Jan 20 2021
The Most Awarded Spanish Foodtech Startups
As a country typically celebrated for its traditional gastronomic backdrop and heightened use of unique palettes, Spain is beginning to see an increased leveraging of high-tech innovations that help to position the region as a new pioneer for the next generation of food.
The question is: is Spain the beginning of a real foodtech revolution?
Spanish startups raked up a handful of accolades last year. Plant-based pioneer Heura Foods was awarded 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Emprendedores de España magazine as the young company was named the fastest growing vegan meat brand in Europe with a 450% overall growth. Founding entrepreneur Marc Coloma stated that “The companies of the future are the ones that integrate the social and the economic, and transform society...Traditions need to be updated...”* .
A true testament to the power of combining both traditional food histories with innovative technologies to address new consumer demand. The alt protein sector didn't stop in 2020. Cultured meat research consortium Meat4All was awarded 2.7 million euros back in October under a grant from the EU's Horizon 2020 R&D funding programme. It marked major support for the burgeoning food space as it was the first cell-based meat project to receive public funding from the EU.
Spanish startups aren't strangers to national & global recognition
Agrasys and Souji are both companies known for their high praise. Agrasys is a spinoff born from researchers at the institute of Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC) and other industry professionals and the latter a cleaner conscience startup turning oil into soap, this year awarded by the European Environmental Awards for their innovative yet simple solution.* With more startups on the scene and food science and technology a driving force behind a push for betterness, 2020 has been a year to celebrate those making headway in the Spanish food industry both nationally and internationally, with new products and technologies addressing needs that are better for humans, health and the environment.
