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DLG Frontier Food Systems Award

The international corporate award for agrifood innovation

The DLG Frontier Food Systems Award recognises companies that are shaping key future sectors of agrifood systems through innovative technologies
and business models.
The focus is on solutions from food tech, biotech, ingredient manufacturing, processing and packaging,
controlled environment agriculture, alternative proteins, novel foods and related fields of innovation.

Entries are assessed on the basis of innovative strength, market relevance, scalability and sustainability impact.
The top companies will present their solutions at the Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention in Hamburg
and gain access to industry decision-makers, investors and potential partners.

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What the DLG Frontier Food Systems Award stands for

The DLG Frontier Food Systems Award provides a platform for companies and visionaries worldwide who are shaping the future of our agri-food systems with innovative solutions. The focus is on approaches that open up new markets and make an effective contribution to a sustainable, resilient and resource-efficient food supply for the future.

The focus is on innovative solutions in FoodTech and Biotech, Ingredients, Food Processing & Manufacturing, Packaging, Controlled Environment Agriculture, alternative proteins, and Novel Food, as well as related fields of innovation.

Category 1: Early-stage start-ups


For young companies (< 5 years on the market) in an early stage of development and funding, with innovative technologies or business models and demonstrable market potential.

 

Category 2: Established companies – ‘scale-ups’


For companies (5–10 years in the market) with solutions that are already at an advanced stage, market-ready or in commercial use, and which have the potential for international expansion.

 

What does the DLG Frontier Food Systems Award offer?

What does the DLG Frontier Food Systems Award offer?


Prize money totalling 20,000 euros (10,000 euros in prize money per category)

International visibility for companies and solutions

Presentation to industry decision-makers, investors and potential partners

A live pitch at the Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention 2027

Access to the DLG’s international network 

Expert feedback from an independent panel of experts

New contacts for collaboration, investment and market development

Who can take part?

Who can take part?

 


Start-ups, scale-ups and established companies that are developing innovative technologies, products or business models for the agri-food systems of the future are eligible to take part.

Requirements:

  • clear relevance to the defined subject areas
  • a technologically and scientifically sound solution
  • recognisable market and scaling potential
  • a compelling unique selling point
  • A measurable or demonstrable contribution to sustainability and resource efficiency
  • Assignment to one of the two award categories

The DLG checks all submitted applications against the formal and technical eligibility criteria before forwarding them to the jury.

This is what the jury assesses

This is what the jury
 assesses


The assessment is based on clearly defined criteria:

  • Innovation: degree of novelty, technological quality, technical feasibility and scientific basis
  • Competitive advantage: unique selling points, expertise, intellectual property rights and technological barriers to entry
  • Market and scalability: business model, economic viability, market potential and international scalability
  • Sustainability and impact: contribution to saving energy, water, land or reducing emissions, as well as to the further development of sustainable agri-food systems


How to apply

Applications: 1 October 2026 – 15 January 2027


Apply online


You can apply via a short online form; the process takes just a few minutes.

 

Introducing the company
and its solution


Please provide the key company details, a brief elevator pitch, the unique selling point and a specific sustainability metric.

 


Upload your pitch deck


An existing pitch deck or one-pager is sufficient. A document created specifically for the award is not required.

 

Preliminary selection and
final


Following the technical assessment, a panel of experts will carry out the shortlisting process. The shortlisted companies will then present their solutions live in Hamburg.

 

Application form

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