10 European Startups Turning Food Waste Into Value

Jan de Vries · 2026-06-03

European startups are rethinking what happens to food once it leaves the traditional supply chain. What was once seen mainly as waste, from surplus groceries and restaurant stock to side-streams such as spent yeast, broccoli stems, and industrial by-products, is increasingly being turned into more affordable food options, alternative ingredients, animal feed, and even fertilizers. This shift is gaining momentum across the FoodTech sector. Food waste innovation has moved from a niche sustainability concern into a more mature and commercially relevant space. Established players such as Too Good To Go, OLIO, and Winnow have shown how the field has evolved. Too Good To Go is now one of the best-known names in surplus food. OLIO has built a community-powered redistribution model with over a million users globally. And Winnow has become a recognized player in AI-enabled food waste tracking for kitchens. Together, these companies prove that the sector is moving beyond just sustainability. It's becoming a practical business opportunity. Today, the market spans retail surplus, AI waste tracking, and ingredient upcycling. This reflects a broader shift in how Europe's startup ecosystem is tackling food waste. For this article, we curated a list of 10 promising startups founded between 2020 and 2026 that are challenging conventional systems to cut down on food waste. Here's a closer look at five of them. ### Clean Food Group: Sustainable Fats and Oils Clean Food Group produces sustainable food ingredients designed to offer cleaner alternatives to conventional fats and oils. Specifically, they target high-impact ingredients like palm oil, cocoa butter, and milk fat. Their goal is to reduce pressure on food supply chains and limit waste from inefficient production models. Their approach focuses on maintaining taste and performance while making better use of resources. London-based and launched in 2022, the startup has raised $15.5 million in total funding. This supports its mission to create ingredients that are better for both the environment and your health.  ### Crumbs: Surplus Food from Local Businesses Founded in 2024 in Zagreb, Crumbs is a platform focused on reducing food waste by connecting consumers with surplus food from local restaurants and wholesalers. By helping businesses sell food that might otherwise go unsold, it supports a more efficient local food system. The startup has raised $650,000 in total funding. The fresh capital will support growth in Croatia, regional expansion, and the development of AI tools to optimize food supply chains. Its model combines affordable access to food with a practical solution for businesses managing unsold stock. ### Enifer: Fungi-Based Protein from Side Streams Headquartered in Espoo, Enifer produces fungi-based protein through a bioprocess. By converting dilute side streams from biorefineries into a nutritious, animal-free ingredient, the startup turns industrial by-products into a valuable protein source for food, pet food, and aquafeed producers. Launched in 2020, its approach helps reduce reliance on traditional animal and soy proteins. It also creates new revenue streams from materials that would otherwise go to waste. Since its founding, Enifer has secured $41.1 million in total funding. ### GreenBytes: AI for Restaurant Kitchens We are particularly delighted to include GreenBytes, as they won the EU-Startups Summit pitch competition in 2022! This Reykjavik-based company provides an AI-powered software platform for restaurants. Founded by two sustainable energy experts with restaurant experience, GreenBytes developed its platform after seeing how difficult stock ordering can be in busy kitchens. Its tool helps kitchens optimize food ordering and reduce waste. It predicts future sales using historical data, weather, and other factors. This gives restaurants automated stock tracking, ingredient suggestions, and a clearer view of what they actually need. Launched in 2020, GreenBytes has secured $1.1 million in funding. ### NAND: Tackling Waste Through Innovation Founded in 2021, NAND is another startup making waves in the food waste space. While details are still emerging, its focus on challenging conventional systems aligns with the broader trend we're seeing across Europe. Keep an eye on this one as it develops. - **Key takeaway:** These startups prove that food waste isn't just a problem—it's an opportunity. By turning leftovers into valuable products, they're creating a more sustainable and profitable food system. "The potential here is enormous," says one industry expert. "We're only scratching the surface of what's possible when we rethink waste as a resource." The shift is real. And these European startups are leading the charge.