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Kristine Lucas
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The North American AgriFoodTech scene has had the loudest boom, which makes it the place where the Great Correction was felt the hardest. Forward Fooding’s 2025 FoodTech 500 whitepaper puts global AgriFoodTech investment down more than 70+% from its 2021 peak, with roughly $50 billion in capital wiped out across the sector since 2023. Vertical farms, plant-based meat brands, and cultivated protein ventures that raised hundreds of millions on both sides of the border were among the businesses that ran out of runway. The companies on last year’s list are the ones that stayed standing, and they did it by building around customers who were already willing to pay.
The picture that emerges is a region sorting itself out. Deep pools of venture capital, world-class research universities, and some of the largest agribusiness and food corporations on the planet still give North American founders resources few other regions can match. What has changed is what that capital is willing to back.
The FoodTech 500 is Forward Fooding’s flagship ranking of the most innovative startups and scaleups in AgriFoodTech. The 2025 edition drew over 1,200 applications from 87 countries. Of the 500 finalists, 105 companies are headquartered in North America, representing 21% of the list, almost identical to the 2024 edition (104 companies). The United States accounts for 88 of them, including the top three companies: Pairwise, Acres Farms, and MycoTechnology. Meanwhile, 17 companies hail from Canada.
This is also a cohort that has had to clear a higher bar. 96% of this year’s finalists have raised external funding, and 80% are already generating revenue, up from 74% in 2024. North America’s share of revenue-generating finalists is 83, while 102 are funded. Across the region, 72 finalists are returning alumni, and 33 are newcomers joining this year.
According to Forward Fooding’s FoodTech Data Navigator, which now tracks more than 30,000 ecosystem participants worldwide, North America is home to 3190+ AgriFoodTech startups and scaleups. Since 2016, the region has attracted approximately $138 in investment, with activity concentrated in Next-gen Food and Drinks & Agtech. In 2025, North American companies raised $12.7B, a 30% increase from 2024’s $9.7B. While far from the $33B at the 2022 peak, this year-to-year increase goes against what is being noticed at the global level.
The 2025 finalists are concentrated in two countries, each with its own strengths.
United States: With 88 finalists, the US is the largest single national contributor in the region and sits well ahead of any other country outside Europe’s combined total. Its finalists span Ag Biotech and Indoor Farming to Protein Fermentation, Food Waste Technology, and Kitchen Robotics.
The largest public catalyst of the year was the USDA $700 Million Pilot Program. This federal injection provided direct financing and corporate partnerships (leveraging giants like ADM, McCain, and Nestlé) to incentivize growers to adopt fenceless grazing, biologicals, and carbon-measurement software.
Canada: 17 Canadian finalists represent a smaller but highly specialized slice of the region’s innovation base. Canada has carved out strengths in Precision Agriculture, Biotech/Synthetisation, and Protein Fermentation.
Canada’s leadership in sustainable food infrastructure is significantly accelerated by targeted federal programs. Chief among these is Protein Industries Canada, which committed over CAD $89 million during the 2024–25 fiscal year exclusively to alternative protein research, domestic ingredient processing, and supply chain development.
Applications for the 2026 FoodTech 500 are open until 15 November. Read until the end to learn how to apply.
By tackling everything from circular waste to precision agriculture, these North American changemakers have rightfully claimed their spots on the 2025 FoodTech 500:
Pairwise (#1 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Leads the development of CRISPR gene-editing technology to make plants easier to grow and use.
80 Acres Farms (#2 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Operates large-scale indoor farms to supply sustainably grown, pesticide-free produce to restaurants and retailers.
MycoTechnology (#3 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Uses advanced fermentation technology to develop value-added ingredients.
Beewise (#13 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Insects farming & Aquaculture | Leverages AI and robotics to help reverse bee colony losses.
Terviva (#17 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Enables the production of low-cost, high-quality oils and proteins from pongamia.
Checkerspot (#19 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops technology to access a broad range of high-value fats and oils.
Hazel Technologies (#24 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops innovative storage and transport solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Biome Makers (#27 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Provides biological and functional soil intelligence.
BioConsortia (#28 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Harnesses the power of microbes to address global food needs.
