Igeho Rising Star 2025: Public Voting

Market Challenge

In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are seeking food and beverages that support their well-being. Functional drinks, such as “vitamin water,” are gaining popularity for their health benefits. Among them, energy drinks remain the most well-known. To give an idea of the market size, in 2019 alone, 100 million cans of the most famous energy drink were sold in Switzerland (Addiction Suisse). 

However, these drinks often contain a chemical mix of vitamins and high levels of sugar. Today, consumers are looking for a natural, tastier, and locally sourced alternative.

Solution

At Actidot, we revolutionize functional drinks by combining Swiss medicinal plants, natural micro-nutrition, and cutting-edge FoodTech to create 100% plant-based with natural vitamins, and science-backed alternative. Unlike conventional functional drinks filled with synthetic ingredients, our beverages harness the power of plants and local sourced ingredients like Swiss Alpine plants to deliver natural health benefits without compromising on taste. 

Actidot offers a delicious, natural way to fuel your well-being. Our drinks and shots “Energy, Digestive, and Recovery” combine Alpine plants, natural vitamins, and an amazing taste experience.

More information: www.actidot.ch

Market Challenge

Market Challenge

Today, production and industry in the food sector are lacking B2B solutions for avoiding food waste and food loss along supply chains. This not only results in a waste of resources and therefore an environmental impact, but also places an economic burden on companies due to efficiency losses, write-offs of goods and excessive disposal and storage costs. To adopt a proactive and sustainable approach, companies need a systemic basis that provides them with information on available goods, access to suitable partners and the necessary expertise.

Solution

The core of Circunis is a digital marketplace: companies list their surplus goods with necessary specifications, their peers search and filter according to their criteria and find suitable products or raw materials for their needs at advantageous purchasing conditions. This is complemented by a range of services that enable and support companies to develop proactive surplus management. Circunis forms the first transparent, systemic basis for tapping into food surpluses in the B2B sector for the entire value chain and independent of labels.

More information: www.circunis.ch

Market Challenge

The food service industry faces increasing pressure to provide healthy, sustainable meals, while struggling with unclear standards, lack of transparency, and difficulty in guiding consumers toward better choices. Without the right tools and the ability to create space within existing business models that generate financial benefits or improve operational efficiency, they miss opportunities to align with sustainability goals, optimize their food offerings, and engage customers as well as chefs in meaningful ways.

Solution

FOOD2050 empowers food service businesses with data-driven solutions to measure, improve, and communicate the health and sustainability impact of their meals. By integrating science-based frameworks with practical tools, it helps caterers and restaurants create better food offerings, meet sustainability targets, and enhance consumer engagement at scale. Additionally, FOOD2050 drives operational efficiency, reducing waste and costs, while strengthening brand value by positioning businesses as leaders in health and sustainability.

More information: www.food2050.ch

Market Challenge

Our complex and anonymous value chains cause a disconnect between people and food, contributing significantly to food waste, health issues and the overuse of our natural and societal resources.

In addition, climatic events, new regulatory requirements and logistics imbalances drive supply/demand gaps and increased commodity price volatility, thereby putting pressure on HORECA sourcing activities and consumer choices.

Solution

At Foodflows, we offer farm-to-table purchases from a progressive Brazilian growers collective: no trade, no shortcuts – just pure authenticity and quality.

We elevate established food value chains like coffee beans and avocado while adding innovative ones such as upcycled coffee cherries or melipona honey.

Our virtual community aims for collective diversification and reduces the exposure to commodity market swings through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Food scouting and consulting services complete our offer.

More information: www.foodflows.xyz

Market Challenge

Today’s “mental athletes”– professionals and students balancing high-pressure lifestyles – face fatigue, stress, and lack of focus, impacting both cognitive performance and mental wellbeing. The demand for cognitive endurance is growing, yet existing options like coffee, pills, and energy drinks are often unhealthy, cause crashes or fail to deliver real immediate results. This signals a clear need for smarter, science-backed nutrition to sustain and optimize brain function without highs, lows, or compromise.

Solution

FoodFor develops functional 60ml shots designed to enhance cognitive performance and mental wellbeing. By providing the brain with a precisely dosed nutrients, the shots support the production of key neurotransmitters:

• Focus – Supports dopamine for concentration
• Boost – Enhances ATP for sustained energy 
• Euphoria – Targets serotonin to support mood 
• Calm – Supports GABA for calmness

All shots are sugar-free, vegetarian/vegan, backed by neuroscience, and deliver noticeable immediate effects — without highs, crashes, or nervous side effects.

More information: www.foodfor.ch

Market Challenge

In the gastronomy sector, unpredictable demand leads to frequent overproduction, causing high losses and unnecessary food waste. Traditional forecasting methods are often unreliable and complex, and selling surplus food last-minute is complicated and inaccessible. At the same time, rising sustainability expectations and regulatory pressures add to the challenge, while staff shortages make waste management an extra burden many businesses struggle to handle.

Solution

GoNina’s AI-driven forecasting achieves 90% accuracy, helping gastronomy businesses produce just the right amount. If surplus still remains, our seamless surplus market platform ensures it reaches consumers instead of going to waste. This way, businesses reduce food waste, increase revenue, and meet sustainability goals – without extra effort. GoNina turns excess into opportunity while making sure great food gets enjoyed, not discarded.

