Pitch Day MEAL, ten solutions for a new frontier of food

There were ten startups in the foodtech sector that on 9 February 2026 presented innovative technological solutions for the retail market in the spaces of the Accademia Enilive at the Gazometro in Rome Ostiense. An important opportunity to evaluate projects ranging from alternative proteins through fermentation and mycelium, to innovative and more sustainable ingredients for new plant products, up to projects that concern the reduction of environmental impact.

The MEAL entrepreneurial acceleration program, carried out by Joule, Enilive and Niko Romito with its Academy, combines industrial skills, technological research and haute cuisine to create healthier, sustainable, accessible and ready-to-eat products in Enilive stores: ALT Stazione del Gusto, Enilive Café and Enilive Shop.

After the presentation of the ten finalist projects, a new phase of the program has been started: a mentoring path that will guide the teams in defining the strategy and in achieving the first objectives for the market.

“I want to thank all the startups here today. In recent months – explained Niko Romito during the event – we have studied your products for a long time and we have discovered wonderful things. We started doing research from your research. All startups started from an ingredient and came to create functional bases of high technological level. The Academy is committed to ensuring that these results are valued. I always live with enthusiasm the new challenges because they allow me to put in place new energies.”

• Leda Biotech
• Onima
• Meala
• Mycotechnology
• Plantible
• Kelpeat
• Foreverland
• Small Giants
• Summ Ingredients
• Moa Food Tech

MEAL, the first program that combines haute cuisine and innovation