Generate: New Open Call for Ingredients Startups to Foster Innovation
Generate launched a new Open Call for Startups, inviting pioneering food-tech and ingredient-tech companies to apply to the Generate Program 2026 from March 16th to May 4th, 2026. Generate is Nexture’s open innovation hub, a platform that sparks the creation of tomorrow’s food solutions thanks to collaborations with startups, peers and food companies, contributing to a more sustainable, nourishing and resilient food system.
Generate offers tailored 12-18 month programs to ingredient pioneers, granting them access to application opportunities, cutting-edge R&D facilities and commercial support. By validating proofs of concept and enabling industrial scale-up through Nexture’s ecosystem – including CSM Ingredients, HIFOOD, Frulact, Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Comprital and Prodotti Rubicone – the program accelerates the journey from breakthrough idea to market-ready solution.
“Through Generate, we aim to identify and partner with the most promising ingredient innovators tackling the key challenges of our industry,” said Emanuele Pizzigalli, Chief Innovation Officer at Nexture. “The 2026 Open Call reflects the strategic areas where we see the strongest need for transformation – from healthier formulations and advanced functionality to resilient supply chains and sustainable fat solutions. We are looking for bold, science-driven startups ready to scale their impact together with us.”
The scouting and evaluation process for the 2026 Open Call will be carried out once more with URIKA Partners, a firm specialized in innovative strategy, venture building, strategic investments, and technology collaboration, primarily in the Agri-Food and Climate industries.
This year’s Open Call will focus on five strategic technology domains aligned with Nexture’s innovation priorities:
1. In the area of Bakery Evolution, Generate is looking for solutions that can redefine performance and quality in baked goods, including advanced freshness and softness enzymes as well as next-generation gluten-related technologies capable of improving texture, structure and nutritional profiles.
2. Within Oils & Texturization, the program seeks breakthrough approaches to palm oil replacement, innovative laminated fats and novel lipid structuring technologies that can deliver functionality, stability and mouthfeel while improving sustainability and supply resilience.
3. For Alternative Carbs & Proteins, the call targets fiber enrichment solutions, highly digestible proteins and sugar reduction technologies, alongside cost-effective bulking agents and high-performance proteins and fibers designed for emulsifying, gelling and advanced texturizing applications.
4. In the Nutrition area, Generate is interested in science-backed solutions addressing metabolic health – including GLP-1 boosting and low glycemic index approaches – as well as microbiome-targeted ingredients and healthy ageing solutions supported by robust data.
5. Finally, under Future Proofing, the program welcomes innovations such as cocoa replacements and new natural preservative systems, including bioactive peptides and alternatives to potassium sorbate, aimed at enhancing product stability while meeting clean-label expectations.
Startups can submit their applications between March 16th and May 4th, 2026, joining a growing community committed to shaping the future of ingredients. Indeed, since its launch, Generate has built a strong pipeline of breakthrough innovators, including Green-On, Kokomodo, YEAP, PoLoPo, Ingrediome and ImaginDairy.