What Tastech by Sigma does

Tastech by Sigma is a corporate open innovation program operated by Sigma, a multinational food company headquartered in Mexico with operations in 18 countries across North America, Latin America, and Europe. Founded around 2018, the program runs a structured five-stage collaboration process—Scouting, Matchmaking & Selection, Pilot Design & Execution, Business Case analysis, and Scale—through which startups apply year-round via a Typeform portal available in English and Spanish. Tastech focuses on four strategic challenge areas: Future Foods (plant-based proteins, functional snacks, reformulation), New Business Models (digital commerce, supply chain fintech), Power Connections (logistics, AI quality control, process automation), and Green Tech (sustainable cold chain, Scope 3 emissions, circular packaging). The program's stated track record includes evaluation of more than 2,850 startups, execution of 59 pilots across 11 internal business units, and formation of over 150 strategic alliances.

The platform offers startups access to Sigma's operational footprint—65+ manufacturing plants, 191 distribution centers, 8,000+ vehicles, and 640,000+ points of sale—as a real-environment test bed. Successful pilots may progress to a Business Case analysis and, ultimately, to scaling, investment, or long-term strategic alliance with Sigma. The portfolio of named participants spans food tech, biotech, alternative proteins, sustainable packaging, IoT, fintech, AI, and retail technology, including Sophie's BioNutrients, Snackerie, Tastewise, Andonix, Beetrack, Chiper, Ai Turing, Entoprotech, Enough-food, and Onego.bio.

Tastech does not generate revenue as a standalone commercial entity; it is a cost center funded by Sigma to source external innovation. Applications are free, and there is no pricing model, no separate funding structure, and no disclosed financial statements. The program's value to startups is non-cash: manufacturing scale, distribution reach, brand portfolio, and potential commercial deployment across Sigma's 100+ consumer brands including Fud, Campofrío, Bar-S, San Rafael, La Villita, Fiorucci, Chimex, Navidul, and Braedt. Marketing is inbound via the corporate website and downloadable brochures, with no traditional sales motion.

Name

Tastech by Sigma

Legal name

Tastech by Sigma

Website

https://tastechbysigma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tastech by Sigma is a corporate open innovation program run by Mexican food major Sigma that connects global startups with Sigma's manufacturing, distribution, and brand assets through a five-stage scouting-to-scale process. It targets food tech, biotech, packaging, IoT, fintech, and AI startups across four challenge pillars and generates no standalone revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Open Innovation Program

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Sampling & Product Trial Programs (BPAFAMAH)

Keywords

• Corporate open innovation
• Startup scouting program
• Food technology piloting
• Innovation challenge program
• Corporate venture collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

San Pedro

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Innovation Partnership Program: Tastech by Sigma is a corporate open innovation initiative operated by Sigma, a multinational food company. It does not generate revenue as a standalone commercial entity; instead it functions as a mechanism for Sigma to source and pilot external innovations from startups to enhance its own products, operations, and sustainability practices. The program may lead to investments in or strategic alliances with startups, but these are downstream outcomes rather than revenue streams for Tastech.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Tastech by Sigma is an open innovation platform operated by Sigma (a multinational food company) that connects startups with Sigma's internal teams to collaborate on strategic challenges. Startups apply year-round and progress through a structured five-stage process: Scouting, Matchmaking & Selection, Pilot Design & Execution, Business Case, and Scale. The program focuses on four challenge areas: Future Foods, New Business Models, Power Connections, and Green Tech, and may lead to strategic alliances or investments with selected startups.

Product overview

Tastech by Sigma is an open innovation platform operated by Sigma, a multinational food company operating in 18 countries across North America, South America, and Europe. The platform connects Sigma with startups through a structured five-stage collaboration process: Scouting (open annual call for startup applications aligned with strategic challenges), Matchmaking & Selection (connecting high-potential startups with internal teams to evaluate technical viability and strategic fit), Pilot Design & Execution (defining scope, KPIs, and work plans for controlled solution testing in real operational environments), Business Case (financial, operational, and strategic analysis based on pilot results), and Scale (scaling validated solutions for maximum impact and evaluating investment or strategic alliance opportunities). The platform focuses on four strategic challenge areas: Future Foods (plant-based alternatives, functional snacks, reformulation, AI-powered product development), New Business Models (digital shopping experiences, innovative consumption models, supply chain fintech), Power Connections (smart ordering, logistics optimization, AI quality control and traceability, process automation), and Green Tech (sustainable cold chain, Scope 3 emissions reduction, water management, circular economy packaging).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tastech by Sigma Open Innovation Platform An open innovation platform operated by Sigma that connects the company with startups to collaborate on strategic challenges through a structured five-stage process: Scouting, Matchmaking & Selection, Pilot Design & Execution, Business Case analysis, and Scale. Startups apply year-round via an online Typeform portal available in English and Spanish.
• Future Foods Challenge A strategic challenge area of the Tastech program seeking startups with technologies for innovative food products that meet consumer needs and comply with new regulations, including plant-based proteins, functional snacks, healthy reformulation, and AI-powered product development.
• New Business Models Challenge A strategic challenge area of the Tastech program seeking startups with innovative business models that leverage Sigma's strengths and align with new technological trends, including digital shopping experiences, consumption models, and supply chain fintech solutions.
• Power Connections Challenge A strategic challenge area of the Tastech program seeking startups with technologies for creating innovative food products adapted to consumer needs and new regulations, including smart ordering, logistics, supply chain management, AI quality control, and operational automation.
• Green Tech Challenge A strategic challenge area of the Tastech program seeking startups with technologies that reduce carbon emissions and transform Sigma's supply chain toward sustainability, including sustainable cold chain, Scope 3 emissions reduction, water management, and circular economy packaging.

