18 startups from 11 countries meet decision-makers at the event’s special showcase, accompanied by Farming Forward’s handpicked pitches
Freshness needs progress. It is precisely in areas where innovation is gaining momentum most rapidly that Fruit Logistica 2026 is sending a clear signal. In Startup World (Hall 3.1), 18 international start-ups from 11 countries will present their technologies and ideas for the fresh produce business of tomorrow. These ideas are bold and practical, and the aim is not only to analyse challenges, but also to solve them.
These include AI-supported quality control and disease tracking, crop prediction, precise sensor technology, and sustainable packaging innovations. Startup World demonstrates how digitalisation, automation and new materials can strengthen the entire value chain, from cultivation to marketing.
The future is not sometime in the distant future – it’s right here in Hall 3.1
From climate change and resource scarcity to volatile markets and increasing demands for transparency, the sector is under pressure to change – and startups are providing the decisive impetus for this change. They develop sustainable solutions that boost productivity, conserve resources, improve quality control, and optimise supply chain management.
Startup World is not just an exhibition space; it is also a source of inspiration, a marketplace and a networking hub. It is a place where founders, investors, producers, retailers and logistics partners can come together to turn innovation into real projects.
Exhibition stand in the Startup World at Fruit Logistica with visitors and presentation area.
These startups show what is possible
Highlights of this year’s Startup World include:
– Bioscout (Australia): Automated, air-based disease tracking – identifying risks early instead of reacting late
– Bonsai Robotics (USA): Automation for agricultural machinery – rethinking efficiency in the field and effectively addressing labor shortages
– Noriware (Switzerland): Plastic-free packaging film made from seaweed grown in the ocean – packaging with a real impact
– Orbem (Germany): AI quality control for fruit and nuts using MRI technology – insights that were previously invisible
Clear the stage: 15 pitches on the Farming Forward Stage
Innovation needs to be shown and explained quickly, clearly and convincingly. That’s why Startup World also features a stage programme. On the Farming Forward Stage, startups will present their solutions in 15 compact pitch sessions over two days of the trade show:
– Wednesday, February 4, 1–1.50 pm
– Thursday, February 5, 1–1.50 pm
If you want to find out which technologies are really driving market change, this is the perfect place to gain an overview and find direct points of contact for partnerships, pilot projects and investments.
Startup World will once again make Fruit Logistica 2026 the place to be for anyone looking to shape the future. Today’s ideas become tomorrow’s standards, and in Hall 3.1, you can witness the rapid transformation of visions into concrete solutions.
