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2025 was meant to be the year agrifoodtech found its footing again. Instead, it turned into something messier: a year of recalibration, retrenchment, and some very public reality checks.

Funding fell further than many expected, some high-profile companies stumbled or collapsed, and long-standing assumptions about consumer demand, climate narratives, and venture-scale returns were put under the microscope.

Looking ahead to 2026, however, the picture is cautious but not bleak. Premiumization, new biomanufacturing capacity, AI-driven discovery, and pragmatic approaches to regenerative ag and automation could reshape the landscape in quieter, more durable ways.

And in this environment, says Annick Verween at early-stage investor Biotope, founders must cut to the chase, as investors really just want to know two things: "What is the pain that you are solving for your customers and who is willing to pay for your solution?”

Happy New Year! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine.

​Foodtech at a crossroads: recalibration, regulation, and harsh reality​

Vague platitudes about fixing the broken food system won’t cut it anymore, says Annick Verween at early-stage investor Biotope. Elaine Watson

​'What happens next is the real test': a look back at agtech in 2025​

The last year in agtech wasn't a time of breakthroughs and victories—it was a year of stamina that will continue into 2026. Jennifer Marston

​Despite a 63% YoY drop, eGrocery leads downstream investment in 2025​

Restaurant management platforms keep gaining capital as restaurants and cafes look to bring operating costs and waste down. Jennifer Marston

​Meati’s meltdown, regen ag, David Protein’s EPG battle: What were the most popular articles on AgFunderNews in 2025?​

The ‘If it bleeds, it leads’ maxim applies... Elaine Watson

​LP flight, AI, and competition vs collaboration: AFN’s top guest articles in 2025​

Many began 2025 hoping for a rebound in agrifoodtech. Jennifer Marston

​

🎥 Agrifoodtech in 2025: What broke, what bent—and what might still work​

2025 was meant to be the year the sector found its footing again. Instead, it turned into something messier... Elaine Watson

❄️ Festive agrifoodtech vox pop part 1: From GLP-1 to continuous fermentation, what trends are founders tracking as we head into 2026?​

Unsurprisingly, AI is top of the list, which spans everything from MAHA to mushrooms, GLP-1 drugs, and continuous fermentation. Elaine Watson

❄️ Festive agrifoodtech vox pop part 2: From a funding ‘ice age’ to keeping up with AI, what keeps startups awake at night as we head into 2026?​

The grim funding landscape and regulatory hurdles dominate, but other things are also disrupting founders' sleep... Elaine Watson

​With FDA approval of Wegovy pill, new era of oral GLP-1 weight loss drugs begins​

CNN

​US farmers say Trump’s $12bn package not enough to undo damage from tariffs​

The Guardian

​The biggest food and beverage M&A deals in 2025​

Food Dive

​M&S is launching a new "nutrient-dense" range​

LinkedIn

​Caviar and foie gras? China is becoming a luxury food powerhouse​

Financial Times

​2025 Wrapped: The top 10 foodtech wins of the year​

Green Queen

​Defunding fungi: US’s living library of ‘vital ecosystem engineers’ is in danger of closing​

The Guardian

​​​2025 Developing Markets AgriFoodTech Investment Report​

​​2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report

​​10 years in agrifoodtech: an 83-page e-zine​

​Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers​

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