5th International Food Innovation Conference
19 June 2025
Speakers
David Sinclair
Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School and bestselling author of “Lifespan”
USA
Website
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Dr. David Sinclair AO is the Professor of Genetics and co-director at the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Harvard Medical School. He is at the forefront of research that studies how environmental and behavioral factors influence gene activity and the aging process. His international bestseller “Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don't Have To” explores how humanity can slow down or reverse the aging process by activating revolutionary vitality genes. Time magazine named Sinclair one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” He also hosts the popular Lifespan podcast.
Judith Williams
Investor and founder
Judith Williams Cosmetics
Germany
Website
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Judith Williams is one of Europe’s most successful entrepreneurs and a leading figure in the beauty industry. As the founder of Judith Williams Cosmetics, she has built a brand that combines science and nature, inspiring millions to feel comfortable in their skin. Known from the hit VOX show “Die Höhle der Löwen” (the German version of Shark Tank/Dragon’s Den), she shares her expertise as an investor and mentor to support innovative ideas. Her career is defined by passion, authenticity, and a deep commitment to empowering people to reach their full potential.
Nora Khaldi is the founder and CEO of Nuritas, a leader in AI-driven peptide discovery. With a background in mathematics, computer science, and a PhD in molecular biology, she pioneered AI applications in food and beverage innovation. Nuritas harnesses AI to discover natural peptides that help the food, beverage, health, and wellness industries create next-generation products. Under her leadership, Nuritas built the world’s largest natural peptide library. She holds over 100 patents, is a WEF Young Global Leader, and serves on the EIT Governing Board, driving European innovation globally.
Michalyn Andrews is the CEO and co-founder of Provenance Bio, a leader in alternative proteins. Provenance develops animal-free collagen for food, beauty, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, and materials, along with bioleather and gelatin. A former fashion designer, Michalyn launched Provenance in 2016 to create ethical, high-quality alternatives to animal-based products. She also co-founded Lighthouse Technology Group, specializing in smart vehicle communication.
Marcin Koziorowski is the CEO and Co-Founder of EcoBean, a Polish company dedicated to the circular economy. Under his leadership, EcoBean has developed technology that transforms spent coffee grounds into five valuable fractions: coffee oil, antioxidants, polylactide (PLA), lignin, and protein additives. These products are utilized in the food, feed, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries. With over 10 years of experience bridging science and business, Koziorowski is an expert in technology transfer and sustainable innovations.
Björn Örvar is the co-founder, Chief Scientific Officer, and EVP of Business Development of ORF Genetics. He has been leading the development of human and animal growth factors from barley for the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, including cell-based food production. He also played a key role in launching BIOEFFECT, an award-winning skincare brand. Björn holds a Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Genetics from the University of British Columbia and conducted research at McGill University, Montréal.
Cyrille Pauthenier
CEO and co-founder
Abolis Biotechnologies
France
Website
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Cyrille Pauthenier is the CEO and co-founder of Abolis Biotechnologies, a leading industrial biotechnology company specializing in sustainable biomanufacturing and microbiome research. Abolis develops eco-friendly biological processes to produce chemicals and proteins for industries ranging from food and healthcare to cosmetics and chemistry, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and traditional manufacturing. Before founding Abolis in 2014, Pauthenier completed a PhD in Metabolic Engineering at Genopole (Évry, France), following a research stay at UC Berkeley.
Toby Clark is Vice President of Consulting EMEA at Mintel, a global market research company that provides comprehensive insights into consumer and business markets. Clark began his career as an analyst, led the EMEA Insights team, and in May 2024 he moved into his current role, running Mintel's European Consulting team. Even 20 years into his career he still describes himself as a "research geek".
Dr. Leonie Bode is a specialist in internal medicine and co-founder of the AYUN Longevity Clinic in Zurich. She is committed to modern approaches in prevention and longevity, as well as to the interdisciplinary development of sustainable health strategies — particularly in the interaction between medicine, lifestyle, and other stakeholders within the healthcare ecosystem.
Julia Hoffmann is Chief Operating Officer of the BIOGENA Group, a leading health brand focussing on micronutrients, functional drinks, prevention and evidence-based longevity services (e.g. biohacking). She is responsible for the company's scientific and communications agendas and shapes the development of new health solutions at the interface of science, technology and lifestyle.
Jieun Kiaer
Professor of Korean Linguistics and a leading scholar on the Korean Wave (Hallyu)
University of Oxford
Great Britain
Website
Learn more in the trend update
Jieun Kiaer is a Professor of Korean Linguistics in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. As a leading expert on the Korean Wave (Hallyu), she examines the global influence of Korean culture – particularly the linguistic and cultural meanings of the "K-" prefix in K-Food, K-Beauty, and K-Culture. She is the author of "The Language of Hallyu" and "Delicious Words: East Asian Food Words in English"
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Christine Schäfer
Senior Researcher
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
Switzerland
Website
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Christine Schäfer is a researcher and speaker at the GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. She analyses social, economic and technological trends, with a focus on food, consumption and retail.
