Events, FoodTech

Top Food & Beverages events for startups in 2025

Here’s the ultimate curated list of 44 must-attend events for Food & Beverages startups in 2025.

Compiled by our FoodTech experts, this comprehensive guide covers Food & Beverages events happening across Europe, Asia and the U.S in 2025. Designed for founders, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, it’s your go-to resource for exploring the latest FoodTech innovations!

Horecava

January 13-16, Amsterdam – Netherlands

Expected participants : 60000

Horecava brings together a diverse audience from hospitality, catering, and food service sectors to explore innovations in food tech, sustainability, and culinary trends, making it a vital networking and idea-sharing hub for industry professionals.

Winter Fancy Food Show

January 19-21, Las Vegas – United States

Expected participants : 13000

The Winter Fancy Food Show highlights premium and artisanal foods from around the world, showcasing everything from small-batch creations to organic and sustainably-sourced products, connecting specialty food brands with retailers and distributors.

Grüne Woche

January 17-26, Berlin – Germany

Expected participants : 275000

Grüne Woche is one of the leading exhibitions for the agriculture and food industry, offering an ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase innovative products and solutions. This event not only highlights cutting-edge developments but also addresses critical societal issues such as climate protection, the circular economy, resource conservation, and sustainable land use.

Sirha

January 23-27, Lyon – France

Expected participants : 200000

Sirha Lyon gathers the entire food service and hospitality ecosystem, offering a global stage for innovation, competitions, and knowledge-sharing. It’s where professionals come to discover the latest trends, exchange ideas, and shape the future of the industry.

ISM Cologne

February 2-5, Cologne – Germany

Expected participants : 30000

ISM Cologne brings together industry leaders and emerging brands in the sweets and snacks sector, offering insights into the latest products, trends, and technologies shaping the global confectionery and snack markets.

Pro Sweets

February 2-5, Cologne – Germany

Expected participants : 13000

Leading global event for suppliers and decision-makers in the snacks and sweets industry. This event covers the entire industrial value chain of the confectionery and snack industry, including finished products, raw materials, technology, and packaging.

Fruit Logistica

February 5-7, Berlin – Germany

Expected participants : 66000

Fruit Logistica is the world’s leading international trade fair for fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, and tree nuts.

Manifest

February 10-12, Las-Vegas – United States

Expected participants : 6000

The premiere gathering that unites the entire eco-system of Fortune 500 global supply chain executives, logistics service providers, innovators and investors at the forefront of logistics tech and end-to-end supply chain.

Biofach

February 11-14, Nuremberg – Germany

Expected participants : 35000

Biofach provides a comprehensive showcase of organic products, from raw ingredients to packaged goods. It draws a global audience of professionals dedicated to sustainability, offering insights into organic food trends and opportunities for partnerships in the green sector.

Gulfood

February 17-21, Dubai – UAE

Expected participants : 100000

Gulfood attracts an international audience of food professionals, highlighting a wide range of products from emerging markets and offering insights into regional consumer trends, trade opportunities, and innovations in food and beverage.

AFCI Con

February 22-25, Dallas – United States

Expected participants : 1500

AFCI Con is where frozen food industry leaders connect, showcasing new products, technologies, and strategies for sustainability and efficiency. It provides a platform for collaboration, industry insights, and exploring trends in frozen foods.

Natural Products Expo West

March 4-7, Anaheim – United States

Expected participants : 65000

Natural Products Expo West brings together the CPG and retail ecosystem, featuring the latest in organic, natural, and sustainable products. It’s a key event for discovering emerging brands and trends focused on health, wellness, and eco-consciousness.

Food Expo

March 8-10, Athens – Greece

Expected participants : 35000

Food Expo showcases a vast array of food products, from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat offerings. It’s an essential hub for professionals seeking to explore trends, develop partnerships, and discover business opportunities across the industry.

World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit

March 11-12, San Francisco – United States

Expected participants : 2500

The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit gathers leaders from agri-food businesses, tech providers, and investors for networking, market intelligence, and discovering startups. Attendees engage in high-level discussions on innovation and investment in agriculture.

Foodex

March 11-15, Chiba – Japan

Expected participants : 80000

Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, emphasizing innovation and market expansion. It showcases a diverse range of Asian and international food products, focusing on food tech, sustainability, and regional specialties. It serves as a major platform for business networking, culinary trends, and market insights.

Future FoodTech

March 13-14, San Francisco – United States

Expected participants : 1450

Future Food-Tech brings together global food corporates, investors and technology start-ups from around the world to uncover the most exciting innovations in the agri-food sector, forging the right partnerships to take those solutions to market.