The Better Meat Co. (#31 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Manufactures mycoprotein ingredients for business customers.
BlueNalu (#32 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops premium seafood through cellular agriculture.
ENKO (#33 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Uses AI and its ENKOMPASS
discovery platform to accelerate agricultural innovation.
Savor (#34 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Creates versatile, sustainable fats directly from carbon.
KETOS (#37 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides real-time water analytics and actionable insights for agricultural operations.
Helaina (#39 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Designs, manufactures, and sells human-identical bioactive proteins.
Courtesy: Helaina
Mori (#47 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Uses a natural silk-derived protein to help make food more resilient.
Lasso (#50 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipment | Develops clean, sustainable, nutritious food production technologies.
Chunk Foods (#53 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Manufactures and markets high-protein, clean-label, plant-based whole cuts.
Crisp (#55 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Retail tech | Connects food manufacturers to real-time point-of-sale and inventory data.
Babylon Micro-Farms (#56 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Designs, builds, and supports hydroponic micro-farms.
Silo (#57 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag marketplace | Provides produce distributors, growers, and packer-shippers with marketplace technology.
Miso Robotics (#61 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops AI-powered kitchen automation solutions.
Agtools (#72 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides worldwide real-time data and analytics for perishable food supply chains.
Michroma (#77 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops next-generation food dyes from mushrooms.
Koidra (#81 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Helps growers operate smarter greenhouses using AI-driven climate and irrigation management.
RegulateCPG (#86 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food safety & Quality | Empowers businesses of all sizes with AI-driven regulatory compliance solutions.
Square Roots (#90 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Uses a modular indoor farming platform to accelerate food production.
Edible Garden (#91 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Provides sustainably grown and produced fresh herbs, condiments, and other products.
Crush Dynamics (#92 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Upcycled ingredients, Food surplus & Waste efficiency | Transforms polyphenol-rich agricultural side streams into marketable ingredients.
Fork Farms (#93 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Empowers communities to grow fresh, hyperlocal food year-round.
Courtesy: Fork Farms
SWAT MAPS (#95 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides precision agriculture services.
Relocalize (#105 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipments | Builds autonomous micro-factories that localize packaged food production.
Spoiler Alert (#106 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Helps consumer packaged goods companies manage slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
Area 2 Farms (#111 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Designs, builds, and supports a network of local, organized farms.
Oshi (#112 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Creates plant-based salmon designed to replicate the taste and texture of real salmon.
Verdi (#117 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Builds physical AI infrastructure for farms, starting with irrigation systems.
Journey Foods (#119 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipment | Uses an AI platform to modernize ingredient and supply chain management.
Ryp Labs (#126 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops food-safe stickers and other biomimicry-based solutions to reduce food waste.
Atarraya (#129 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Insects farming & Aquaculture | Revolutionizes shrimp farming through its Shrimpbox Air technology.
Otrafy (#131 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain management & traceability | Uses an AI-powered platform to automate supplier monitoring and documentation.
Metafoodx (#137 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops AI-powered food technology to help commercial kitchens reduce food waste.
Map My Crop (#138 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Uses satellite-based technology to support smallholder and enterprise agriculture.
UfarmX (#140 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Expands African farmers’ access to credit without collateral.
Puna Bio (#142 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops biological agricultural inputs that increase yields and reduce carbon emissions.
SideChef (#145 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Discovery/Recipe & Experiences | Provides personalized shoppable recipe apps and meal-planning solutions.
Courtesy: Pubinno
Pubinno (#146 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops smart, sustainable draft-beverage technologies, including smart taps.
Livestock Water Recycling (#149 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm robotics & Machinery | Transforms livestock waste into reusable water through AI-optimized manure-to-water technology.
Nortian (#152 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Upcycled ingredients, Food surplus & Waste efficiency | Develops ultra-pure collagen ingredients using biotechnology.
Climate Candy (#161 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Upcycled ingredients, Food surplus & Waste efficiency | Helps the food industry reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes.
AgriCapture (#167 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag marketplace | Generates high-integrity agricultural carbon credits and certificates.
Instacrops (#172 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Converts sensor data into AI-powered insights that help farmers make better decisions.
