Abstract
The food system represents a key industry for Europe and Germany in particular. However, it is also the single most significant contributor to climate and environmental change. A food system transformation is necessary to overcome the system’s major and constantly increasing challenges in the upcoming decades. One possible facilitator for this transformation are radical and disruptive innovations that start-ups develop. There are many challenges for start-ups in general and food start-ups in particular. Various support opportunities and resources are crucial to ensure the success of food start-ups. One aim of this study is to identify how the success of start-ups in the food system can be supported and further strengthened by actors in the innovation ecosystem in Germany. There is still room for improvement and collaboration toward a thriving innovation ecosystem. A successful innovation ecosystem is characterised by a well-organised, collaborative, and supportive environment with a vivid exchange between the members in the ecosystem. The interviewees confirmed this, and although the different actors are already cooperating, there is still room for improvement. The most common recommendation for improving cooperation is learning from other countries and bringing the best to Germany.
Highlights
A qualitative research approach was chosen as an appropriate means to answer the research question of how food start-ups are possibly different from other startups, how far they need a specific support environment, and how the innovation ecosystem for transformative food innovations in Germany can be improved
The experts agree that the food system needs a transformation because the current way of conducting business is not able to satisfy future needs, for instance, nourishing a growing population or meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (FS1, FS2, FS3, FS4, NET1, NET2, NET3, NET4)
When comparing these challenges with the main issues mentioned during the interviews with (1) market and external stakeholders, (2) consumers and customers, (3) people aspects, (4) structure and regulations, and (5) start-up and product, there are some overlaps and some differences
Summary
The food system faces significant challenges, from meeting the growing demand for food to reducing its environmental impact [1,2]. These challenges will continue to rise, and the food system requires a transformation [3,4,5,6,7,8]. Even though the literature around the topics of start-ups and innovation (eco-)systems are numerous, specific literature for food start-ups is limited. This was seen as a starting point for the present research. What was your motivation for founding the start-up?. To what degree do you think you improve the current food system? Personal background: Tell me something about you as a person, your motivation and background: What is your education?
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