IFE

March 17-19, London – United Kingdom

Expected participants : 30000

IFE (International Food & Drink Event) is where food professionals come to explore thousands of products from around the world, connect with new suppliers, and discover innovative trends and solutions shaping the food and drink industry.

HRC

March 17-19, London – United Kingdom

Expected participants : 30000

Connects the industry’s most influential hospitality experts, chefs, and operators with the finest suppliers in the market, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in equipment, services, technology and more.

Food Hotel Tech

March 19-20, Paris – France

Expected participants : 8000

Food Hotel Tech brings together digital tools, eco-friendly products, and tech innovations aimed at transforming the hospitality industry. It’s a hub for hotel and restaurant professionals to discover sustainable and tech-driven solutions.

World Food Poland

April 8-10, Warsaw – Poland

Expected participants : 5000

World Food offers a comprehensive showcase of food products from around the world, connecting suppliers and buyers to explore emerging trends, expand into new markets, and discover innovative solutions in the food and beverage industry.

FHA Asia

April 8-11, Singapore

Expected participants : 72000

Food & Hotel Asia brings together an international audience, featuring a wide array of F&B products, hospitality solutions, and cutting-edge technologies, making it a must-attend for those looking to innovate in the Asian hospitality market.

SIAL Canada

April 29-May 1, Toronto – Canada

Expected participants : 21000

SIAL Canada is not only the meeting point for the Canadian agri-food industry, but also the preferred gateway to the American and international market.

Tutto Food

May 5-8, Milan – Italy

Expected participants : 80000

TuttoFood is known for showcasing Italian and international food innovations, with a strong focus on high-quality and unique products. It’s a hub for networking, trend-spotting, and discovering pioneering brands in the global food market.

Food4Future

May 13-15, Bilbao – Spain

Expected participants : 8000

Showcases innovative projects and solutions aiming to transform the food sector towards a more efficient, sustainable and technological model.

SIAL China

May 19-21, Shanghai – China

Expected participants : 180000

Asia’s largest food & beverages trade fair. Annually, this trade show provides an excellent opportunity to exhibit cutting-edge products and exchange ideas, and viewpoints within the industry.

PLMA

May 20-21, Amsterdam – Netherlands

Expected participants : 15000

PLMA (Private Label Manufacturers Association) showcases private label food and non-food products, enabling retailers to discover new offerings from emerging brands and suppliers and foster partnerships for unique, cost-effective solutions.

IBA

May 18-22, Munich – Germany

Expected participants : 57000

IBA brings together baking and confectionery professionals to explore the latest equipment, ingredients, and industry trends, offering a platform for product innovation and collaboration across the bakery sector.

Vitafoods Europe

May 20-22, Barcelona – Spain

Expected participants : 22000

Vitafoods Europe gathers the global nutraceutical community to explore the latest in functional ingredients, supplements, and health products. It’s a prime platform for networking, partnerships, and discovering trends in health and nutrition.

F&A Next

May 21-22, Wageningen – Netherlands

Expected participants : 800

F&A Next is about thought leadership and connecting promising startups and scale-ups to dedicated Food & Agtech investors and leading corporates. It includes two days of networking, pitching and debating the dynamics in food and agriculture.

Fispal Food Service

May 27-30, São Paulo – Brazil

Expected participants : 55000

Brazil’s largest food service event, connecting the entire food and hospitality ecosystem. It showcases the latest in food service equipment, technology, and solutions, bringing together professionals from restaurants, bakeries, bars, and more to explore advancements in efficiency, sustainability, and consumer trends.

Thaifex Anuga

May 27-31, Bangkok – Thailand

Expected participants : 85000

Thaifex Anuga Asia is a vibrant marketplace for food and beverage professionals, with an emphasis on Asian and international trends. It’s a premier venue for discovering new products, building partnerships, and exploring market opportunities.

Hi & Fi Asia China

June 24-26, Shanghai – China

Expected participants : 16000

Hi & Fi Asia-China is the premier industry event that brings together leading suppliers, manufacturers, and experts from the health and food industry.

Summer Fancy Food Show

June 29-July 1, NYC – United States

Expected participants : 30000

The Summer Fancy Food Show highlights innovative, high-quality foods and beverages, from specialty ingredients to artisanal products. It’s a key event for discovering unique brands and exploring trends in the gourmet food and beverage sectors.

IFT First

July 13-16, Chicago – United States

Expected participants : 16000

IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) is a hub for professionals to explore scientific advancements, interact with new technologies, and engage with over 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the future of food science and tech.

