Watch #5 for Symrise - Q1 + April 2026

While global AgriFoodTech funding remains flat in the first quarter of 2026, there are a growing number of signals which indicate a potential bounce back of the innovation ecosystem:

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Multiple acquisitions, even if mostly brands, notably Grüns (supplements) by Unilever, Huel (meal replacement) by Danone, or The Gut Stuff (gut health protein bars) by Hero. These contribute to the growing feeling that there is now an “exit path” for startups, and hence help investors to be more motivated in investing into them.
Increasing number of corporate x startup partnerships, including Symrise, and also announcements involving Unilever, Danone, Ajinomoto, Bel, DSM…
Scale-up and commercialisation progress from startups, notably on new ingredients: in this watch, more than 10 ingredient startups have raised funds with the goal to ramp up their production and start commercialising.

Also, among the key elements identified in this watch:

Precision fermentation startups focused on dairy alternatives are raising funds again (Verley, Standing Ovation, Those Vegan Cowboys), but this time, it’s almost only European-based startups, even if they are targeting the US market.
Plant-cell culture cocoa products should be available as soon as the end of the year.
Many health-driven (gut-health, better-for-you brands) startups raising funds or announcing partnerships (notably with Ingredion).