Barilla officially opens applications for Good Food Makers 2025, its open innovation program dedicated to startups and innovative companies focused on creating a more sustainable and connected food system.
Now in its seventh edition, the program welcomes a new format — Good Food Makers – ECOSYSTEM — developed in collaboration with Almacube, the innovation hub of the University of Bologna and Confindustria Emilia. This year’s goal is to build a true innovation ecosystem by involving Barilla’s value chain partners and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies.
Three selected startups will join a four-week co-development journey with Barilla professionals and partner companies, working side-by-side to create impactful solutions across the entire food chain — from field to fork. Applications are open until the end of July, with the program running from September to January 2026, concluding with the Innovation Day.
<>“Good Food Makers reflects our commitment to open innovation that generates real value,” says Claudia Berti, Head of Open Innovation at Barilla. <>“This special Ecosystem edition allows us to co-create impactful solutions with strategic partners, addressing key challenges like sustainability and digital transformation.”
The 2025 challenges are:
Since 2019, over 900 startups from 25 countries have applied, with 26 already selected for collaboration. Notable collaborations include:
In 2024, Barilla invested €50 million in R&D and is expanding its Parma headquarters to become a 12,000 sqm hub for innovation and technical expertise.
For more information and to apply: www.goodfoodmakers.it
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