Plant-based alternative meat technology startup Delight Food announced on the 5th that it has been selected as a finalist in the world's largest startup competition, '2025 MassChallenge Switzerland.'
MassChallenge is a startup support program that began in the U.S. in 2009 and has produced over 4,300 startups to date. The total investment attracted by these corporations has reached $14 billion (approximately 19 trillion won). Leading global corporations such as Nestlé, Mars, and KPMG are participating as partners, providing industry-linked mentoring and market validation opportunities.
This year, 1,517 startups from around the world applied for MassChallenge, and Delight Food was the only company from Korea selected as a finalist announced on the 2nd.
Delight Food is developing plant-based alternative meat that replicates the chewy texture of meat based on cellulose new material-based dietary fiber structural design technology. The company aims to create a product that is difficult to distinguish from real meat by overcoming the texture limitations of existing alternative meat products, reaching beyond mere sustainability to create "food that everyone can enjoy deliciously."
MassChallenge judges noted that Delight Food showed high growth potential in the global market with its unique materials and structural technology in the plant-based alternative meat industry, which is facing market expansion challenges due to technical limitations. They particularly emphasized that protein structuring and texture improvement are core solutions urgently required by the current market.
Finalists in the MassChallenge will participate in a 10-week acceleration program starting from the 30th in Lausanne, Switzerland, where early-stage companies receive expert assistance. After the program ends, outstanding teams will have the opportunity to receive a prize pool of $1.1 million (approximately 1.5 billion won) and investment attraction opportunities. The final award winners will be announced on October 30.
Hwang Hong-seob, CEO of Delight Food, said, "Advancing to the finals of MassChallenge is a symbolic achievement that shows our country's food tech technology can succeed in the global market," and added, "We will continue to communicate with global consumers through sustainable food technology that meets the needs of climate change response, health promotion, and 'taste.'"