SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 4, 2025 – The iba.START UP AREA is set to return at iba 2025 in Düsseldorf, offering an international platform for emerging companies to spotlight breakthrough ideas shaping the future of the baking industry. Following a successful 2023 debut, this dynamic showcase in Hall 13 will feature daily live pitches, networking opportunities, and sustainable business innovations designed to elevate operational efficiency and address pressing industry challenges.
Accelerating Start-Up Impact in the Baking Sector
At the heart of the iba.START UP AREA is a commitment to nurturing early-stage companies with transformative solutions for bakers, food retailers, and suppliers. From May 18–22, participating start-ups will gain unparalleled exposure through a mix of structured stage presentations and informal networking.
“We are delighted to be able to implement this exciting area again after the successful premiere in 2023 and to present new ideas,” said Susann Seidemann, Head of iba, reinforcing iba's mission to empower entrepreneurial growth.
The initiative welcomes companies less than ten years old, with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover below €10 million—positioning it as an ideal launchpad for high-potential innovators ready to disrupt the market.
Innovative Start-Up Solutions on Display
Visitors to Hall 13 will experience first-hand how young companies are tackling key industry pain points through creative technologies and services. Highlights include:
- Snaggit (Germany): A digital pre-order and payment app that reduces waiting times and streamlines bakery workflows.
- Go German (Germany): A recruitment agency facilitating skilled labor placement from Southeast Asia, supporting bakeries with visa, training, and regulatory processes.
- ProSeed (Switzerland): Transforming brewing by-products into stabilized barley flakes for protein-rich bakery applications.
- Fonte Ingredientes (Brazil/UK): Offering solutions to extend food shelf life, addressing global food waste concerns.
Each exhibitor will deliver concise two-minute pitches daily, offering a fast-paced insight into tomorrow’s bakery innovations.
Driving Sustainability and Industry Progress
Sustainability remains a strong undercurrent across this year’s iba.START UP AREA. A panel on May 21 will spotlight alumni from iba 2023, including:
- WeCarry: Creators of reusable bread bags, and winners of the iba.START UP AWARD 2023.
- Peerox: A Fraunhofer Institute spin-off presenting ‘Maddox,’ an AI-driven production assistant.
- HY5: Developers of reusable organic cotton gloves for retail bakery staff.
- FairCup: Providers of a reusable container system aimed at reducing single-use packaging.
These returning start-ups will share how iba has propelled their development, providing case studies of real-world ROI and market traction.
Opportunities for Exposure and Support
Applications remain open for eligible start-ups wishing to participate in the iba.START UP AREA. In addition, German-based companies may qualify for federal financial support under the BMWK’s ‘Young Innovators’ program, recognizing iba as a premier B2B trade show within its funding framework.
Voting for the iba.START UP AWARD 2025 opens on Monday, May 5 via the official iba platform. Trade fair attendees can vote for their favorite pitches, with three participants winning goodie bags and tickets for iba 2027.
iba 2025: A Global B2B Platform for Baking Innovation
iba is the leading international trade fair for the baking and confectionery industry, drawing 57,000 visitors from 150 countries in 2023. The upcoming edition runs from May 18–22, 2025, at Fairground Düsseldorf, before returning to its traditional rotation in Munich in 2027.
iba continues to serve as a strategic venue for showcasing innovations across ingredients, production technology, supply chain efficiency, and sustainable solutions. With the iba.START UP AREA, it reinforces its commitment to future-ready entrepreneurship.
Start-ups ready to shape the future of baking can apply now and learn more at www.iba.de.