The field of FoodTech continues to grow, thanks in particular to the impetus of start-ups who innovate on a daily basis with ever more innovative concepts. But of the many companies offering new services and products linked to the integration of technology in the food sector, some have stood out. Here's a closer look at 10 outstanding European FoodTech start-ups.

What is FoodTech? 

More and more FoodTech start-ups have entered the market over the last ten years. This field covers all technological innovations designed to to improve activities in the food sector (production (production, delivery, storage, etc.). The aim of these young companies? To improve product quality, offer practical, innovative services and optimize the consumer experience.

There are 6 areas of FoodTech :

• AgTech technology and agriculture (connected farms, for example)
• Food Science in-depth research, imagination and design for the food of the future
• Delivery : delivery of ready meals, meal kits, etc.
• Food Service : the desire to rethink foodservice management
• Coaching A service that supports people in their lifestyle, particularly in the case of diets.
• Retail Food retailing

Each area targets different needs and issues. Nevertheless, the the aim of FinTech is always the same: to put to put new technologies at the service of people and their food.

Europe's 10 FoodTech startups

In Europe, the FoodTech industry is booming. After a year of stagnation in all its categories (from the future of agriculture to the food of the future to delivery) and also in most regions, investment has reached 9.5 billion euros in European FoodTech startups in 2021. This is 3 times more than the previous year. But who are the major FoodTech players in Europe?

Deliveroo, founded in the United Kingdom in 2013, is a delivery meal deliverybased on fast, simple operation.

Its international success is due in no small part to its innovative concept: the company was one of the first to offer a home delivery service in collaboration with major restaurant chains, as well as small local establishments.

The application has several functions. It calculates the best routes for its independent couriers, suggests restaurants and personalized offers to its users, transfers orders to the restaurant and provides secure payment and automated assistance in case of need.

Denmark is home to the parent company of the second largest FoodTech startup in this ranking. In 2015, Too Good To Go officially went live on mobile download platforms.

Its aim? To combat food waste by offering users the possibility of recovering meal baskets at lower cost, which were originally destined to be thrown away.

Structures that can appear on the application include bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants.

In an era where ecology and sustainability are major concerns, FoodTech startup Too Good To Go is innovating by actively helping to reduce food waste in a way that is accessible to all.

There's something for everyone: 

• consumers find quality food at low prices
• the retailer reduces costs due to waste
•  the platform raises environmental awareness
  

Back to England, where we find JustEat. Born in Denmark in 2001, the start-up is now headquartered in London.

The service offered by the start-up is similar to that of Deliveroo or UberEat : visit deliver food ordered online, quickly and from local restaurants or supermarkets.

What sets JustEat apart is the fact that the application doesn't use independent delivery drivers. The restaurateurs on the app manage their own deliveries.

Foodspring is a German company founded in 2013. That year, it made its mark on the FoodTech world with a brand new concept: home delivery of food supplements for athletes. 

Foodspring offers a wide range of healthy products (protein bars, cookies, capsules, powders, etc.) that can be incorporated into a balanced diet, as well as nutritional advice and dietary recipes to support customers from A to Z in their sports program.

The added value of this start-up lies in its concept of health and dietetics. The products, as well as the advice provided on the site, are all developed by experts in nutrition and dieteticsaccording to the customer's needs.

Foodvisor is a French startup that made its debut in 2015. This mobile app, available on the App Store and Play Store, offers you a fully personalized program to step by step to a healthier diet. 

This app is a complete guide where each user can scan the food they consume, so as to obtain a precise follow-up of the quality of their diet (number of calories, sugar content...). 

Thanks to this feature, personalized recommendations are made available to you to help you achieve your nutritional goals.

In the field of FoodTech, this kind of business model ensures real progress! The Foodvisor app not only offers a follow-up worthy of a nutrition professional, but also contains detailed information on different types of food and healthy recipes.

Hailing from Spain, Glovo was founded in 2015. This start-up developed as a mobile application of home delivery in the same genre as JustEat, but much more complete.

The app is available in 22 countries. However, it has no intention of stopping there, and intends to expand worldwide.

Its comprehensive content is also due to its association with local local delivery companies who go straight to the customer's door to deliver what they want, when they want it.

Glovo is innovative in that it specializes in food delivery... but that's not all ! In addition to being able to order meals from restaurants of all kinds, you can also find establishments such as pharmacies, supermarkets and other boutiques. A real innovation that has made an impact in FoodTech.

In a completely different register, The Fork is also one of the most popular Europe's leading FoodTech start-ups.

Contrary to what its English name might suggest, the platform is French. It is currently available on mobile via the App Store and Play Store, as well as on its website in 20 European countries. 

The concept was launched in 2007 with the aim of making it possible to reserve a table at a restaurant. In fact, The Fork was the first online restaurant reservation platform.

Based on the same model as hotel and airline booking sites and apps, this FoodTech offered a novel concept, although its success was not immediate. 

Today, however, The Fork is a recognized piece of software that has already been awarded the Grand Prix de l'Innovation.

Based in Germany since 2011, HelloFresh, a FoodTech company, has quickly become popular in many countries. Its concept is simple, and works as aflexible subscription every week, boxed meals delivered to your doorThe new "EASY TO USE" system means you don't have to waste any more time shopping. 

But it's much more than a meal delivery app. The start-up gives users access to products and recipes that will help them save time on the tedious on the tedious task of meal preparation.

The fact that the subscription is flexible gives customers the advantage of having a personalized food quantity entirely adapted to their needs (number of people in the household, number of meals per day, culinary preferences).

Founded in 2014 in Munich, Foodora is a start-up of home meal delivery. Its concept is available as a mobile application that can be downloaded and used in several European countries, including Germany, France and Italy.

Its mode of operation differs from that of JustEat or Deliveroo, since it offers food deliveries made by professional couriersdirectly hired by the startup. A detail that strikes a chord with some users, who point to "ethical" concerns among the FoodTech start-up's competitors.

To close the ranking of Europe's top 10 FoodTech start-ups, we return to France with FoodChéri. This is a platform dedicated to meal delivery and company lunches. Since 2015, it has been one of the only start-ups to innovate both in FoodTech, but also in office break time!

It's easy to use: just go to the site andplace your order 2 days in advance. On the appointed day, you'll be delivered as agreed.

The plus? All recipes are prepared by chefs using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

It's also a flexible platform, offering meals to suit all diets (veggie, etc.). The start-up's values are also clear: to move towards a diet that is more respectful of the planet and human beings.

 

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Caroline B - Freelance journalist