Open Innovation Forum Pitching Event 2025

Description

Overview 

Senior leaders from major Food, Drink and FMCG firms such as Diageo, Twinings, Mars, Suntory, Nomad Foods, Müller, Cargill, pladis, and Kerry are holding a pitching event for innovative companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups and university spin-offs. These companies, who are members of the University of Cambridge IfM’s Open Innovation (OI) Forum, are seeking new solutions to their business challenges, so you have the chance to pitch to them at an event on the afternoon of Wednesday 12th November at an event at the Samworth Brothers Craft and Innovation Centre in Melton Mowbray.

The Food, Drink & FMCG Innovation Pitching Event is open to all individuals, research organisations and companies of all sizes and levels of maturity. Up to 20 entrepreneurs, start-ups, researchers, innovators and technology developers will be picked to pitch their ideas to a panel of key decision-makers and ‘innovation scouts’ from important Food, Drink and FMCG firms (see full list here). 

2025 Theme: ‘Novel means to sustainably develop, produce, and deliver healthy nutrition’

Applications are welcome that address a broad range of priority ‘Innovation Needs’ identified by the OI Forum members, as listed below:

• Non-ultra processed foods (UPF)
• Food security and resilience
• AI applied to sensory NPD – improved tools for the development of healthy products
• Sustainable food, drink, and FMCG production
• Sustainable packaging
• Waste stream valorisation

Reasons to enter:

• Most importantly, all finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas and products to around 50 senior leaders and decision-makers whose main job role is to scout for and acquire innovation and technology from outside their organisations.
• Winners and highly commended entries will receive a trophy.
• All finalists will receive a certificate and will benefit from publicity associated with the event.
• All proposed pitches will be circulated to OI Forum members, whether they are shortlisted as finalists or not, so this is a sure-fire way of getting your idea in front of some key potential partners.

What past pitchers say:

“Kelpi was delighted to win the Open Innovation Forum in 2023.  The pitching process introduced us to a very impressive group of senior decisions makers from global food and FMCG companies.  One of the companies present has become a long term R&D partner and a number of others have developed into mutually beneficial relationships.  The pitch process itself incorporated some useful feedback, as well as meeting other impressive startups and founders.  The Forum is a great opportunity to engage directly with key leaders from some of the biggest companies in the world” 

Hugo Adams, CEO Kelpi, 2023 Winner

 You will be asked to provide information on:

1. Organisation or Research Group/Department
Briefly introduce your organisation or department, including relevant background information, key areas of activity, and a website URL.

2. Innovative Solution (Max 200 words)
Describe your innovative solution, including any supporting details. What makes this approach novel or unique? Highlight any associated intellectual property (IP), if applicable.

3. Identified Needs Addressed
Indicate which of the innovation needs identified by the OI Forum members your solution addresses. Additionally, specify which OI Forum member companies are likely to be most interested in this innovation.

4. Technology Readiness (Max 100 words)
Describe the current stage of development of your solution. Examples include: Initial principle, proof of concept, lab  demonstration, field trials, or commercial application

Application deadline:

The first 10 pitching slots will be shortlisted after the early bird deadline on 17 September. The final deadline for applications is 15 October.

Find out more about the Open Innovation forum.