Selected from 194 applications representing 44 countries, KÄÄPÄ Biotech will collaborate with Barilla Group on a pilot project exploring the potential of functional mushroom ingredients to support cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing.
KÄÄPÄ Biotech has been selected as one of three winners of Good Food Makers 2026, Barilla’s global open innovation program developed in collaboration with Almacube, the innovation hub of the University of Bologna, Confindustria Emilia Area Centro and Fondazione Golinelli.
Now in its eighth edition, Good Food Makers connects Barilla Group with innovative startups from around the world to explore new ideas, test emerging technologies and develop solutions with the potential to shape the future of food. This year’s winners were selected from 194 applications representing 44 countries.
As part of the program, KÄÄPÄ Biotech will take part in an eight-week co-design journey with Barilla’s teams to develop a pilot project under the ‘Mood Boost in Motion’ challenge. The collaboration will explore the potential of functional food ingredients in applications designed to support cognitive performance, focus, mental clarity and emotional wellbeing.
From collaboration to real-world impact
Good Food Makers is built around open innovation and co-creation, bringing together the expertise of established companies and emerging innovators. Through direct collaboration with Barilla’s teams, participating startups can test their solutions in real-world scenarios and explore their potential for practical application.
For KÄÄPÄ Biotech, the program offers an opportunity to exchange knowledge, develop new ideas and investigate how functional mushrooms and their ingredients could contribute to future food innovation.
“Winning the Good Food Makers competition is an exciting milestone for us, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this initiative. We look forward to collaborating with the Good Food Makers team, learning from their expertise, and translating new ideas into tangible results. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the potential to grow our business while contributing to a more sustainable and innovative food system,” says Alistair Hatch, Chief Revenue Officer at KÄÄPÄ Biotech.
Looking ahead
The program kickoff marks the beginning of an eight-week co-design collaboration between KÄÄPÄ Biotech and Barilla. As the teams work together to develop the pilot project, the focus will be on sharing expertise and evaluating how functional mushroom ingredients can contribute to innovative food applications.
KÄÄPÄ Biotech looks forward to working with Barilla Group and Almacube to translate scientific knowledge into practical applications and contribute to a more innovative and sustainable food system.