Mondelēz International has reached a collaboration agreement with The Kitchen, the Israeli food-tech incubator. The collaboration is led by Mondelēz’s R&D and SnackFutures teams, the company’s innovation and venture hub aimed at unlocking snacking growth opportunities around the world.

The announcement comes following the company’s minority investment in Hu Master Holdings, a US-based snacking company offering minimally processed snacks, which is also part of the Mondelēz SnackFutures venture initiative. Last month, Mondelēz also partnered with The Hatchery Chicago, a non-profit food business incubator, as it ramps up its efforts to meet growing snacking demands. 

Through the collaboration with The Kitchen, Mondelēz will “have access and visibility to one of the world’s leading food-tech ecosystems,” says the company. At the same time, Mondelēz will offer technological and commercial expertise to entrepreneurs from The Kitchen and provide an opportunity to work in the company’s global Technical Centers, including access to pilot plants and internal experts across a variety of areas including R&D, food safety and operations.

“With over 6,600 active start-up companies and a steady growth year on year, the Israeli innovation ecosystem is one of the most dynamic in the world,” says Tim Cofer, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of Mondelēz. 

Counting 12 portfolio companies so far, The Kitchen addresses global food challenges by nurturing and investing in cutting-edge technology start-ups. The goal is to nourish promising food-tech ventures that can disrupt the global food system – making it more productive, more affordable, more sustainable and healthier.

“Partnering with Mondelēz will bring value to The Kitchen and our portfolio companies,” says Jonathan Berger, CEO of The Kitchen.

As part of the collaboration, Rob Hargrove, Executive Vice President, Research, Development and Quality at Mondelēz, joined The Kitchen Advisory Council.

“We’re looking forward to developing new technologies jointly or to provide expertise in specific fields,” Hargrove notes. 

SnackFutures is designed as an independent hub that brings three core tenets of growth under one umbrella to accelerate innovation: the invention of new brands and businesses; the reinvention of small-scale brands with large-scale potential and venture investments with start-up entrepreneurs to bring emerging brands and capabilities. 

SnackFutures seeks to collaborate in three key strategic areas: well-being and premium snacks, digital platforms and capabilities. 

In February 2019, Givaudan also partnered with The Kitchen, in line with the company’s culture of open innovation. According to Givaudan, the partnership will expand its innovation ecosystem by connecting with Israel-based food entrepreneurs who are seeking to contribute to the creation of healthier and sustainable products and solutions.