Avalo (#174 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Combines evolutionary biology with interpretable machine learning to advance crop development.
Akorn Technology (#180 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops natural post-harvest solutions that protect fresh produce.
Solena AG (#187 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops a data-driven operating system for agriculture.
IUNU (#189 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Uses AI insights to transform greenhouse growing operations.
Aniai (#204 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops automated kitchen equipment for commercial kitchens.
Mi Terro (#205 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Sustainable packaging & Plastic alternatives | Converts agricultural waste into alternatives to microplastic-containing materials.
Space Ag (#213 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides AI-powered precision agriculture solutions.
Bioeutectics (#215 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops natural eutectic technology to create innovative ingredients.
Guac (#217 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Uses AI to predict grocery sales and help retailers manage inventory.
Courtesy: Maia Farms
Maia Farms (#247 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Creates nutrient-rich, clean-label ingredients from oyster mushrooms.
Vivid Machines (#248 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Uses AI-powered cameras to provide fruit growers with precise, real-time insights.
High Time Foods (#255 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Produces tasty, nutritious, and affordable plant-based proteins.
Agmatix (#260 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Builds a digital twin of agriculture to support more sustainable farming.
Oceanfarmr (#269 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Insects farming & Aquaculture | Finances oyster farming equipment through a data-driven software platform.
ClearLeaf (#274 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops patented, organically certified agricultural technology.
Ayana Bio (#279 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Uses plant cell culture instead of traditional agriculture to produce health-focused ingredients.
Biofect Innovations (#282 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Uses synthetic biology and fermentation technology to develop innovative ingredients.
BEAM CropTech (#283 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Enhances plant physiology through agricultural biotechnology.
ClearCOGS (#284 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Restaurant operations management & POS systems | Uses AI-powered forecasting to transform restaurant data into operational insights.
Boomitra (#285 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Partners with farmers and ranchers to improve agricultural sustainability through climate technology.
Terra Bioindustries (#292 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Upcycles spent brewer’s and distiller’s grains into valuable products.
SynergySuite (#299 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Restaurant operations management & POS systems | Helps multi-unit restaurant brands increase profitability and manage operations.
Edamam (#301 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Meal planning & Nutrition | Provides software and data services for food, nutrition, and recipe information.
Mikuna (#304 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Produces chocho, a plant-based protein source.
Courtesy: Mikuna
Gaia Software (#310 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Restaurant operations management & POS systems | Uses AI to streamline back-of-house and point-of-sale operations for schools and foodservice businesses.
The Mushroom Meat Co. (#312 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Advances mushroom-based foods by positioning fungi as a central source of nutrition.
Fotortec (#313 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Upcycles vegetable side streams into mushroom-based products.
Unibaio (#321 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Helps agricultural companies scale regenerative farming practices.
ZeaKal (#329 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops plant traits that help crops capture more carbon.
Soiltech Wireless (#330 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Develops hardware and software to improve connectivity across the food supply chain.
Starfish (#333 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain monitoring & traceability | Powers food supply chains through a neutral data-sharing network.
Nectar (#335 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Animal health & Nutrition | Builds a digital operating system for the beekeeping industry.
AtmoCooling (#344 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Builds evaporative cooling systems that use saline and brine water.
Harmony Baby Nutrition (#358 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Develops infant nutrition products for sensitive and allergic infants.
UnReal Milk (#383 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops whole milk without cows.
Novel Farms (#389 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops sustainable, sterile meat ingredients to replace conventional animal-derived ingredients.
Smart Food Safe (#390 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain monitoring & traceability | Equips businesses with intuitive, compliance-focused software.
Izote Biosciences (#392 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Uses anaerobic biomanufacturing to produce modern ingredients.
Heritable Agriculture (#405 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Applies AI, crop breeding, and biotechnology across agricultural crops and growing environments.
Courtesy: Tensorfield Agriculture
Tensorfield Agriculture (#423 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm robotics & Machinery | Builds AI-powered robotics to automate crop care.
Index Biosystems (#433 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain monitoring & traceability | Creates DNA-labelled BioTags® for product identification and traceability.
