Plantible Wins Top Honors at IFT FIRST’s The Pitch With Egg-replacing Rubi Protein
Plantible has been named the winner of The Pitch at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo 2025, held July 13–16 in Chicago. Organized by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the rapid-fire pitch competition spotlights early-stage food tech innovations and featured six startups from the show’s Startup Pavilion.
Plantible, a biology-driven food ingredients company, was awarded the EUR9.2k (USD10,000) grand prize for its flagship ingredient Rubi Protein—a highly functional, plant-based protein that replaces eggs, dairy, and synthetic emulsifiers in a wide range of food applications. Derived from the aquatic lemna plant, Rubi offers complete nutrition (PDCAAS 1.0), foaming, emulsifying, and binding properties that rival or outperform traditional animal-based ingredients—all while being allergen-free and more sustainable.
“Winning IFT FIRST’s The Pitch competition underscores our belief that the food system doesn’t need an alternative – it needs an upgrade,” said Tony Martens, Plantible Co-Founder and CEO. “We’re growing novel plants and transforming them into next-generation ingredients that deliver better functionality, nutrition, and resilience than today’s staples. We are starting with our amazing Rubi Protein. This recognition is a powerful signal that the future of food will be built on innovation at the supply chain level, because when you start with better building tools, you unlock better food.”
As part of its presence at IFT FIRST, Plantible also introduced Lemna Leaf Greens—a new green powder ingredient containing protein, fiber, and essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. With a mild taste and wide functionality, the ingredient is targeted at ready-to-mix beverages, nutrition bars, supplements, and culinary formats.
The Pitch, sponsored by Seeding The Future Foundation, awarded EUR2.3k ($2,500) runner-up prizes to Crush Dynamics, which upcycles fermented grape pressings into functional ingredients, and RedLeaf Biologics, which extracts potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds from red-leaf sorghum.
“The Pitch is a great way to spotlight bold, science-driven solutions that have the potential to transform our food system,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT. “Congratulations to Plantible and all the finalists.”
Last year’s winner was Scentian Bio, a biotech firm developing insect olfactory biosensors to measure aroma and taste.