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pladis Opens Second Food-Tech Accelerator Round

The McVitie's, GODIVA and Ülker owner is inviting start-ups to bring nutrition-improving technologies to its global food-tech accelerator programme.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Healthy Food

Photograph of rows of unlabeled stainless-steel fermentation vessels and copper piping in a bright food-science laboratory, with a glass beaker of amber liquid in the foreground.
Food maker pladis, owner of McVitie's, GODIVA and Ülker, opened applications on Thursday for a second round of its global food-tech accelerator seeking nutrition-improving start-up technologies, closing 15 January 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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pladis has opened applications for the second year of its global Accelerator Programme, seeking food-tech start-ups whose technologies improve nutrition without reducing taste. Applications close on 15 January 2027.

Why it matters

Changing eating habits linked to GLP-1 medicines, climate pressures on ingredient supplies and rising nutrition expectations are pushing food makers to find new ways to improve products. The programme offers start-ups a route to collaborate with an established global food company.

The first programme drew around 300 applications from five continents and selected 12 finalists, with 37 mentors drawn from pladis and Yıldız Holding teams. Participation is free, and up to 12 start-ups will work with specialists across pladis.

The players

pladis

A global food company that owns the McVitie's, GODIVA and Ülker brands and runs the Accelerator Programme.

Yıldız Holding

The Turkish conglomerate that is the parent company of pladis and supplied mentors to the first programme.

The details

Start-ups are sought in areas including fermentation, enzymatic processing, sensory science and natural additive alternatives, such as technology that can convert up to 30% of sugar into fibre. Selected companies will access technical and operational expertise across the pladis business.

Timeline

  1. 3 November 2026: Applications open for the second year of the programme.

  2. 15 January 2027: Applications close.

  3. Early March 2027: Selected start-ups are to be announced.

  4. Three to six start-ups could progress to pilot or co-development opportunities after selection.

Culture Shift

The accelerator responds to the spread of GLP-1 medicines, which the programme identifies as changing how people eat. Food makers are now seeking nutrition gains that do not compromise the taste consumers expect.

For consumers, the programme could eventually bring lower-sugar and higher-fibre versions of familiar snacks without a loss of flavour. Timelines are long, so changes to shelves are unlikely in the near term.

The takeaway

Start-ups with nutrition technologies can apply before 15 January 2027 for a free place in pladis's accelerator. Food-tech developers should review the stated focus areas before submitting.

What happens next

Applications close on 15 January 2027, and selected start-ups will be announced in early March 2027.

Further reading

Explore more on Healthy Food trends and nutrition innovation.

More information

Apply through the pladis Accelerator Programme application page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Retail Times.

Live Poll

Would you be willing to eat snacks with healthier ingredients if taste stayed the same?