Applications are open for the 2026 FoodTech 500, Forward Fooding’s annual global ranking recognising startups and scale-ups working at the intersection of food, technology and sustainability.
Now in its eighth edition, the FoodTech 500 provides international AgriFoodTech companies with an opportunity to gain visibility among investors, corporates, innovation partners and other players across the global food and agriculture ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has received more than 11,700 applications and showcased over 2,500 AgriFoodTech companies from around the world.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open globally to AgriFoodTech startups and scale-ups operating across the food supply chain.
To qualify, a company must:
- Be formally incorporated
- Have an active website
- Be less than 15 years old
- Develop a technology-enabled solution connected to food or agriculture
Companies can be at different stages of development, from early-stage ventures to more established businesses.
Relevant areas include: Alternative proteins | Vertical farming | Packaging and materials | Food waste and surplus management | Restaurant technology | Bio-engineered ingredients | Circular economy solutions | Functional foods | Food processing | Food safety and traceability | Nutrition | Kitchen robotics | Irrigation and water technologies | Precision farming | Agricultural biotechnology
How Companies Are Assessed
The 2026 ranking uses three main assessment areas.
- Business Viability considers commercial maturity and evidence of market traction, including customers, pilots, deployments and retail presence.
- Innovation & Differentiation examines how distinctive and defensible the company’s technology or solution is, including proprietary processes, intellectual property and other competitive advantages.
- Sustainability assesses how the business contributes to a more sustainable and inclusive food system.
The 2026 methodology places stronger emphasis on evidence rather than broad claims, so applicants are encouraged to provide verifiable information about customers, partnerships, deployment, market traction and impact.
What Selected Companies Gain
Companies that make the FoodTech 500 receive international recognition and exposure through Forward Fooding’s ecosystem.
Benefits include:
- Placement on the official FoodTech 500 ranking
- Inclusion in the annual FoodTech 500 White Paper
- Exposure through media, editorial and social campaigns
- Access to Forward Fooding’s network of more than 22,000 industry professionals
- Opportunities to connect with investors, corporates and strategic partners
- Potential collaboration pathways with trade and investment agencies and other ecosystem partners
There is no fee to apply or to be included in the final ranking.
Apply or Nominate a Company
Companies can apply directly for consideration.
Investors, corporates, ecosystem organisations and other individuals can also nominate an AgriFoodTech company they believe deserves recognition.
A nomination does not automatically place a company in the ranking. Nominated companies must still complete the official FoodTech 500 application to be considered.