Business accelerator scheme targets emerging British and European sector enterprises
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A significant venture from UK-headquartered pladis has been unveiled alongside its related Turkish sector manufacturer, Ülker, forging a new Accelerator Programme supporting emerging British and overseas food-tech enterprises, reports Neill Barston.
The initiative, which could hold strong potential within the snacking, as well as wider confectionery space, is targeting early-stage companies that are seeking to gain a foothold in the market.
As pladis noted, the scheme aims to support companies in several core areas, including food tech, health and sustainability in response to key consumer trends including the ageing global population and the demand for sustainable food sourcing.
Founded in 2016, pladis, which was created by Yildiz Holding, which also owns the Godiva confectionery brand, will use its entrepreneurial and fast growth experience to support start-ups with tailored mentorship from pladis’ senior team. Advice will be given on global expansion, product design and branding, as well commercialising breakthrough ideas.
Start-ups will also be given the opportunity to pilot projects or co-develop solutions with pladis, providing real-world validation and market exposure. The hope is innovative solutions will be unearthed that will have a transformative impact on the industry.
According to the company, it stated that it aims to provide support to emerging firms across the breadth of their operations. Consequently, the programme seeks to find visionary start-ups that are pioneering innovations across three key areas: Personalised nutrition for over 50s and younger generations: Functional and fortified snacks specifically tailored to meet the dietary needs of consumers aged 50+, supporting long-term health and vitality, and essential nutrition for children’s growth and development. It will also look at advancing functional foods: Innovations such as functional snacks, nutraceuticals, and AI-driven product development that enhance beauty, wellness, and overall well-being.
Furthermore, the initiative will also focus on ingredients: Breakthrough solutions including precision fermentation, upcycled ingredients, and plant-based products that deliver sustainable and nutritious snacking experiences.
The open call for applications opens 18th March and closes 31st May 2025, with final selections made by 30 June 2025. Businesses based across the globe are eligible to apply. Interested companies can apply directly and learn more at https://www.pladisglobal.com/our-impact/pladis-accelerator-programme or direct questions to [email protected].
“We are excited to launch the Accelerator Programme as part of our continued to driving transformative change within food tech, health and sustainability.” said Jennifer Moss, Chief Research & Development Officer, pladis. “We are a young company ourselves and our leadership team has experience in scaling a global business and bringing to market innovative products. The people running this programme were the people who were integral in making our business what it is today. We want to share the insights we’ve learned to collaborate directly with visionary startups, powering the next era of breakthrough ideas.”
