ITASCA, IL, December 4, 2024—Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America Inc. (AHN) announced its inaugural startup challenge, Next Generation Taste & Texture Technologies (NGT3). The global ingredient leader is looking for cutting-edge advancements and is aiming to support ingredient startups by offering them the unique opportunity to partner with AHN’s multinational team to bring new ideas to market.
NGT3 seeks founders developing new functional proteins, new flavor compounds (umami, kokumi, sodium reduction), enzyme systems (protein modification) and next-generation sweeteners. The startups will gain an audience with global food and beverage experts. Winners will receive an equity-free grand prize ($15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 for third), and the first-place winner will also receive exclusive access to experts from Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, a global pioneer of innovation, that includes collaboration on their go-to-market strategy.
“Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition is excited to kick off this inaugural event and offer our services and mentorship. One of our goals is to champion start-ups and founder-led businesses in the ingredient industry that focus on the future and innovation of food. Through NGT3 collaboration, we want to inspire new thinking and uncover innovation in the food and beverage industry with new taste and texture technology,” said Ryan Smith, Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President.
The AHN team is asking for final applications to be submitted to www.nextgen3.eco no later than midnight on Tuesday, December 31. Finalists will be notified on January 15, 2025, and will be invited to the in-person pitch event at AHN’s North American headquarters just outside of Chicago in Itasca, IL, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
About Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group, a global leader in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of amino acid-based products for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, sports nutrition, health and beauty industries, as well as food ingredients. The company opened its first U.S. office in New York in 1917 and has since grown and expanded its presence, establishing offices and production facilities in North Carolina, Iowa, and Illinois. Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. leverages an international manufacturing, supply, and distribution chain to bring the highest-grade products to customers. For additional information on Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., please visit http://www.ajihealthandnutrition.com.
Press release updated December 4, 2024, at 9:30 A.M. CT