Moderator
Florian Inhauser
Journalist and moderator
Switzerland
Florian Inhauser is a journalist and moderator. He presents the main newscast at Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, SRF and he is also the anchor of the foreign news magazine «#SRFglobal». With a master in history and anglistics he speaks English fluently. He has also an excellent reputation as an international correspondent, covering conflicts and crises around the globe.
Information
Date
Thursday, 19 June 2025
Venue
GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
Langhaldenstrasse 21
8803 Rüschlikon, Schweiz
Directions
Language
German and English, with simultaneous interpretation
Programme changes
The programme is subject to change. Should an event not take place, the participation fee will be refunded. Further claims are ruled out.
Cancellation
If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration in writing. The participation fee will be refunded up to thirty days before the event. After that and up to five full working days before the event, we will charge 75%, and for cancellations after that we will charge the full amount. A substitute participant is always welcome.
Hotel reservation
We have an allotment of rooms in the following hotels. Please mention the code IFIC2025 when booking your room.
Hotel Sedartis, Thalwil: info@sedartis.ch
Hotel Belvoir, Rüschlikon: info@hotel-belvoir.ch
Arrival
From Zurich Airport
A taxi will take you to the GDI and the partner hotels in around 45 minutes at around CHF 100, depending on traffic. The S-Bahn will take you quickly and conveniently to Zurich and Thalwil station.
From Thalwil train station
A free shuttle bus is available for transfers between Thalwil train station / Hotel Sedartis and the GDI. It waits on the lake side of the station. A member of staff will welcome you on the spot.
Thalwil train station – GDI: 08.00 – 08.45, every 15 minutes
GDI – Thalwil train station: 17.00 – 18.30, every 15 minutes
The Hotel Belvoir is within walking distance of the GDI.
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Parking
The parking deck is located a five-minute walk from the GDI at Zürcherstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon. You can obtain a free exit ticket at the GDI.
Image and video recording
Please note that images and video recordings will be made during the event, and may be published permanently on the Internet after the event. You consent with this procedure by participating in the event.
Partner
The conference programme is co-designed in partnership with Orit Ronen GmbH.
Network partner
Media partner
About the International Food Innovation Conference
The International Food Innovation Conference is an annual event on the future of food. It covers both technological and social changes in the food ecosystem. The aim is to place current trends in an overarching context and to develop long-term perspectives for all stakeholders involved. Under the overarching theme of "Building a sustainable food system", the all-day conference brings together thought leaders, experts and start-ups.
Participants
Participants
Speakers
Participants are decision-makers from the food industry and related sectors, entrepreneurs, academics and journalists from Swiss and European quality media.
Knapp 25 % der Teilnehmer*innen sind Geschäftsführer*innen.
99 % der Teilnehmer*innen bewerteten das Konferenzerlebnis mit sehr gut oder gut.
Almost 25 % of the participants are CEOs.
99 % of the participants rated the overall conference experience as excellent or good.
Past conferences
Testimonials
Advisory Board
Urs Niggli
Former Director General of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick, Switzerland. Niggli is a Swiss agricultural scientist and pioneer of organic agriculture. Under his 30 year leadership, FiBL has developed into one of the world's leading research institutes. He is also the founder of agroecology.science, a consulting company for sustainability and organic farming.
Matthew Robin
CEO of ELSA-Mifroma, a group of six food companies in Migros Industry. Robin has pioneered Migros strategy, investments and activities in the cultured meat area. Educated in England as a chemical engineer, he pursued a career in Switzerland and the USA in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and medtech area, before moving to the food sector.
Lee Howell
Executive Director, Villars Institute. Howell was the Managing Director at the World Economic Forum (WEF) responsible for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland from 2009 until 2021 and the Editor-in-Chief of its Global Risks Report (2012 & 2013). He is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Geneva's School of Economics and Management (GSEM) and a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen’s CEMS program.
Björn Witte
Managing Partner & CEO, Blue Horizon. The company invests in a new sustainable food system, with an end-to-end approach that extends beyond alternative proteins – starting with better crop practices right through to sustainable packaging and smarter distribution. Witte is Blue Horizons strategic thinker and deal maker with a strong background in transforming the food industries as an entrepreneur in international markets.
Partner
Netzwerkpartner
Medienpartner
About the International Food Innovation Conference
The International Food Innovation Conference is an annual event on the future of food. It covers both technological and social changes in the food ecosystem. The aim is to place current trends in an overarching context and to develop long-term perspectives for all stakeholders involved. Under the overarching theme of "Building a sustainable food system", the all-day conference brings together thought leaders, experts and start-ups.
