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, Farmers Fridge, Human Co, Planting Hope

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

Apps open until 6.23.23

Info session

Join us on 05.23.23 & 06.08.23

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

Nate Cooper

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

Apps now closed

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

Apps now closed

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

Apps now closed