Technology Radar›AgTech & Foodtech›Alternative food systems

Alternative food systems

Alternative food systems develop proteins and other foods from sources such as microbes, plants, and cultivated cells. They offer ways to diversify food supply and reduce reliance on conventional animal agriculture.

10 technology landscapesUpdated 26 October 2026

Alternative food systems technologies

3D-printed food

3D-printed food is food made by depositing edible ingredients layer by layer using a computer-controlled printer.

679organizations3startups849publications / yr
Updated Oct 2026

Air-based protein

Air-based protein is edible protein produced by cultivating microorganisms on gaseous feedstocks such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

27organizations1startups22publications / yr
Updated Oct 2026

Alternative proteins

Alternative proteins are protein ingredients and foods produced from sources or processes that offer alternatives to conventional animal agriculture.

3korganizations60startups5.2kpublications / yr
Updated Sep 2026

Cellular agriculture scaling

Cellular agriculture scaling is the development of processes and production capacity to manufacture food products from cultured cells or precision fermentation at commercial scale.

89organizations1startups71publications / yr
Updated Oct 2026

Cultured meat scaffold engineering

Cultured meat scaffold engineering develops structures and materials that support the growth and organization of animal cells into meat products.

483organizations18startups495publications / yr
Updated Sep 2026

Insect protein food products

Food products and ingredients made from edible insects or insect-derived protein.

3korganizations20startups5.6kpublications / yr
Updated Oct 2026

Microalgae and cyanobacteria processing

Microalgae and cyanobacteria processing covers methods for harvesting, separating, converting, and extracting useful products from these microorganisms and their biomass.

1.6korganizations11startups1.7kpublications / yr
Updated Sep 2026

Mycelium-based food products

Mycelium-based food products use fungal mycelium as an ingredient or the main edible material.

518organizations5startups598publications / yr
Updated Sep 2026

Plant-based meat technology

Plant-based meat technology develops foods from plant-derived ingredients that imitate the taste, texture, or use of animal meat.

683organizations12startups774publications / yr
Updated Oct 2026

Upcycled food ingredients

Upcycled food ingredients are edible ingredients made by recovering and processing food by-products or surplus materials that would otherwise be discarded or underused.

362organizations1startups364publications / yr
Updated Oct 2026

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