New York – – September 29, 2026 -- Big Idea Ventures and Mars Petcare have selected three startups for the third edition of the Next Generation Pet Food Program, drawing 83 applications from 33 countries to advance alternative proteins, fats and oils aimed at cutting the environmental footprint of pet food ingredients.
Program partners with AAK, Bühler, Givaudan and Ingredion select three ingredient startups
EcoBean, a Polish company that valorizes spent coffee grounds from industrial production into high-value ingredients for cosmetics, food and pet applications, joins the 2026 cohort. Loopworm, an Indian insect biotech firm, manufactures protein and fat ingredients from silkworms using proprietary technology. Space Ark Biomedical, based in Taiwan, upcycles okara and brewer's spent grain into functional protein ingredients through enzyme technology and precision fermentation.
Nearly half of applicants came from Asia-Pacific, reflecting deliberate regional expansion
Over half of this year's applications focused on dry proteins, a third targeted wet proteins, with the remainder split across fats and oils produced via plant-based processing, fermentation and insect farming. Organizers said this year's applicant pool faced stricter commercial-maturity criteria than prior editions, marking a shift from proof-of-concept ventures toward supply-chain-ready technologies.
Selected startups receive $15,000 cash prize and R&D facility access
Each of the three companies will get expert guidance, access to research and development facilities, and tailored commercialization opportunities alongside the cash award to refine their technology and accelerate market entry.
Elisabetta Pierangelo, VP R&D at Mars Pet Nutrition, said the program brings ingredient innovators, scientists, manufacturers and industry experts together around turning promising ideas into scalable, lower-footprint pet nutrition solutions. Andrew D. Ive, founder and managing general partner at Big Idea Ventures, said the ecosystem of industry and strategic partners helps de-risk innovations and validate their commercial potential before entering real-world supply chains.
Cohort will pitch investors at Singapore summit in late October
The program culminates at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore, running October 27-29, 2026, where the three startups will pitch to an international audience of industry leaders, investors and decision-makers.