Newtopia Now

August 20-22, Denver – United States

Expected participants : 7000

A new event that brings brands and buyers together in new ways to create the next era of purpose-led CPG and retail. It reimagines the traditional tradeshow experience. It emphasizes authentic interactions and purposeful discovery, providing a platform for meaningful connections and insights in the health and wellness sector.

Drinktek

September 15-19, Munich – Germany

Expected participants : 50000

Drinktec is a major event for the beverage and liquid food industry, held every four years in Munich. It brings together suppliers and solution providers from around the world with producers of drinks and liquid foods. The event covers everything from raw materials and ingredients to process technology, machinery for filling, and packaging for beverages like beer, soft drinks, water, juice, milk, wine, and spirits.

Plant Based World Expo North America

September 24-25, New York City – United States

Expected participants : 3000

The only 100% plant-based trade show. It connects and empowers businesses within the global supply network to successfully develop, source and distribute plant-based products. Designed exclusively for food service professionals, retailers, distributors, buyers, brokers and non-profits.

Lunch Show

September 24-26, London – United Kingdom

Expected participants : 8000

This event focuses on the food and beverage industry, showcasing new food and beverage options, as well as technology. It is an essential gathering for professionals from cafes, sandwich shops and similar businesses to connect and discover new products.

Anuga

October 4-8, Cologne – Germany

Expected participants : 140000

Anuga is a premier trade fair for the food and beverage industry. It consistently attracts a record-breaking number of attendees and boasts a comprehensive exhibitor pool showcasing the entire food and beverage spectrum. This makes it a valuable platform for businesses of all sizes to connect with industry leaders, explore new market opportunities, and stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations.

Alles Für Den Gast

November 8-11, Salzburg – Austria

Expected participants : 35000

International event for the catering, hotel, and food industries. Exhibitors showcase products and services related to food and beverages, kitchen equipment, furnishings, hotel textiles, hygiene, IT, wellness, and more. The event also features a high-quality program with keynote speeches and discussions on current industry trends.

Plant Based World Expo Europe

November 12-13, London – United Kingdom

Expected participants : 4000

Nordic Organic Food Fair

November 12-13, Stockholm – Sweden

Expected participants : 3500

The Nordic Organic Food Fair is the largest trade event for certified organic food and drinks in the Nordic region. Now in its 11th year, it brings together trade buyers looking for the best organic products. The event features international pavilions, a start-up zone showcasing the latest innovations, and is co-located with Eco Living Scandinavia. With over 500 exhibitors, it’s a key event for professionals in the organic industry.

Organic & Natural

November 17-19, Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Expected participants : 20000

Middle East’s #1 B2B marketplace for organic and natural products. Brings together key players from five major sectors: Food & Beverage, Health, Beauty & Wellness, Agriculture & Environment and Sustainable Living. It serves as an essential platform for suppliers, exporters and importers to network, forge valuable partnerships and explore the latest trends in the Organic and Natural Products market.

Tech For Retail

November 24-25, Paris – France

Expected participants : 8000

Tech for Retail presents the latest advancements in retail technology, from AI-driven analytics to sustainable packaging, helping businesses understand and adopt innovations that improve customer experience and streamline retail operations.

Natexpo

November 30-December 2, Paris – France

Expected participants : 12000

France’s biggest trade show for organic, health food and ecological products. A strictly trade-only show, Natexpo reveals the newest organic trends emerging in a buoyant market and new products from buyers in all categories.

Food Ingredients Europe

December 2-4, Paris – France

Expected participants : 25000

Food Ingredients showcases a diverse range of ingredients, from natural and functional components to clean-label solutions, providing insights into ingredient trends and consumer demands shaping the food and beverage industry.

