One difference is striking compared to previous years: the quasi-absence of trends where the European FoodTech ecosystem is a laggard. Though Europe may not yet be a leader in most areas, it has at least a handful of interesting startups.
For the ecosystem, it’s an excellent sign that we can quickly identify many exciting startups across the « four types of trends »:
- Short-term
- Hype (when a lot of people talk about it but with a long road still ahead)
- Long-term / niche
- Disregarded/facing doubts
It should be noted that in tech in general, investments have significantly decreased in the first quarter. We’ll see how this will play out for FoodTech specifically, but it seems true that the levels will be considerably lower at first sight.
However, we have never felt so optimistic about the state of FoodTech and even more about Europe’s FoodTech. And again, it’s not all about money (which is important to compare the evolution and see if entrepreneurs will have the means to accomplish their vision). The trends above and the billions invested into them have the potential to help us build a better food system for our planet and our health. Europe may be well-placed to lead this revolution with the right mix of talent (from entrepreneurs and corporations), luck, money, and public policy (the sore point).
Have a good week,
Matthieu
