One event, two experiences.
Updated: Aug 18
Come for the insights. Connect with the ecosystem. Taste the innovation.
FXT Connect 2026 is one event built around two complementary experiences. One ticket gives you access to the full program — from entrepreneurial insights and participation in the afternoon to networking, thought leadership and food innovation on the plate in the evening.
THURSDAY 24/9/26 | FROM START TO SCALE | BISTRO EFFIXTÉE |
WHEN? | From 15 to 18h | From 18 to 22.30h |
WHAT? | Founder experiences, entrepreneurial insights & interactive conversations | Inspiring talks, thought leadership & a 3-course food innovation dinner |
FOR WHOM? | Food founders, startups, scale-ups & those supporting their growth | The wider food innovation ecosystem: entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, researchers & innovation partners |
WHY JOIN? | LEARN & PARTICIPATE Learn from real entrepreneurial journeys — from building value and funding to scaling impact, internationalisation and exit — and join the conversation on what it takes to help food startups grow and scale. | CONNECT & TASTE Meet the ecosystem, deepen relationships and experience Belgian food innovation on your plate. |
Participation fee: Bistro Effixtée menu €85, startup special €50 - Book on the Eventbrite ticket-page
Every participant receives a copy of the book "Flat Earth Food" by Johan Jörgensen
Venue: PXL-NeXT, Elfde-Liniestraat 23a, 3500 Hasselt
Both experiences share the same ambition: bringing together the people who are building, supporting and accelerating the next generation of food businesses.
15:00 – 18:00 | FROM START TO SCALE
What does it really take to turn a promising food startup into a successful and scalable business?
During the afternoon, founders, investors and industry experts will share real experiences, challenges and lessons learned with fellow entrepreneurs and the wider food innovation ecosystem.
Across a series of short talks, founder stories and conversations, we'll explore different stages and challenges of the entrepreneurial journey: building value through IP, surviving the Valley of Death, raising venture capital, scaling impact, expanding internationally, building the right ecosystem — and ultimately achieving a successful exit.
No single recipe for success, but different journeys and perspectives from people who are building, scaling and investing in the next generation of food businesses.
FROM 18:00 | BISTRO EFFIXTÉE
Where food innovation comes to life — and lands on your plate.
From 18:00 onwards, the setting changes as FXT Connect transforms into Bistro Effixtée.
Around the table, the conversations continue while our FXT Chef turns a selection of innovative Belgian ingredients, food products and beverages into a three-course dinner. Our ambition? To serve one of the most innovative menus of the year and let our guests experience first-hand what Belgian food innovation tastes like.
Bistro Effixtée is also about connecting. Over dinner, founders, investors, food industry leaders and innovators have the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and strengthen relationships within the community.
And the content doesn't stop when dinner starts. Between courses, we'll make room for a few more inspiring voices and for thought leadership. One of them is Johan Jörgensen, founder of Sweden Foodtech and often referred to as Sweden's “Mr Foodtech”. At FXT26, Johan will introduce the ideas behind his book Flat Earth Food, in which he calls for a Copernican shift in the way we think about agriculture, food, health and economics.
Come for the insights. Connect with the ecosystem. Taste the innovation.
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