Startup Pavilion at IFT FIRST. They are truly one of the top leaders in FoodTech investment and recognize the urgent need to identify, develop, and support food startups as we seek solutions to address our top food problems,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “The Startup Pavilion has quickly become one of the most popular aspects of IFT FIRST as it not only showcases food innovation from startups in all stages of growth but provides these startups with the platform that they need and the connections that they require to bring their product to market to address those food challenges.”
IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo unites leaders and professionals helping shape the future of food. Each year, IFT FIRST convenes prominent food, health, and nutrition professionals across industry, academia, and government to collaborate, innovate, and educate. IFT FIRST features a dynamic expo floor that connects many of the top global food and wellness companies with buyers and those with purchasing influence, while also offering cutting-edge scientific programming that explores the hottest topics across the science of food. IFT FIRST also offers valuable networking opportunities, unique food competitions, and engaging interactive experiences to connect, enrich, and empower attendees in their missions to transform the global food system.
Registration for IFT FIRST 2025 opens in March 2025.
To learn more about IFT FIRST or to reserve a spot in the Startup Pavilion (space is limited), go to www.iftfirst.org.
About Institute of Food Technologists
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of approximately 11,000 individual members from more than 90 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and innovate to advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science and innovation is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.
About PeakBridge
PeakBridge is a highly networked, global VC bridging the gap between bold innovation and real-world needs to transform the future of food. From Seed to Series B, we invest in visionary pioneers with scalable, B2B, protectable technologies and positive impact at their core. Our global team includes pioneers of FoodTech investing, food industry experts and operators, scientists and financiers. 360° experience, tailor-made to support our portfolio companies in making long-term impact on our global food system.
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