As part of its grand prize recognition, Nurtured Nuts Company received $10,000 courtesy of The Pitch competition sponsor, Seeding The Future Foundation. Nurtured Nuts also received a four-hour Nextin Growth Strategy Ideation Session to help identify growth opportunities and build a stronger strategic foundation for future expansion.

“This is a defining moment for us and for everyone who's ever wished peanut allergies did not exist as a barrier for the foods we love. We're proving that science can make food safer without sacrificing what makes it great. The opportunity ahead is enormous, and we're just getting started,” says Nurtured Nuts Company Founder and CEO Bryant Williams.

The runners-up, each earning $2,500 and a two-hour Nextin Growth Strategy Ideation Session to help identify growth opportunities and strengthen strategic planning for future growth, were BioBlends and Forever Harvest. Argentina-based BioBlends develops gas-based bio-preservation solutions for the food industry. Using volatile compounds derived from beneficial bacteria, the technology reportedly extends shelf life and eliminates contaminating microorganisms without affecting taste, aroma, or texture. Forever Harvest, a cellular horticulture company based out of New Zealand, develops plant cell lines and growth media for custom fruit and nut ingredients.

The finale, which was held on Wednesday, July 15, featured the six finalists pitching their product innovations to a panel of judges that featured:

• Lauren Abda: co-founder, Branch Venture Group
• Nadav Berger: founding general partner, PeakBridge VC
• Eric Ellis: CFO, Institute of Food Technologists
• Rod Hogan: SVP of innovation, Sargento
• Tracy Landau: president and founder, MarketPlace Branding
• Darryl Riley: president, Total Quality & Sustainability Management and IFT board member

“IFT is proud to provide a platform where emerging innovators can share their ideas, build meaningful connections, and gain the visibility needed to move promising solutions forward,” says IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Congratulations to Nurtured Nuts Company and this year’s runners-up, BioBlends and Forever Harvest. The work being done by these companies is a great example of how science and innovation can come together to address real challenges and help improve food for everyone.”

Related: Riviana features whole-grain ingredients at IFT FIRST