USA – The multinational confectionery, food and beverage company, Mondelez International has partnered with Israeli-based foodtech incubator, The Kitchen to drive the future of snacking.
The partnership brings together a collaboration in research and innovation in product development led by Mondelēz International’s R&D and SnackFutures teams.
SnackFutures is the company’s innovation and venture hub launched last year with an aim to unlock snacking growth opportunities around the world.
While The Kitchen provides unparalleled access and visibility to global foodtech ecosystems, Mondelez will offer technological and commercial expertise to entrepreneurs from The Kitchen.
Mondelez will also provide an opportunity to work in the company’s global Technical Centers, including access to pilot plants and internal experts across a variety of areas such as R&D, Food Safety, Marketing Insights and Operations.
“With over 6,600 active start-up companies and a steady growth year on year, the Israeli innovation ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the world and we’re thrilled to be part of it,” said Tim Cofer, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of Mondelēz International.
“We’re looking to collaborate with the best and brightest talent in advancing the future of snacking.
“We know we don’t have all the answers within our four walls, so we’re on a mission to create an unconventional ecosystem of partners.
“The collaboration with The Kitchen is another great example of this ecosystem at play.”
The Kitchen boasts of 12 portfolio companies to help address addresses global food challenges by nurturing and investing in cutting-edge technology startups.
It aims to create a global food system that is more productive, more affordable, more sustainable, and healthier.
“The Kitchen, as a ventures builder, constantly seeks to bring value to its portfolio companies,” said Jonathan Berger, CEO of The Kitchen.
“Partnering with an industry leader such as Mondelēz International will bring tremendous value to The Kitchen and our portfolio companies.
“We look forward to working with their dedicated team and to introducing Israeli FoodTech innovation from seed to shelf around the globe.”
As part of the collaboration, Rob Hargrove, Executive Vice President, Research, Development and Quality at Mondelēz International, joined The Kitchen Advisory Council.
In continued efforts to develop well-being snacks, premium snacks, digital platforms and capabilities, Mondelez last month partnered The Hatchery Chicago.
Under the SnackFutures platform, it has so far invested in two food startups including US functional foods firm Uplift Food and recently made a minority investment in US-based snacking company, Hu (Human) Master Holdings.
