DLG Opens Applications for the Frontier Food Systems Award 2027
Applications are invited from projects in food technology and biotechnology, ingredients, industrial food processing, packaging, controlled environment agriculture, alternative protein sources, and novel foods. For the dairy industry, the award may also be relevant to developers of ingredients, processing equipment, packaging solutions, and technologies designed to improve production efficiency.
Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2027. Companies must provide information about their operations, a short project pitch, a description of their unique value proposition, and at least one measurable sustainability metric.
The award includes two categories. Early Stage is intended for start-ups that have been operating for less than five years and are still at an early stage of development. The Scale-ups category is open to companies that have been established for five to ten years, offer market-ready solutions, and have the potential for international expansion.
The winner in each category will receive EUR 10,000, bringing the total prize fund for the two main categories to EUR 20,000.
Applications will be evaluated by an independent international jury. The main criteria will be innovation, competitive advantage, market and scaling potential, and the project’s contribution to sustainability and impact.
The experts will also consider the technological quality of the solutions, the business model, potential market size, prospects for international growth, and their contribution to reducing resource use and emissions.
The nominated companies will be announced in March 2027. Finalists will present their projects in live pitches on April 21–22, 2027, during the Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention in Hamburg.
According to DLG, the award has been created for projects capable of opening new markets and making a measurable contribution to building sustainable, efficient, and resilient food systems.
Applications can be submitted through the official Frontier Food Systems Award page.
