WECARRY from Germany solemnly accepted the iba.START UP AWARD at the award ceremony on 25 October 2023. Not only was this the debut of the iba.START UP AREA supported by Puratos, it was also a first that the award was presented at iba. The public had voted by using the applause function in the iba.UNIVERSE as well as on site in the exhibition halls during the four day trade fair.

Innovative, creative, pioneering spirit: of the 24 participating start-ups, WECARRY was the public’s favourite and won the award. 
The start-up revolutionised the traditional concept of the paper bread bag by creating a sustainable alternative. This revolutionizes the time-honored concept of the bread bag, offering a sustainable, reusable alternative to the paper bag.

The new iba.START UP AWARD was presented by Susann Seidemann, iba Exhibition Director, and Philippe Arnauts, Group Communications Manager Puratos, on the stage of the iba.START UP AREA supported by Puratos at 4 pm on 25 October. “We warmly congratulate WECARRY on winning this award. Our joint aim was to bring this new space to life, to promote young companies and provide them with a stage of their own as a central meeting point at iba. In presenting the iba.START UP AWARDS, we recognise innovative and creative ideas representing our future and pushing the international baking industry forward. The iba.START UP AREA is a real highlight, not only for our team, the participating start-ups and partners, but not least also for our visitors. We would like to thank everyone who helped launching this new project so successfully,” said Susann Seidemann, iba Exhibition Director.

The public had voted digitally in the iba.UNIVERSE, casting up to 10 votes per start-up by using the applause function. From 22 to 25 October trade fair visitors could also vote via QR code for their favourites on site. All voters automatically participated in a prize draw offering three goodie bags, each – amongst others – containing two tickets for iba 2025.

Innovations ahead!

In hall A4 24 young companies presented their ideas for the future in the new iba.START UP AREA. Pioneers from the food sector could showcase there their innovative products and projects – for example, Print4Taste with its 3D food printer for professionals or the start-up Bakeronline, which impressively demonstrated how to set up an online shop and reach new customers via app and website. How to sell goods when shops are closed? Here Marktbox offers quite the down-to-earth solution with smart vending machines, where customers can help themselves via touchscreen and cashless payment.

Plenty of networking space was provided by the new and stylish iba.START UP AREA. Visitors could talk directly with founders and other trade fair participants about products and solutions in the open exhibition stand and community spaces. The stage programme featured keynote speeches and specialist presentations by inspiring personalities. Subjects ranged from various technologies and trends relating to the iba.TOPICS food trends, artisan bakery, health and sustainability as well as digitalisation, turnkey solutions and quality management.

Editorial contact:
Editor: Kiran Grewal kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk