Nexture’s Generate Innovation Hub opens 2026 call for start-ups

Generate, the open innovation hub within global ingredients group Nexture, has launched its 2026 Open Call for Start-ups, inviting early‑stage food‑tech and ingredient‑tech companies to join a programme designed to accelerate next‑generation ingredient development.

Applications are open from now to 4 May 2026, with the initiative targeting breakthrough concepts across bakery, oils and texturisation, alternative carbohydrates and proteins, nutrition solutions and future‑proofing ingredients.

Generate describes itself as a platform that “sparks the creation of tomorrow’s food solutions thanks to collaborations with start-ups, peers and food companies” . The hub offers tailored 12–18‑month programmes giving selected startups access to application trials, advanced R&D facilities and commercial support across Nexture’s ecosystem, which includes CSM Ingredients, HIFOOD, Frulact, Vitalfood by Italcanditi, Comprital and Prodotti Rubicone. This structure enables participants to validate proofs of concept and scale innovations toward market‑ready status.

Emanuele Pizzigalli, chief innovation officer at Nexture, says the 2026 call reflects the group’s strategic priorities. “Through Generate, we aim to identify and partner with the most promising ingredient innovators tackling the key challenges of our industry,” he explains. “The 2026 Open Call reflects the strategic areas where we see the strongest need for transformation – from healthier formulations and advanced functionality to resilient supply chains and sustainable fat solutions” .

This year’s scouting and evaluation process will again be conducted with URIKA Partners, specialists in innovation strategy and venture building in the agri‑food and climate sectors.

Five focus areas for 2026

The Open Call centres on five technology domains aligned with Nexture’s long‑term innovation roadmap:

1. Bakery evolution – including advanced freshness and softness enzymes, and next‑generation gluten‑related technologies to improve texture, structure and nutritional profiles.
2. Oils & texturisation – solutions for palm oil replacement, laminated fats and novel lipid structuring technologies that enhance functionality, stability and sustainability.
3. Alternative carbs & proteins – fibre enrichment, highly digestible proteins, sugar‑reduction technologies, and cost‑effective bulking agents and high‑performance proteins and fibres for emulsifying, gelling and texturising.
4. Nutrition solutions – science‑backed approaches to metabolic health such as GLP‑1 boosting and low‑glycaemic formulations, alongside microbiome‑targeted and healthy‑ageing ingredients.
5. Future‑proofing ingredients – cocoa replacements, natural preservative systems, bioactive peptides and alternatives to potassium sorbate to support clean‑label stability.

Start-ups selected for the programme will join a growing community of innovators already collaborating with Generate, including Green‑On, Kokomodo, YEAP, PoLoPo, Ingrediome and ImaginDairy .

A growing global platform

Nexture, the Italian holding company behind Generate, brings together CSM Ingredients, the Italcanditi Group and Frulact, operating in more than 120 countries with 24 production plants and 20 innovation centres. The group aims to position itself as a key partner for food manufacturers by combining “artisanal heritage, technological know‑how, sustainability‑focus, and an extensive network” to meet evolving market needs .

With the 2026 Open Call now live, Generate is seeking bold, science‑driven start-ups ready to scale transformative ingredient solutions.

Applications remain open until 4 May 2026.