Participants
Participants
Referenten und Referentinnen
An der Konferenz nehmen teil: Entscheidungsträgerinnen aus der Lebensmittelindustrie und verwandten Branchen, Unternehmer, Akademikerinnen und Journalisten von Schweizer und europäischen Qualitätsmedien.
Knapp 25 % der Teilnehmer*innen sind Geschäftsführer*innen.
99 % der Teilnehmer*innen bewerteten das Konferenzerlebnis mit sehr gut oder gut.
Almost 25 % of the participants are CEOs.
99 % of the participants rated the overall conference experience as excellent or good.
Impressions
Past conferences
Advisory Board
Urs Niggli
Former Director General of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick, Switzerland. Niggli is a Swiss agricultural scientist and pioneer of organic agriculture. Under his 30 year leadership, FiBL has developed into one of the world's leading research institutes. He is also the founder of agroecology.science, a consulting company for sustainability and organic farming.
Matthew Robin
CEO of ELSA-Mifroma, a group of six food companies in Migros Industry. Robin has pioneered Migros strategy, investments and activities in the cultured meat area. Educated in England as a chemical engineer, he pursued a career in Switzerland and the USA in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and medtech area, before moving to the food sector.
Lee Howell
Executive Director, Villars Institute. Howell was the Managing Director at the World Economic Forum (WEF) responsible for its Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland from 2009 until 2021 and the Editor-in-Chief of its Global Risks Report (2012 & 2013). He is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Geneva's School of Economics and Management (GSEM) and a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen’s CEMS program.
Björn Witte
Managing Partner & CEO, Blue Horizon. The company invests in a new sustainable food system, with an end-to-end approach that extends beyond alternative proteins – starting with better crop practices right through to sustainable packaging and smarter distribution. Witte is Blue Horizons strategic thinker and deal maker with a strong background in transforming the food industries as an entrepreneur in international markets.
3rd International Food Innovation Conference
Sehen Sie alle Bilder der Tagung in unserer Bildergalerie.
About the International Food Innovation Conference
Die International Food Innovation Conference ist eine jährlich stattfindende Veranstaltung zur Zukunft der Ernährung. Sie umfasst sowohl technologische als auch gesellschaftliche Veränderungen im Ökosystem der Ernährung. Ziel ist es, aktuelle Trends in einen übergeordneten Kontext zu stellen und langfristige Perspektiven für alle beteiligten Akteure zu entwickeln.
Unter dem übergreifenden Thema «Der Aufbau eines nachhaltigen Food-Systems», bringt die ganztägige Konferenz Vordenker, Experten und Startups zusammen. TeilnehmerInnen sind EntscheidungsträgerInnen aus der Lebensmittelindustrie und verwandten Branchen, UnternehmerInnen, AkademikerInnen und JournalistenInnen von Schweizer und europäischen Qualitätsmedien.
Past conferences
Advisory Board
Urs Niggli
Former Director General of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick, Switzerland. Niggli is a Swiss agricultural scientist and pioneer of organic agriculture. Under his 30 year leadership, FiBL has developed into one of the world's leading research institutes. He is also the founder of agroecology.science, a consulting company for sustainability and organic farming.
Matthew Robin
CEO of ELSA-Mifroma, a group of six food companies in Migros Industry. Robin has pioneered Migros strategy, investments and activities in the cultured meat area. Educated in England as a chemical engineer, he pursued a career in Switzerland and the USA in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and medtech area, before moving to the food sector.
Lee Howell
Ausserordentlicher Gastprofessor an der Universität Genf, wo er zwei neue Kurse über die vierte industrielle Revolution und über disruptive Technologien unterrichtet. Howell ist zudem Lehrbeauftragter an der Universität St. Gallen. Er ist Mitglied des Vorstands der EAT Foundation, einer wissenschaftsbasierten globalen Plattform für die Transformation des Lebensmittelsystems. Von 2009 bis 2021 war Howell als Geschäftsführer des Weltwirtschaftsforums für dessen Jahrestagung in Davos verantwortlich. Er gründet das Villars Institute, das die Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Generationen fördern wird, um den Übergang zu einer Netto-Null-Wirtschaft zu beschleunigen und die Gesundheit unseres Planeten wiederherzustellen.
Björn Witte
Geschäftsführer & CEO, Blue Horizon. Die Firma investiert in ein neues nachhaltiges Nahrungsmittelsystem mit einem durchgängigen Ansatz, der über alternative Proteine hinausgeht – angefangen bei besseren Anbaumethoden bis hin zu nachhaltiger Verpackung und intelligenterem Vertrieb. Witte ist der strategische Denker und Macher von Blue Horizon, der als Unternehmer auf den internationalen Märkten die Lebensmittelindustrie verändert hat