More information: www.gonina.com

Market Challenge

Today, ¹/₃ of all food is thrown away, while one person in 10 already goes hungry every day. The population continues to grow while we actively destroy the natural ecosystems that feed us. Food security is therefore under threat and our ecosystems are under pressure. Insects are a solution to these major challenges. At Hexafed, we see their potential in serving as animal feed so as not to disrupt eating habits, and as fertiliser to support soils.

Solution

Insects have the superpower to transform organic waste into new raw materials that can be fed back into the food chain, in the form of fodder proteins and fertilisers that stimulate crops and soils, thereby contributing to food security while preserving ecosystems. They can be reared off farmland, so do not compete with open-field food production. Recycling farms can be set up in each region to minimise the transport of materials.

More information: www.hexafed.com

Market Challenge

Around 4.5 million coffees are consumed daily on the go or at work in Switzerland. As a result, the consumption of ready-to-drink cold coffee increases every year. Yet, most of them are not recyclable and are made with cow’s milk from intensive farming. The plant-based versions, on the other hand, are full of processed ingredients and loaded with sugar. At the same time, the demand for healthy and vegan products is growing.

Solution

LOVYÜ is Switzerland’s first 100% natural and plant-based ready-to-drink cold coffee, made with a maximum of fair-trade and organic ingredients. Sugar has been replaced with fresh dates to promote well-being and enhance indulgence. The oat milk, made in-house by LOVYÜ, comes from a local producer. All of this creates a delicious blend that brings a smile, packaged in a fun and eco-friendly container. A tasty and committed drink that makes you smile with every sip.

More information: www.lovyu.ch

Market Challenge

Food manufacturers are under increasing pressure to provide their customers with sustainability data and actively reduce CO² emissions. Existing solutions are slow and expensive. Many companies struggle to understand where their emissions are coming from and how they can effectively reduce them. Niatsu offers an efficient and automated solution to help manufacturers track their carbon impact and make strategic decisions to meet their customers' expectations and remain competitive.

Solution

Niatsu offers a platform that automatically converts food specifications into CO² data. By analyzing sourcing, origin, packaging and process, we identify key levers for reducing emissions. Niatsu enables manufacturers to take targeted measures, optimize supply chains and switch to lower-carbon production. Niatsu helps you to be more sustainable and meet your customers' requirements.

More information: www.niatsu.com

Market Challenge

Gut health is crucial for overall well-being, but many people struggle to find a simple, enjoyable way to support it. Most probiotic drinks are either packed with sugar, require refrigeration, or come with a taste that doesn’t quite hit the spot. With so many options that don’t meet people’s needs, there’s a real gap in the market for a refreshing, convenient, and balanced beverage that makes gut health easy and accessible.

Solution

Saya Suka is a synbiotic water that combines the benefits of prebiotics and postbiotics, offering a powerful yet gentle way to support gut health. We’ve created a drink that’s not only delicious and lightly sweetened, free from artificial sweeteners, but also shelf-stable, so it’s easy to take on the go. Whether you're at work, the gym, or traveling, you can enjoy a refreshing, gut-friendly drink that supports your microbiome with every sip. It’s a drink that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle, helping you feel good inside and out.

More information: www.sayasuka-water.com

Market Challenge

We have long relied on imported exotic foods, but it is now essential to replace them with locally sourced alternatives. By combining traditional Japanese fermentation techniques with Swiss ingredients, our mission is to provide locally sourced Japanese condiments, MISO, that meet the demands for sustainability, authenticity, and cater to the growing vegan and health-conscious population. 

Solution

Market Challenge

The modern food system prioritizes yield over nutrition, leading to highly processed grains with reduced health benefits and poor digestibility. Consumers increasingly seek healthier, more sustainable alternatives, yet options remain limited. TrueFoods revives ancient wheat varieties, offering naturally nutrient-rich, better-tolerated products while supporting biodiversity and ethical farming. 

Solution

TrueFoods reintroduces ancient wheat varieties, naturally rich in nutrients and easier to digest, as a sustainable alternative to modern, over-processed grains. Our products, from pasta to flour, offer better health benefits while preserving biodiversity and supporting ethical farming. By combining tradition with innovation, we provide a real solution for consumers seeking healthier, high-quality foods with full traceability and sustainability at their core. 

More information: www.truefoods.ch

Market Challenge

The Growing Need for Better Plant-Based Alternatives
The global demand for plant-based products is rising due to concerns about animal welfare, sustainability, and health. While traditional vegan foods like tofu and seitan have existed for decades, they often lack flavor and convenience. Meanwhile, plant-based meats fail to satisfy consumers as they rely on ultra-processed ingredients and complex supply chains. A truly sustainable, healthy, and appealing alternative is still missing in the market.

Solution

Yumame Foods: Redefining Plant-Based Nutrition
At Yumame Foods, we have pioneered a new approach using fungi and fermentation to redefine plant-based food. Our minimally processed vegan products are made from locally grown legumes, grains, and mushrooms. Instead of imitating animal products, they gain a unique taste and bite through fermentation. Foodservice providers benefit from the taste and nutritional boost, helping them meet sustainability goals more effectively.

More information: www.yumamefoods.com