Continuous scouting model aims to increase collaboration and speed-to-market for a more sustainable global food system
Rabobank, a global food and agribusiness bank, announced pivotal changes to its FoodBytes! innovation platform to drive greater sustainable innovation, collaboration for speed-to-market, and market responsiveness. Starting this year, FoodBytes!, Rabobank's discovery platform that champions cross-industry collaboration between the most promising startups, corporates and investors, will move beyond its annual pitch competition and expand to a continuous scouting model, with 15 startups selected to participate in programming every quarter.
Within the new model, FoodBytes! will also be streamlining the platform's sectors - agtech and food tech will now become the primary focus, while CPG startups will be encouraged to apply and participate if they have a defensible underlying technology or a novel supply chain innovation. The platform will also be introducing a new Beta digital hub that aims to continuously connect vetted startups with investors and corporate members in an effort to drive solution-based collaboration to improve future food systems.