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The winners of Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge 2025 revealed

Four startups – Yomio Drops, PFx Biotech, Revobiom, and Favamole – took top prizes at this year’s Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge awards.

Now in its third edition, the Startup Challenge returned to Vitafoods Europe 2025 in Barcelona, spotlighting innovation in four categories: Most Innovative Finished Nutraceutical Product; Most Innovative Nutraceutical Ingredient; Most Innovative Service, Technology, or Digital Solution Supporting the Nutraceutical Industry; and Most Innovative Sustainable Solution.

This year's winners are redefining health and wellness innovation in the nutraceutical industry – from a freeze-dried functional yoghurt snack and a sustainable fava-bean-based alternative to guacamole, to AI-engineered lactoferrin production and a technology that optimises the natural evolutionary processes of micro-organisms.

Ingredients Network caught up with the four winners to discuss the innovations that earned them the top spots and their experience competing in the Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge 2025.

Most Innovative Finished Nutraceutical Product

Scooping up first place in the Most Innovative Finished Nutraceutical Product category was Yomio Drops, a Turkey-based startup developing freeze-dried functional yoghurt snacks.

The shelf-stable drops, which contain no added sugar, can be eaten straight from the packet or rehydrated back into yoghurt with the addition of water.

Co-founder Şenay Akça told Ingredients Network: “I’m very happy [to win the award] – I’m very surprised to take the prize! It's giving me more motivation for making more functional, different opportunities.”

Looking ahead, Yomio Drops plans to expand its product line and focus on functional products targeting other areas, “like mental health, immune system, or women’s health”, Akça added.

Most Innovative Nutraceutical Ingredient

PFx Biotech, a Portugal-based startup that produces lactoferrin using a proprietary strain engineering and AI-optimised purification process, was the winner of the Most Innovative Nutraceutical Ingredient category.

Ali Osman, CEO and co-founder, said of the Startup Challenge experience: “It is really great for visibility, and a great part of the trade fair itself.

“I really like the fact that [the Startup Challenge] brought different innovative startups to the stage. [As they shared] their experiences and their products, I discovered a lot of complementary skills that we can benefit from.”

His advice for other startups considering competing in the Challenge? “Absolutely join, it's a fantastic [opportunity].

“It's really not about winning or not winning. It's about being here, being visible, and proud of your innovative product and show[ing] it to the public. If it's the right one at the right time, it's going to kick off for sure.”

Most Innovative Service, Technology, or Digital Solution Supporting the Nutraceutical Industry

The winning startup for Most Innovative Service, Technology, or Digital Solution Supporting the Nutraceutical Industry category was Paris-based Revobiom for its innovative technology that it hopes will bring the power and complexity of microbiome consortia to the market.

When asked what winning the award meant to Revobiom, Thomas Bibette, CEO and co-founder, said the experience was “a great recognition for all the hard work we've accomplished in the last three years”.

Bibette added: “It's also good to see that experts around the world are seeing what we're trying to do and what kind of add value we're trying to bring to the nutraceutical industry.”

Asked what advice he would give to other startups considering entering the competition, he noted: “I would say that it's a prerequisite to participate in as many innovation contests and competition that you can.

“You don't win every time, but it's important at least to get out there and participate.”

Most Innovative Sustainable Solution

Scooping up the special jury’s prize for the Most Innovative Sustainable Solution was Netherlands-based Favamole for its sustainable guacamole alternative. The startup’s product provides essential amino acids, prebiotic fibre, and bioavailable plant-based nutrients that support gut health, digestion, and muscle recovery.

Andres Jara, Favamole’s founder, told Ingredients Network: “We started [Favamole] because we believe that we can make a change. Receiving these awards actually confirms that what we're doing is the right thing.

“The Startup Challenge is [also] a great opportunity to collaborate. That mix of entrepreneurship and collaborations that otherwise, because you are in your own bubble, in your own city, you probably will not be able to experience or share.

“This is a great opportunity to expand your network and discover potential. Just go for it. Do it... Even if you don't win, you get great exposure. So, you win either way.”

This year, Smartcore, the official digital marketing provider for Vitafoods Europe exhibitors, is taking innovation and partnerships a step further. As a bonus prize, two selected Startup Challenge finalists, Kokomodo and Yomio Drops received an exclusive Smarter Digital Marketing Package.

These packages were given to promising startups needing a boost with their marketing activities and will support the companies further in showcasing their breakthroughs and refining their digital marketing strategy throughout 2025.

In addition, the winner of the Most Innovative Sustainable Solution, Favamole, was rewarded with a tailored marketing campaign. By empowering emerging brands with smarter digital marketing solutions, Smartcore is committed to fostering innovation and helping visionary startups scale their success.