Food Manufacture, the leading UK-based food and beverage industry publication, collaborated with FutureBridge on an exclusive, data-driven analysis identifying the Top 100 emerging food and drink startups worldwide. The report applies FutureBridge’s proprietary assessment approach, combining sector expertise, strategic evaluation, and advanced analytics to spotlight the most dynamic startups reshaping the global food and beverage value chain through innovation, sustainability, and technology-driven growth.

Using this strategic methodology, FutureBridge industry and strategy experts assessed thousands of startups across growth trajectory, funding strength, technology maturity, intellectual property, investor profile, and market traction. The analysis highlights five key innovation themes driving transformation across the sector:

1. AI-driven ingredient discovery (Shiru, NotCo) compressing R&D timelines from 5-15 years to 1-2.

2. Precision fermentation and alternative proteins (The EVERY Company, Future Fields) strengthening supply resilience for leading CPGs.

3. Functional wellness ingredients such as GLP-1 activators and natural sweeteners scaling rapidly from R&D to retail.

4. B2B collaboration models outpacing D2C as ingredient innovators enable faster reformulation.

5. Vertical integration (Plantible’s lemna farming) emerging as a strategy to mitigate climate volatility and sourcing risks.

With more than a decade of experience in food tech and innovation strategy, FutureBridge supports manufacturers, investors, and suppliers in identifying high-potential startups and emerging technologies that inform R&D, partnership, and investment priorities. . Read the full report here