FXT25 Foodtech Pioneers in Germany: Insights from an Ecosystem Builder

During the past three editions, FXT has looked beyond the borders for inspiration from the international foodtech world. This year, with FXT25, we are turning our gaze just across the border, to Germany. Our keynote this year is Fabio Ziemßen. As a driving force behind the German foodtech ecosystem – thanks in part to his role as Director Food Innovation at the Metro Group – he will share with us his insights into the rise and development of this thriving sector.

Today, as a partner of ZINTINUS GmbH, a growth fund specializing in food and based in Berlin, Fabio Ziemßen is responsible for financing and supporting start-ups in the fields of alternative protein sources, clean nutrition, functional food and reducing food waste.

As chairman of BALpro e.V., Fabio Ziemßen has been committed to networking, dialogue and design in the alternative protein segment since 2019. The federal association was founded in 2019 and includes more than 120 players, from start-ups to established companies and venture capital entities. BALPro aims to bring together the various players in the food industry and to promote an active exchange between them in order to develop alternative protein sources for human and animal nutrition.

Capital magazine named Fabio Ziemßen a "Top40under40" and at the beginning of 2020 he was honored with the title "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum. In late February, Fabio was selected as one of 30 industry representatives by Food Campus Berlin, EAT SMARTER and dfv Mediengruppe to join the circle of Changemakers in Food & Planetary Health. This diverse group consists of scientists, visionaries, pioneers, founders and managers – all working daily to address the challenges in our food system.