Stor (#443 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Appliances | Develops technology that helps fresh food last longer.
Seven Summits Snacks (#448 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Functional food & drinks | Develops functional foods and drinks by combining snacking with nutritional benefits.
Vexxel (#452 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops smart, biodegradable protein nanocapsules with integrated biosensing capabilities.
XRobotics (#459 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops the XPizza Cube robot to automate pizza topping.
New Protein Global (#463 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Develops BioPur
, a solvent-free protein extrusion technology.
Day 8 (#465 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Upcycles unused crop leaves to create sustainable, high-quality Rubisco protein.
Opalia (#470 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops dairy alternatives to support a more sustainable food system.
GTF Technologies (#476 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipment | Reduces waste, improves environmental outcomes, and supports more sustainable food production.
Xylome (#477 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Uses precision fermentation to create sustainable oils.
Knead Technologies (#482 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Provides an all-in-one logistics platform designed for food businesses.
Careit (#483 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Provides food donation and rescue software that makes surplus food easier to redistribute.
Liven (#485 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Uses precision fermentation to create sustainable, bioactive ingredients.
Future Biome (#491 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Meal replacements & Supplements | Develops potent prebiotic fiber ingredients using precision fermentation.
The Great Correction has hit this region directly, and founders here are working with far less capital than they could raise a few years ago.
The AgriFoodTech industry could be splitting into two paths. One belongs to capital-efficient builders who put revenue first and reach profitability on grants, strategic partnerships, and smaller rounds. The other belongs to a short list of capital-intensive deep-tech companies with breakthrough IP. North America has room for both, thanks to a venture ecosystem that can still write large checks for the right science and a corporate base with real appetite for ingredients, inputs, and technology that fit into existing supply chains.
The founders on this list already operate with that logic. Fundraising remains the top challenge finalists report worldwide, which is why the businesses that pair strong technology with paying customers are the ones standing out.
The 105 North American companies in the 2025 FoodTech 500 show a region that has absorbed the hardest lessons of the last four years. Whether that leads to a quicker recovery than elsewhere is still an open question, but the companies on this list have given themselves a strong starting position.
Make your mark on the future of food! The Forward Fooding 2026 FoodTech 500 is still accepting applications from industry changemakers. Applications are open until 15 November. APPLY NOW!
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The picture that emerges is a region sorting itself out. Deep pools of venture capital, world-class research universities, and some of the largest agribusiness and food corporations on the planet still give North American founders resources few other regions can match. What has changed is what that capital is willing to back.
How Many North American Startups Made Last Year’s FoodTech 500?
The FoodTech 500 is Forward Fooding’s flagship ranking of the most innovative startups and scaleups in AgriFoodTech. The 2025 edition drew over 1,200 applications from 87 countries. Of the 500 finalists, 105 companies are headquartered in North America, representing 21% of the list, almost identical to the 2024 edition (104 companies). The United States accounts for 88 of them, including the top three companies: Pairwise, Acres Farms, and MycoTechnology. Meanwhile, 17 companies hail from Canada.
This is also a cohort that has had to clear a higher bar. 96% of this year’s finalists have raised external funding, and 80% are already generating revenue, up from 74% in 2024. North America’s share of revenue-generating finalists is 83, while 102 are funded. Across the region, 72 finalists are returning alumni, and 33 are newcomers joining this year.
How Is North American AgriFoodTech Funding Held Up in 2025?
According to Forward Fooding’s FoodTech Data Navigator, which now tracks more than 30,000 ecosystem participants worldwide, North America is home to 3190+ AgriFoodTech startups and scaleups. Since 2016, the region has attracted approximately $138 in investment, with activity concentrated in Next-gen Food and Drinks & Agtech. In 2025, North American companies raised $12.7B, a 30% increase from 2024’s $9.7B. While far from the $33B at the 2022 peak, this year-to-year increase goes against what is being noticed at the global level.
Where Is North America’s Food Tech Innovation Coming From?
The 2025 finalists are concentrated in two countries, each with its own strengths.
United States: With 88 finalists, the US is the largest single national contributor in the region and sits well ahead of any other country outside Europe’s combined total. Its finalists span Ag Biotech and Indoor Farming to Protein Fermentation, Food Waste Technology, and Kitchen Robotics.
