The Finnish food tech landscape is a fertile ground for innovation, bringing together cutting-edge technology, biotechnology, and a strong funding ecosystem to tackle some of the world’s most pressing societal and environmental challenges. Lauri Reuter, a partner at Nordic Foodtech VC, emphasizes Finland’s expertise in technology, forestry, and biotechnology, along with a supportive environment for startups. “The Finnish food tech ecosystem is very tight-knit and low-barrier – which makes it easy to launch your startup here,” Reuter tells Creative Finland. Here, we spotlight five groundbreaking Finnish food tech startups that are revolutionizing food production and sustainability.
Solar Foods
Solar Foods stands out with its revolutionary approach to food production—making food out of thin air. The company uses gas fermentation to produce an edible protein called Solein from air, water, minerals, and electricity. This innovation allows food production to be decoupled from traditional agriculture, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. Recognized by NASA for its potential applications in space, Solein resembles wheat flour in consistency and can be used in various dairy replacement products.
Enifer
Enifer is tackling food waste by transforming food, forest, and agricultural byproducts into valuable aquafeed, pet food, and human food. The company’s low-emission technology produces a nutritious mycoprotein that serves as a versatile ingredient in food production. Enifer’s partnerships with major global companies and plans to build a commercial-scale factory underscore its potential to make a substantial impact. The factory is expected to produce 3 million kilograms of protein annually, equivalent to the protein yield of 30,000 cows but with drastically lower carbon emissions.
Hailia Nordic
Hailia Nordic addresses the issue of wasted small pelagic fish in the Baltic Sea by developing technology to incorporate these fish into food production. The company produces products like pulled small fish and small fish strips, offering a sustainable alternative to imported fish with a smaller environmental footprint. Given that nearly half of the world’s fish catch is currently unused or wasted, Hailia’s technology has global potential.
Onego Bio
Onego Bio has created an animal-free egg white alternative through precision fermentation, earning a place among Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards winners. This innovation boasts a 90% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional egg production, improved yields, and lower costs. Onego Bio’s product matches and enhances the properties of real egg whites, making it a game-changer in the culinary world. The company is gearing up to launch a US factory capable of producing the equivalent of one billion eggs annually.
Kuva Space
Kuva Space leverages commercial microsatellites equipped with hyperspectral cameras to provide real-time monitoring of crop health, yield forecasts, and environmental impacts. These satellites offer insights into crop types, plant health, biomass, biodiversity, and soil conditions, making farming more resource-efficient and sustainable. With a successful €16.6 million Series A funding round, Kuva Space aims to deploy up to 100 satellites by the end of the decade, enabling comprehensive global agricultural monitoring.
Finland’s food tech startups are at the forefront of a food revolution, using innovative technologies to create sustainable and efficient solutions for the future. These companies exemplify how Finland’s strong technological foundation and collaborative ecosystem foster groundbreaking advancements that address global food production and environmental challenges. As these startups grow and expand, their impact on the global food system will be profound, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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