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Sandra Lafargue

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Venture Capital 2 weeks ago

Beyond fancy speaking slots: what VCs actually want from conferences

When I started working in VC, conferences were treated as a nice extra. Something you sprinkled on top of a sourcing strategy that lived elsewhere, often in a partner’s address book. Being an investor meant you mainly had to spend a few days out of the office per week for dealflow meetings, you attended the occasional panel slot if you had a friend on the programme team, shared a few tweets and that was it. But today conferences are part of the core marketing infrastructure that keeps the firm in the flow of founders, operators, LPs and peers. These events act as a pretext to re-engage with warm or cold leads, whether a fund is at the beginning of their investment cycle or deep in fundraising for their next flagship fund. Every tech city has its own flagship event. If you are a generalist VC, chances are you can easily identify 20 conferences that you are expected to show up at, and 40 that you could attend. So, where do you start? How do you really decide whether it’s a good reason to attend? Most investors only see the tip of the iceberg: the logo of the headline conference. They rarely see the resource constraints that come with executing the field work. That tension creates too familiar operational dramas for marketing teams, including last-minute “Where is my ticket?” message, partner demands for main-stage slots, and the flurry of FOMO driven interest because another prestigious fund has been announced as a partner. And yet, despite common belief, investors don’t attend conferences for the parties. When I look at the 100 plus conferences I have attended over my career, I tend to group the real reasons into 10 buckets. 1. Qualified dealflow Good conferences act as magnets. They pull in the startups that are relevant for a specific thesis, geography or stage. For generalist VCs, niche events are a way to see a concentrated sample of the market in two days. For more specialist firms, these events are a way to go deeper into a vertical, and to be visible in that niche. 2. On-the-shelf networking Conferences provide “on the shelf networking”: the infrastructure of meetings, lounges, apps and social events is already built. You simply step into it. For investors, that is valuable across several fronts: they can connect with founders and future founders, operators for senior hires, practical experts and LPs exploring new funds. 3. LPs and the (secret) permanent fundraise Most funds are always fundraising. Events that attract LPs are therefore particularly attractive. Even a handful of good LP conversations can justify several days out of the office, especially if this involves underground Berlin (Super Return) or a roundtrip to the French Riviera (IPEM). 4. Media relationships Some partners only have meaningful conversations with journalists at conferences, mainly because engaging with the media is not part of their day-to-day routine. For them, conferences provide an efficient way to concentrate press engagement in one place without having to pitch themselves. For marketers handling complex logistics across several markets, an event is often the one moment where the stars align. 5. Thesis signalling Good investors have local-based theses and want to attract dealflow consistently across several years, whether or not they have cash to invest. Attending Stockholm-based conferences is a way to say, “we are serious about the Nordics” without having to buy billboards in the airport (although some folks do exactly that). In that sense, VCs and event organizers are sometimes competing as community enablers. Both are trying to become the natural node for a given ecosystem. 6. Speaking and thought leadership Speaking slots are a form of social currency in venture – and comes with a few perks such as “speaker dinners”. Many partners enjoy being on stage and the status premium associated with it. I guess there’s a reason why some people are more interested in how they will look like on their Slush stage picture than what they are going to say. Beyond ego, speaking opportunities give VCs a platform to articulate their thesis, test a narrative in front of a live audience, and attract founders at the very top of the funnel. Some of the best inbound I have seen has come within a week of a talk. A founder who heard a line and followed up. A journalist who spotted a quote for a later story. Someone who waited backstage with a pitch. This is part of why VCs can be VERY intense about speaking slots. From their perspective, stage time is not simply a visibility perk. It is a key input into the marketing engine. 7. Curation Some conferences have a strong reputation for curation. You trust that if you turn up at TEDx, DLD, or similar events, you will be challenged and inspired. For investors who spend most of their year buried in spreadsheets, this is attractive. Alas, I think the content quality has nosedived these last couple of years so it’s less true. 8. Portfolio support Serious investors use conferences to help portfolio companies with commercial introductions, support them on talent hunting, offer stage visibility and access to LPs, journalists, and peers. When a portfolio company is having a big moment, everything else tends to rearrange around it. 9. IRL experiences Many VC franchises have grown used to operating digitally. What is often missing is a reliable in person interface for the broader community around the fund. Conferences solve this by using those moments to crystallise the community you are building. A simple breakfast, an LP catching up with several of your founders in one afternoon: these are small touches, but repeated over ten years they are part of how trust compounds. 10. Watching to competition Conferences are one of the few places where you can literally see how competitors behave with founders, with LPs, with the media and with each other. Who is always surrounded by founders. Who is quietly building a niche. Who is sponsoring heavily in a