The largest public catalyst of the year was the USDA $700 Million Pilot Program. This federal injection provided direct financing and corporate partnerships (leveraging giants like ADM, McCain, and Nestlé) to incentivize growers to adopt fenceless grazing, biologicals, and carbon-measurement software.
Canada: 17 Canadian finalists represent a smaller but highly specialized slice of the region’s innovation base. Canada has carved out strengths in Precision Agriculture, Biotech/Synthetisation, and Protein Fermentation.
Canada’s leadership in sustainable food infrastructure is significantly accelerated by targeted federal programs. Chief among these is Protein Industries Canada, which committed over CAD $89 million during the 2024–25 fiscal year exclusively to alternative protein research, domestic ingredient processing, and supply chain development.
Applications for the 2026 FoodTech 500 are open until 15 November. Read until the end to learn how to apply.Meet the North American Finalists in the 2025 FoodTech 500
By tackling everything from circular waste to precision agriculture, these North American changemakers have rightfully claimed their spots on the 2025 FoodTech 500:
Pairwise (#1 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Leads the development of CRISPR gene-editing technology to make plants easier to grow and use.
80 Acres Farms (#2 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Operates large-scale indoor farms to supply sustainably grown, pesticide-free produce to restaurants and retailers.
MycoTechnology (#3 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Uses advanced fermentation technology to develop value-added ingredients.
Beewise (#13 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Insects farming & Aquaculture | Leverages AI and robotics to help reverse bee colony losses.
Terviva (#17 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Enables the production of low-cost, high-quality oils and proteins from pongamia.
Checkerspot (#19 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops technology to access a broad range of high-value fats and oils.
Hazel Technologies (#24 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops innovative storage and transport solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Biome Makers (#27 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Provides biological and functional soil intelligence.
BioConsortia (#28 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Harnesses the power of microbes to address global food needs.
The Better Meat Co. (#31 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Manufactures mycoprotein ingredients for business customers.
BlueNalu (#32 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops premium seafood through cellular agriculture.
ENKO (#33 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Uses AI and its ENKOMPASS
Savor (#34 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Creates versatile, sustainable fats directly from carbon.
KETOS (#37 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides real-time water analytics and actionable insights for agricultural operations.
Helaina (#39 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Designs, manufactures, and sells human-identical bioactive proteins.
Mori (#47 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Uses a natural silk-derived protein to help make food more resilient.
Lasso (#50 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipment | Develops clean, sustainable, nutritious food production technologies.
Chunk Foods (#53 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Manufactures and markets high-protein, clean-label, plant-based whole cuts.
Crisp (#55 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Retail tech | Connects food manufacturers to real-time point-of-sale and inventory data.
Babylon Micro-Farms (#56 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Designs, builds, and supports hydroponic micro-farms.
Silo (#57 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag marketplace | Provides produce distributors, growers, and packer-shippers with marketplace technology.
Miso Robotics (#61 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops AI-powered kitchen automation solutions.
Agtools (#72 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides worldwide real-time data and analytics for perishable food supply chains.
Michroma (#77 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops next-generation food dyes from mushrooms.
Koidra (#81 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Helps growers operate smarter greenhouses using AI-driven climate and irrigation management.
RegulateCPG (#86 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food safety & Quality | Empowers businesses of all sizes with AI-driven regulatory compliance solutions.
Square Roots (#90 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Uses a modular indoor farming platform to accelerate food production.
Edible Garden (#91 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Provides sustainably grown and produced fresh herbs, condiments, and other products.
Crush Dynamics (#92 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Upcycled ingredients, Food surplus & Waste efficiency | Transforms polyphenol-rich agricultural side streams into marketable ingredients.
Fork Farms (#93 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Empowers communities to grow fresh, hyperlocal food year-round.
SWAT MAPS (#95 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides precision agriculture services.
Relocalize (#105 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipments | Builds autonomous micro-factories that localize packaged food production.
Spoiler Alert (#106 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Helps consumer packaged goods companies manage slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
Area 2 Farms (#111 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Designs, builds, and supports a network of local, organized farms.
