We are on the lookout for ambitious plant-based startups that are ready to accelerate the protein shift! Are you eager to raise funding, expand your business and elevate your brand's visibility? Then send in your pitch deck for a chance to receive a free ticket for Plant FWD 2024 and claim your spotlight!
Startups that align with the Plant FWD mission and meet the required conditions will be granted free access to the Plant FWD Event (regular price €495). At the event you'll get the chance to engage in meaningful 1-on-1 meetings with investors and retail buyers, as well as connect with fellow startup founders.
The 10 most promising startups will be given the unique opportunity to showcase their company live on stage, capturing the attention of prominent investors, corporates, talents, and policymakers. Seize this chance to accelerate your plant-based startup's journey and make a lasting impact at Plant FWD!
Plant FWD
Following the success of the Plant FWD conference last year, Plant FWD 2024 is set to return to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on the 23rd and 24th of April. Serving as a gathering point for startups, scale-ups, investors, future talents, policy influencers, and other changemakers, united in their commitment to shaping a plant-forward future.
At Plant FWD our mission is to bring back balance in our food consumption by accelerating the transition from the current 40% to 60% plant-based proteins in 2030. We firmly believe that achieving this shift demands the incorporation of new technologies, daring ideas, and collaboration both within and across companies.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for innovative plant-based products, concepts, tools or services that contribute to accelerating the protein transition. Therefore, we invite startups that can contribute to the aim of achieving 60% plant-based proteins by 2030 to submit their pitch decks.
This can either be:
- Final alternative protein-based products: Innovative consumer-ready alternatives to meat, fish, dairy, poultry and other products.
- Plant-based semifinished products: Intermediary products for industrial food production.
- Plant-based ingredients or components: Ingredients that (partially) substitute traditional meat, fish, dairy and eggs in various dishes.
- Food additives with alternative proteins: Innovations in creating functional ingredients from alternative proteins.
- Food and restaurant concepts: Successful food or restaurant concepts accelerating the market for plant-based proteins.
- Tools for diet change: Tools and technologies that encourage and facilitate individuals in transitioning to more plant-based diets.
- Software tools: Whether it's supply chain management or recipe optimisation, these tools should contribute to the protein transition.
If your contribution doesn't fit precisely within these categories but aligns with our mission to accelerate the protein shift, we wholeheartedly welcome your participation.
What we offer
We see this challenge as an opportunity to collaborate and actively support startups in growing their business. We help you accelerate your business and maximize your contribution to a sustainable food system. Our partners have access to the best facilities, resources across a wide scope of industries and disciplines and to potential investors and partnerships worldwide.
All selected startups:
- Get free admission to the Plant FWD event* (regular price € 495,-)
- Get the opportunity to create new collaborations with business partners.
- Participate in our Investor Matchmaking and Meet the buyer sessions
In addition the 10 most promising startups will:
- Get a chance to pitch on stage in front of the media, investors, industry experts, and Plant FWD’s audience.
- Will be announced exclusively in a press release.
*max. 1 ticket per startup, second ticket available with a discounted price of €295 (discount code will be shared after challenge closing).
Conditions for participating
- You will be physically present at the event 23rd and/or 24th of April in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. If covering these costs is a barrier to your participation, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via hello@plantfwd.com
What previous participants say
"During the pitch rounds, I was given 10 minutes to present our story to the Goeie Grutten impact fund. These turned out to be 10 very valuable minutes because six months later they came on board as an investor and thanks to them we can further realize our ambitions."
Frederike de Groot,
Co-founder World of Nix
"Participating in Plant FWD was very valuable for us. The entire sector was present: from food service to retail and from start-ups to investors. It was the perfect way to show and give a taste of our products. Plant FWD has really enriched our network!"
Sophie Nieuwenhuijsen-Tielrooij,
Founder De Nieuwe Keuken
Your pitch deck
Send in a short and concise pitch deck of your solution. Ideally, it should contain descriptions of the following:
- Description of your product or solution, as detailed and visual as possible
- In which phase is the solution?
- In which market are you active?
- How will you bring your innovation to the market?
- Description of your company & team
- How and when was your company founded?
- In which phase is your company?
- How is your team build?
- Potential funding you are raising
The pitch deck may be submitted in free form (presentation / slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4 - max. 30MB). Videos, example websites, etc. can be included as a link.
Timeline
- Registration Open - January 31st at 9.00 (CET)
- Registration Closes - March 11th at 17.00 (CET)
- Shortlisted Startups Announced - March 27th
- Final pitch decks due - April 7th
- Pitch training (online) - April 11th
- Pitch on stage in Amsterdam - April 23 & 24
Terms and conditions
- Participation is open for all startups with an innovative product and/or technology.
- You qualify as a start-up if you were founded less than 5 years ago and your revenue was lower than 1 million euros in 2023.
- It's up to Plant FWD team to decide if your startup and product or service aligns with our mission and if you will be granted free access to the conference and the start-up program.
- You will remain the owner of your intellectual rights, concept or solution in your pitch.
- Be aware of the fact that your pitch (and concepts and ideas in it) will be viewed and be shared with the jury. Keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch.
- If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via hello@plantfwd.com
Still not convinced? Here's a taste of the Plant FWD event 2023