Valley Insiders | For Valley partners only | Edition No.2 2025
✅ The missing ingredient in food system resilience
When we imagine the future of food, we often picture cutting-edge tech, circular systems, and low-impact supply chains. But there’s one factor we don’t talk about enough: people.
My latest opinion piece argues that talent is the true engine behind food system transformation. From startup founders and researchers to mid-career pivoters and seasoned experts, it’s the individuals – and the skills they bring – that will determine how resilient, sustainable, and innovative our food systems really become.
I’m asking:
How can we attract talent to drive food system transformation?
What skills will define the next decade of food innovation?
And how is Switzerland helping to grow this diverse
ecosystem of future food leaders?
If we want to future-proof food, we have to start with people. How will you share your journey and inspire the next generation to drive the change we need to see?
Christina Senn-Jakobsen CEO, Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley
🤫 For Valley partners-only Log in here using the password SFNV2023 to check out our discount codes for events and working spaces and benefit from ecosystem support.
Food system transformation starts with people
When we think about food system resilience, we picture technologies, supply chains, and sustainability protocols. But who is driving these solutions? In her latest article, Valley CEO Christina Senn-Jakobsen explores the role that talent plays in driving food transformation. Find out where you fit in here.
Meet SFNV’s new COO: Anna Mucha
From corporate supply chains to agile startups, Anna Mucha brings a rare blend of systems thinking and entrepreneurial grit to her new role as Chief Operating Officer at Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley. We sat down with her to talk circularity, collaboration, and how she plans to help shape a future-ready food system. Read the full interview
This quarter's highlights
Plating up something new with Luya
What happens when a startup focused on zero-additive, upcycled ingredients teams up
with a national food service group? Delicious things. Discover how Luya and ZFV Group are rethinking vegan cuisine with just six ingredients, a side of innovation, and a big dose of collaboration.
Our latest Impact Digest explores the powerful link between nutrition and mental wellbeing. Get expert insights from June’s Impact Forum on gut-brain science, supplementation, and food-based prevention.
The SFNV Navigator is your NEW interactive guide to funding, partners, research, and more. Whether you're scaling a startup or launching a new project, this tool connects you to what, and who, you need in the Swiss food ecosystem.
🆕 Share your news through our NEW Communication Hub
Closed a funding
round, kicked off a new collaboration or won an award? Head over to the SFNV Communication Hub and find out how you can quickly and easily get your news and innovations featured on Valley channels.
📣 Secure press coverage as a Valley PR ambassador Eager to share your story with audiences across Europe and the US? As
part of our partnership with Switzerland Global Enterprise, a limited number of Valley partners can benefit from tailored PR support. Put forward your ambassador here.
Top news
🌱 New Roots’ founders launched a new plant-based brand, Yellow Sunshine, and its new, lupin-based protein. 🍅 Voltiris unveiled the world’s first tomato greenhouse powered by a hectare-scale spectral-filtering solar system. 🏭 Planted officially opened its state-of-the art production facility to scale its proprietary whole-muscle platform. 💶 Precision farming company Ecorobotix is on track to hit €500 million in annual sales in five years. 💪🏼 Nestlé announced plans to strengthen its R&D expertise in biotech and create a new center for deep tech, and shared that its Nescafé brand has surpassed its 2025 regenerative agriculture goal. 🇮🇹 dsm-firmenich broke ground on a state-of-the-art flavour and functional blend development facility. 🆕 Bühler opened its new Puffing Application Center to provide food and feed producers with industrial-scale capabilities to test, optimise, and scale puffed grain and pulse products. 🏅 Tetra Pak’s New Food Technology Development Centre is now open for business, to support biomass and precision fermentation-derived food producers. 🌟 The five finalists have been announced for the Igeho Rising Star 2025 award. 🏆 Swiss startup UpGrain was awarded the prestigious Startfeld Diamant 2025 award. 💰Valley partner planetary has acquired Mycelium meat startup Libre Foods and secured CHF 1.8M of government support for its Microprotein/BioBlocks project. 🔬 ADM launched its new state-of-the-art Microbiome R&D Innovation Center dedicated to the health and wellness of animals. 🚀 German startup Innocent meat will join the Cultured Hub to take their production to pilot scale 🥇 Switzerland took the top spot in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, celebrated for
its economic performance, government and business efficiency, and infrastructure.
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