Makers of non-dairy milk and antioxidant-rich beverages are among the participants in the latest Food-X innovation accelerator programme.

For Cohort 10, Food-X reviewed nearly 500 applications from more than 50 countries before landing on eight start-ups from Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark and the US.

Half of the companies in the latest programme are led by female CEOs and 25% are minority-led or co-led.

“Food-X fosters new generations of entrepreneurs that bring innovative concepts to market. We equip them to create a more responsible and sustainable food future,” said Peter Bodenheimer, managing director and partner, Food-X.

“Health-conscious consumers are rising up and the food as medicine movement has arrived. 75% of Cohort 10 makes nutrition a top priority to help treat chronic disease, improve health, and increase quality of life. Our team is excited to work with these founders as they build businesses that will redefine the food system.”

Participants in Cohort 10:

AI Nutrition – an AI-powered precision nutrition platform that integrates with online grocers to automate the shopping experience

Bevv – an online marketplace and a logistics and e-commerce solution for craft breweries and cideries to reach consumers

Edi Health – a health and wellness marketplace featuring nutrient-dense ingredients

Farma Genetix – a start-up harnessing food as medicine to help cure chronic conditions through genetically tuned natural supplements and personalised diets

Hidden Gems Beverage Company – a venture offering antioxidant-rich ready-to-drink beverages made from upcycled ingredients

Millennia Tea – creator of a new variety of tea

YoFiit – a nutrition company offering plant-based solutions, including Miylk10 non-dairy milk made from chickpeas and flax

YourLocal – a food-rescue startup working with restaurants to offer surplus food through an app

Food-X aims to scale change in the food system by investing in early-stage entrepreneurs that are looking to solve the biggest global food challenges: health and wellness, sustainability, food safety, traceability, supply chain efficiency, and transparency.

The accelerator looks for start-ups within the traditional food value chain, such as production, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal, as well as those leveraging emerging technologies to transform the industry and those “prescribing” nutrition as part of the burgeoning food as medicine movement.

Food-X provides an intensive 3.5-month programme in New York City designed to empower the next generation of food innovators. The accelerator aims to helps these companies grow quickly and reach their potential via financial and human capital investments that span start-up capital, expert mentorship, and access to a global network of thought leaders, as well as a growing Food-X alumni community.

The scheme culminates with a capstone event: the opportunity to present the company to angel investors, venture capital funds and media.

The accelerator is currently accepting applications for its 11th cohort, which kicks off in the spring of 2020.