Oshi (#112 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Creates plant-based salmon designed to replicate the taste and texture of real salmon.
Verdi (#117 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Builds physical AI infrastructure for farms, starting with irrigation systems.
Journey Foods (#119 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipment | Uses an AI platform to modernize ingredient and supply chain management.
Ryp Labs (#126 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops food-safe stickers and other biomimicry-based solutions to reduce food waste.
Atarraya (#129 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Insects farming & Aquaculture | Revolutionizes shrimp farming through its Shrimpbox Air technology.
Otrafy (#131 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain management & traceability | Uses an AI-powered platform to automate supplier monitoring and documentation.
Metafoodx (#137 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops AI-powered food technology to help commercial kitchens reduce food waste.
Map My Crop (#138 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Uses satellite-based technology to support smallholder and enterprise agriculture.
UfarmX (#140 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Expands African farmers’ access to credit without collateral.
Puna Bio (#142 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops biological agricultural inputs that increase yields and reduce carbon emissions.
SideChef (#145 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Discovery/Recipe & Experiences | Provides personalized shoppable recipe apps and meal-planning solutions.
Pubinno (#146 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops smart, sustainable draft-beverage technologies, including smart taps.
Livestock Water Recycling (#149 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm robotics & Machinery | Transforms livestock waste into reusable water through AI-optimized manure-to-water technology.
Nortian (#152 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Upcycled ingredients, Food surplus & Waste efficiency | Develops ultra-pure collagen ingredients using biotechnology.
Climate Candy (#161 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Upcycled ingredients, Food surplus & Waste efficiency | Helps the food industry reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes.
AgriCapture (#167 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag marketplace | Generates high-integrity agricultural carbon credits and certificates.
Instacrops (#172 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Converts sensor data into AI-powered insights that help farmers make better decisions.
Avalo (#174 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Combines evolutionary biology with interpretable machine learning to advance crop development.
Akorn Technology (#180 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Develops natural post-harvest solutions that protect fresh produce.
Solena AG (#187 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops a data-driven operating system for agriculture.
IUNU (#189 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Vertical & Indoor farming | Uses AI insights to transform greenhouse growing operations.
Aniai (#204 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops automated kitchen equipment for commercial kitchens.
Mi Terro (#205 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Sustainable packaging & Plastic alternatives | Converts agricultural waste into alternatives to microplastic-containing materials.
Space Ag (#213 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Provides AI-powered precision agriculture solutions.
Bioeutectics (#215 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops natural eutectic technology to create innovative ingredients.
Guac (#217 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Uses AI to predict grocery sales and help retailers manage inventory.
Maia Farms (#247 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Creates nutrient-rich, clean-label ingredients from oyster mushrooms.
Vivid Machines (#248 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Uses AI-powered cameras to provide fruit growers with precise, real-time insights.
High Time Foods (#255 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Produces tasty, nutritious, and affordable plant-based proteins.
Agmatix (#260 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Builds a digital twin of agriculture to support more sustainable farming.
Oceanfarmr (#269 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Insects farming & Aquaculture | Finances oyster farming equipment through a data-driven software platform.
ClearLeaf (#274 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops patented, organically certified agricultural technology.
Ayana Bio (#279 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Uses plant cell culture instead of traditional agriculture to produce health-focused ingredients.
Biofect Innovations (#282 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Uses synthetic biology and fermentation technology to develop innovative ingredients.
BEAM CropTech (#283 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Enhances plant physiology through agricultural biotechnology.
ClearCOGS (#284 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Restaurant operations management & POS systems | Uses AI-powered forecasting to transform restaurant data into operational insights.
Boomitra (#285 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Partners with farmers and ranchers to improve agricultural sustainability through climate technology.
Terra Bioindustries (#292 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Upcycles spent brewer’s and distiller’s grains into valuable products.
SynergySuite (#299 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Restaurant operations management & POS systems | Helps multi-unit restaurant brands increase profitability and manage operations.
Edamam (#301 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Meal planning & Nutrition | Provides software and data services for food, nutrition, and recipe information.
Mikuna (#304 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Produces chocho, a plant-based protein source.
