

Foodtech
Innovation Lab
1871’s Foodtech Innovation Lab connects growth stage, late stage, and corporate tech businesses that want to solve the biggest challenges and opportunities in Food together.
Current partners: World Business Chicago

2023 Lab Focus Areas
Agtech
Biotechnology, Farm Management Software, Farm Robotics, Mechanization, & Equipment, and Novel Farming Systems
Food Innovations
Novel Ingredients, Upcycling, and Nutraceuticals
Manufacturing & packaging
Midstream Technologies and Packaging
“It’s been an awesome experience, we’ve been able to…
Connect with corporate partners, investors, and other founders in this ecosystem to share ideas and collaborate.”
1871’s C1 Supply Chain Innovation Lab participant gives program review.
“It’s been an awesome experience, we’ve been able to…
1871’s C1 Supply Chain Innovation Lab participant gives program review.
Foodtech Innovation Lab 2023
Application Phase
Info session
Key details
3 months | Immersive | Hybrid
Runs: 7.17.23 - 10.12.23
What's included for participants
•Unique benefits per business stages
• Inclusion on 1871 press release
• Immersive programming by experts
• Community of peers
• Growth stage gets 3 months of 1871 membership after program + during
• Featured at Foodtech Innovation Summit
•Unique benefits per business stages
• Inclusion on 1871 press release
• Immersive programming by experts
• Community of peers
• Featured at Foodtech Innovation Summit
Who's in the lab>>
Growth stage startups
Late stage lab partners
Corporate lab partners
Growth stage startups
Late stage lab partners
Corporate lab partners
Built with industry experts
Entrepreneur-In-Residence
Founder & Managing Partner @ Barrel Ventures

Nate has partnered with some of the brightest entrepreneurs building companies in this world, investing in companies such as Olipop, Jumbotail, Grabango, Helaina, Great Wrap & others. He founded L3 Hospitality Group and Wise Apple.
Barrel Ventures is an early stage fund investing in the future of food from pre-farm to post-fork and everything in-between.
Join the lab
Growth stage startups
For a foodtech company with a demonstrated
product market fit & poised to grow.
Exclusive benefits
- Share their product with Corporate partners, strategic investors, and other growth and late stage companies
- Iterate faster and level up their product and business strategy
- Tap into advice from industry experts
- Gain a deeper understanding of industry trends and positioning
- Create a network of peers in their industry
- Amplify your brand at the Foodtech Summit
Apply for 2023 by 6.16.23
Late stage lab partner
For a foodtech company interested in becoming an industry expert and influencing major industry outcomes.
Exclusive benefits
- Emerge as a showcased thought leader
- Network with peers and leaders in your industry
- Mentor future industry leaders
- Connect with industry leaders and up-and-coming companies disrupting your industry
- Explore curated connections between potential partners across maturity curve (growth to corporate)
- Amplify your brand at the Foodtech Summit
Book a discovery call by 6.16!
Corporate
lab partners
For corporates looking to innovate and accelerate foodtech solutions.
Exclusive benefits
- Ability to shape lab focus areas and programming tied to your business and broader industry needs
- Connect & network with top tier growth and late stage startups
- Curated introductions related to your business needs and objectives
- Mentor future industry leaders
- Amplify your company thought leaders through workshops and panels
- Gain peer to peer access and insights from industry leaders at other partner companies
- Seat on 1871’s Foodtech Council with like minded industry experts
Book a discover call by 6.16!
Lab timeline
Programming
Week 1
7.17.23 - 7.21.23 [Virtual]
Week 2
8.14.23 - 8.18.23 [In-person]
Week 3
9.11.23 - 9.15.23 [Virtual]
Week 4
10.08.23 - 10.05.23 [In-person]
Foodtech Innovation Summit
Capstone event w/ public showcase
October 2023

Join the Lab!
Choose your business segment.