Informa Markets has announced the launch of the first ever Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards for 2025. Recognising the outstanding ingredients, finished products, partnerships and initiatives that are redefining the nutraceutical landscape, the awards will take place as part of Vitafoods Europe 2025 (20-22 May). Submissions will open on 4 November 2024 to all exhibiting companies and finalists will be invited to pitch their entries to judges live the day before the event opens. Winners will then be announced to a select audience at an inaugural awards ceremony taking place at Fira Barcelona, Gran Via on Tuesday 20 May.
Recognising the best in business
“As Vitafoods Europe enters a new chapter in Barcelona, we want to provide a platform to champion the companies driving innovation and positive change for the future of the industry,” says Julien Bonvallet, Group Brand Director at Informa Markets. “Vitafoods Europe is firmly at the heart of the nutraceutical community, and each year the event serves as a reminder of how much our industry progresses. By showcasing the ideas and expertise that push the boundaries of health and wellness, the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards will celebrate the incredible achievements of our exhibitors in advancing nutraceutical solutions and solving crucial sector challenges through collaboration.”
Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards winners will be decided by a prestigious independent judging panel, presided over by Prof. Colin Dennis, Chair Board of Trustees at IFIS Publishing, and drawing on the knowledge and experience of nutraceutical experts and influential figures from across scientific, technical, market insights and regulatory backgrounds. All companies exhibiting at Vitafoods Europe 2025 will be invited to submit an entry for an innovation launched within the last two years in one of the following categories:
- Sports nutrition and active lifestyle ingredient
- Immune and gut health ingredient
- Cognitive and emotional health ingredient
- Healthy ageing ingredient
- Most innovative consumer-ready nutraceutical finished product
- Most innovative industry partnership (open to non-exhibitors)
- Diversity & inclusion (open to non-exhibitors)
- Sustainability
Pitch perfect
Shortlisted finalists will be announced in April, with the selected companies then invited to pitch their entries to a panel of judges in-person in Barcelona the day before Vitafoods Europe 2025 opens its doors. The pitch stage presents a unique opportunity for contenders to bring their entries to life as the expert panel dives deep to decide the 2025 victors. The winners will then be unveiled at an exclusive awards ceremony held on the first evening of Vitafoods Europe. Exhibitors are invited to watch the inaugural winners crowned and network with the industry’s most exciting start-ups, leading brand owners and influential VIPs.
Raising the bar for nutraceutical excellence
“The Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards are being introduced to celebrate the industry’s foremost advancements, while also doing more to help businesses foster meaningful connections across the industry,” says Bonvallet. “Success in these awards means being recognised by a distinguished jury as a true example of what it means to raise the bar for nutraceutical excellence. That said, the real prize is more than just a trophy – it’s the opportunity to showcase groundbreaking innovations to potential partners, both at Vitafoods Europe and beyond, and collectively drive change that supports the health of people and the planet.”
Winners will gain invaluable exposure to Vitafoods Europe’s audience with the unparalleled opportunity to align their brands with the highest standard of nutraceutical excellence in front of an engaged, wide-ranging community of industry leaders and decision-makers. Companies taking the top spot will also benefit from elevated visibility beyond the event through exclusive promotion and recognition across Informa’s influential news platforms and social channels.