Gaia Software (#310 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Restaurant operations management & POS systems | Uses AI to streamline back-of-house and point-of-sale operations for schools and foodservice businesses.
The Mushroom Meat Co. (#312 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Advances mushroom-based foods by positioning fungi as a central source of nutrition.
Fotortec (#313 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Upcycles vegetable side streams into mushroom-based products.
Unibaio (#321 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Helps agricultural companies scale regenerative farming practices.
ZeaKal (#329 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Develops plant traits that help crops capture more carbon.
Soiltech Wireless (#330 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Develops hardware and software to improve connectivity across the food supply chain.
Starfish (#333 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain monitoring & traceability | Powers food supply chains through a neutral data-sharing network.
Nectar (#335 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Animal health & Nutrition | Builds a digital operating system for the beekeeping industry.
AtmoCooling (#344 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm management & Precision farming | Builds evaporative cooling systems that use saline and brine water.
Harmony Baby Nutrition (#358 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Develops infant nutrition products for sensitive and allergic infants.
UnReal Milk (#383 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops whole milk without cows.
Novel Farms (#389 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops sustainable, sterile meat ingredients to replace conventional animal-derived ingredients.
Smart Food Safe (#390 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain monitoring & traceability | Equips businesses with intuitive, compliance-focused software.
Izote Biosciences (#392 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Uses anaerobic biomanufacturing to produce modern ingredients.
Heritable Agriculture (#405 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Ag Biotech | Applies AI, crop breeding, and biotechnology across agricultural crops and growing environments.
Tensorfield Agriculture (#423 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Farm robotics & Machinery | Builds AI-powered robotics to automate crop care.
Index Biosystems (#433 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Supply chain monitoring & traceability | Creates DNA-labelled BioTags® for product identification and traceability.
Stor (#443 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Appliances | Develops technology that helps fresh food last longer.
Seven Summits Snacks (#448 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Functional food & drinks | Develops functional foods and drinks by combining snacking with nutritional benefits.
Vexxel (#452 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Biotech/Synthetisation | Develops smart, biodegradable protein nanocapsules with integrated biosensing capabilities.
XRobotics (#459 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Commercial robotics & Hardware | Develops the XPizza Cube robot to automate pizza topping.
New Protein Global (#463 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Develops BioPur
Day 8 (#465 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Plant-based | Upcycles unused crop leaves to create sustainable, high-quality Rubisco protein.
Opalia (#470 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Cellular agriculture | Develops dairy alternatives to support a more sustainable food system.
GTF Technologies (#476 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Novel food processing techniques & Equipment | Reduces waste, improves environmental outcomes, and supports more sustainable food production.
Xylome (#477 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Uses precision fermentation to create sustainable oils.
Knead Technologies (#482 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Provides an all-in-one logistics platform designed for food businesses.
Careit (#483 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Food Waste Tech & Food sharing platforms | Provides food donation and rescue software that makes surplus food easier to redistribute.
Liven (#485 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Protein fermentation | Uses precision fermentation to create sustainable, bioactive ingredients.
Future Biome (#491 in the 2025 FoodTech 500) | Meal replacements & Supplements | Develops potent prebiotic fiber ingredients using precision fermentation.
What Comes Next for North American AgriFoodTech?
The Great Correction has hit this region directly, and founders here are working with far less capital than they could raise a few years ago.
The AgriFoodTech industry could be splitting into two paths. One belongs to capital-efficient builders who put revenue first and reach profitability on grants, strategic partnerships, and smaller rounds. The other belongs to a short list of capital-intensive deep-tech companies with breakthrough IP. North America has room for both, thanks to a venture ecosystem that can still write large checks for the right science and a corporate base with real appetite for ingredients, inputs, and technology that fit into existing supply chains.
The founders on this list already operate with that logic. Fundraising remains the top challenge finalists report worldwide, which is why the businesses that pair strong technology with paying customers are the ones standing out.
The 105 North American companies in the 2025 FoodTech 500 show a region that has absorbed the hardest lessons of the last four years. Whether that leads to a quicker recovery than elsewhere is still an open question, but the companies on this list have given themselves a strong starting position.
Be One of the 2026 FoodTech 500 Finalists
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