Vincent Touati-Tomas

Fundraising 4 months ago

Rift raises €4.6M for aerial reconnaissance platform

Europe’s defence technology sector is witnessing unprecedented investment momentum, driven by shifting geopolitical realities and increasing demand for autonomous surveillance solutions. At the forefront of this transformation sits Rift, a Paris-based startup that has just secured €4.6 million in Series A funding to build Europe’s first on-demand aerial reconnaissance network. The round was led by AlleyCorp, the New York-based venture firm known for backing enterprise technology companies. This investment signals growing transatlantic interest in European defence tech capabilities, particularly as NATO allies prioritise technological sovereignty and autonomous reconnaissance systems. AlleyCorp leads aerial reconnaissance funding round AlleyCorp’s decision to lead this round reflects a broader strategic shift among US investors towards European defence technology startups. The firm, which has previously backed companies like MongoDB and Paperless Post, sees significant potential in Rift’s approach to democratising aerial intelligence gathering across civilian and military applications. “Rift’s technology addresses a critical gap in the European surveillance market,” noted a spokesperson from AlleyCorp. “Their ability to deploy on-demand reconnaissance missions using autonomous systems represents exactly the kind of dual-use innovation we expect to define the next decade of defence technology.” The investment comes at a time when European governments are accelerating defence technology procurement, with the EU’s European Defence Fund allocating €8 billion for collaborative defence research and development programmes. This regulatory tailwind positions Rift advantageously within a market expected to reach €24 billion by 2027. Building Europe’s autonomous surveillance network Rift’s platform combines advanced drone technology with artificial intelligence to provide real-time reconnaissance capabilities across multiple sectors. Unlike traditional surveillance methods that require significant infrastructure investment, the company’s on-demand model enables clients to access aerial intelligence through a software-as-a-service platform. The startup plans to use the funding to expand its autonomous fleet and enhance its AI-powered analytics capabilities. With operations currently focused on France and Germany, Rift aims to establish coverage across major European markets by 2026, positioning itself as the continent’s primary alternative to US-based surveillance providers. “European organisations need surveillance solutions that comply with GDPR and other regional privacy regulations,” explained Rift’s CEO. “Our platform is built from the ground up with European data sovereignty in mind, something that resonates strongly with both government and enterprise clients.” This funding positions Rift to compete directly with established players like Palantir and Anduril, whilst offering European clients the regulatory compliance and data localisation they increasingly demand. As defence technology becomes increasingly intertwined with civilian applications, Rift’s European-first approach may prove to be its strongest competitive advantage.

Stéphane Paillard

Fundraising 4 months ago

Delta Charge raises €3.7M for European energy grid solutions

Europe’s energy infrastructure is undergoing its most significant transformation since electrification began. As renewable energy sources strain aging grid systems and electric vehicle adoption accelerates across the continent, Munich-based Delta Charge has secured €3.7 million to address critical gaps in energy storage and distribution. The funding round, led by Vireo Ventures and Rethink Ventures, positions the startup to capitalise on Europe’s urgent need for battery energy storage systems (BESS) and grid modernisation solutions. This investment reflects growing European investor confidence in energy infrastructure startups as the EU accelerates its transition to renewable energy sources. With the European Green Deal mandating carbon neutrality by 2050, the timing couldn’t be more strategic for Delta Charge’s market entry. Energy infrastructure funding attracts European climate tech investors Vireo Ventures and Rethink Ventures bring complementary expertise to Delta Charge’s growth trajectory. Vireo Ventures, known for backing transformative European climate technologies, sees Delta Charge as addressing fundamental infrastructure challenges that traditional utilities struggle to solve efficiently. Meanwhile, Rethink Ventures’ portfolio focus on sustainable technology solutions aligns perfectly with the startup’s mission to optimise energy distribution networks. “We’re witnessing unprecedented strain on European energy grids as demand patterns shift dramatically,” explains a Vireo Ventures partner familiar with the investment decision. “Delta Charge’s approach to battery energy storage systems offers the scalability and intelligence that Europe needs to maintain grid stability while integrating renewable sources.” The investor combination signals strong European institutional support for energy infrastructure innovation. Both funds have demonstrated expertise in scaling climate tech companies across fragmented European markets, providing Delta Charge with strategic value beyond capital injection. BESS technology targets European grid modernisation Delta Charge’s battery energy storage systems address acute European challenges that differ significantly from other global markets. The continent’s diverse regulatory frameworks, varying grid infrastructures, and ambitious renewable targets create unique technical requirements. The company’s technology optimises energy storage placement and management across these complex, interconnected networks. The €3.7 million funding will accelerate product development specifically for European market conditions and support expansion across key markets including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Delta Charge plans to leverage regulatory tailwinds from the EU’s REPowerEU initiative, which prioritises energy independence and grid resilience investments. “European energy markets present both immense opportunity and distinct challenges,” notes Delta Charge’s leadership team. “Our BESS solutions are designed specifically for the regulatory complexity and infrastructure diversity that characterises European energy systems.” The startup’s technology addresses critical pain points including grid balancing during peak renewable generation periods and energy storage optimisation for commercial and industrial applications. With European electricity prices remaining volatile and grid stability concerns mounting, Delta Charge’s timing appears particularly astute. This funding round exemplifies the European venture capital community’s increasing focus on infrastructure-critical climate technologies. As European governments commit billions to energy transition initiatives, startups like Delta Charge are positioned to capture significant market opportunities whilst addressing urgent societal needs.

Stéphane Paillard

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Top Food & Beverages events for startups in 2025

Lunch Show

Sandra Lafargue

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