Quantifiable outcome

• 59 pilots executed across 11 areas of the company
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered portfolio company and core.

• Andonixportfolio companyOthersAndonix is a startup in the Tastech portfolio. Andonix offers smart process automation solutions for manufacturing and operations. The company develops technology for automating administrative tasks and approval processes to optimize operational efficiency.
• Sophie's BioNutrientsportfolio companyOthersSophie's BioNutrients is a biotech startup specializing in sustainable proteins. The Co-Founder & CEO Eugene Wang described the collaboration with Tastech as an exceptional learning experience with valuable knowledge sharing and support.
• Snackerieportfolio companyOthersSnackerie is a healthy snacks startup in the Tastech portfolio. CEO & cofounder Lorena Arathoon described working with Sigma as fantastic, highlighting the incredible Snacking team and collaborative learning experience.
• Tastewiseportfolio companyOthersTastewise is a food industry data intelligence platform in the Tastech portfolio. Director of Enterprise Accounts Sam Newman noted the collaboration provided valuable perspective on how one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world operates.
• Beetrackportfolio companyOthersBeetrack is a supply chain and IoT technology startup in the Tastech portfolio, offering solutions for logistics optimization and operational visibility.
• Metabixportfolio companyOthersMetabix is a biotechnology startup in the Tastech portfolio focused on biological and biotech solutions for food applications.
• Parrot Softwareportfolio companyOthersParrot Software is a data analytics and competitive intelligence startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Onego.bioportfolio companyOthersOnego.bio is a biotechnology startup in the Tastech portfolio focused on alternative protein and bio-based food solutions.
• Enough-foodportfolio companyOthersEnough-food is a plant-based food technology startup in the Tastech portfolio developing alternative protein products.
• Entoprotechportfolio companyOthersEntoprotech is a biotechnology startup in the Tastech portfolio focused on insect-based proteins and ingredients for food applications.
• Aegis Packagingportfolio companyOthersAegis Packaging is a sustainable packaging startup in the Tastech portfolio developing innovative food packaging solutions.
• Datlasportfolio companyOthersDatlas is a data analytics startup in the Tastech portfolio serving the food and beverage industry.
• Fichapportfolio companyOthersFichap is a HR technology startup in the Tastech portfolio focused on human resources solutions for the food industry.
• Lett Digitalportfolio companyOthersLett Digital is a marketing and retail technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Chiperportfolio companyOthersChiper is an e-commerce and retail technology startup in the Tastech portfolio focused on the traditional trade channel.
• Sensifyportfolio companyOthersSensify is an IoT and data intelligence startup in the Tastech portfolio serving the food and beverage industry.
• Kiguiportfolio companyOthersKigui is a foodtech startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Cucuruportfolio companyOthersCucuru is an e-commerce and retail startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Zahiniportfolio companyOthersZahini is a FinTech startup in the Tastech portfolio serving the food and retail industry.
• Pezzy Petsportfolio companyOthersPezzy Pets is a sustainable pet food startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Pulse Industrialportfolio companyOthersPulse Industrial is an IoT and supply chain technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Facticportfolio companyOthersFactic is a data analytics and business intelligence startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Wetechfoodportfolio companyOthersWetechfood is a food technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• De3pbioportfolio companyOthersDe3pbio is a biotechnology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Gavan.bioportfolio companyOthersGavan.bio is a biotechnology startup in the Tastech portfolio focused on bio-based food solutions.
• Done Properlyportfolio companyOthersDone Properly is a food technology and quality control startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Gregarioportfolio companyOthersGregario is a food technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Oscillumportfolio companyOthersOscillum is a food technology and packaging innovation startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Kitchenitaportfolio companyOthersKitchenita is a food technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Clicohportfolio companyOthersClicoh is a supply chain and distribution technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Ai Turingportfolio companyOthersAi Turing is an AI and data intelligence startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Tenderfoodportfolio companyOthersTenderfood is a food technology and plant-based food startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Moafoodtechportfolio companyOthersMoafoodtech is a food technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Simpleatportfolio companyOthersSimpleat is a food technology and meal solutions startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Food in the Boxportfolio companyOthersFood in the Box is a sustainable packaging and food delivery technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Copper Proyekportfolio companyOthersCopper Proyek is a packaging technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Ainwaterportfolio companyOthersAinwater is a water management technology startup in the Tastech portfolio.
• Sigma (Parent Company)coreOthersSigma is the parent company operating Tastech. It is a multinational food company with operations in 18 countries across North and South America and Europe. Sigma operates 65+ manufacturing plants, 191 distribution centers, reaches 640,000+ points of sale, and employs over 47,000 people. The company produces, markets, and distributes packaged meats, cheese, yogurt, and other refrigerated and frozen foods under brands including Fud, Campofrío, Bar-S, San Rafael, La Villita, Fiorucci, Tangamanga, Chimex, Navidul, Sosua, and Braedt.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• PepsiCo: Global CPG giant operating multiple food-tech accelerator and open-innovation programs (PepsiCo Labs, Greenhouse, Nutrition Greenhouse) sourcing startup innovations across snacks, beverages, and sustainability — directly comparable to Tastech's corporate accelerator model.
• Mondelez International: Operates SnackFutures, a corporate venture and innovation platform focused on snacking adjacencies, with structured startup collaboration processes similar to Tastech's five-stage pathway.
• Nestlé: Runs Nestlé Open Innovation and the R&D Accelerator, engaging startups across future foods, nutrition, sustainability, and packaging — comparable in scale and challenge-area structure to Tastech's four challenge tracks.
• Unilever: Operates Unilever Foundry and Unilever Open Innovation, a corporate program partnering with startups on sustainability, supply chain, and future consumer products — closely mirrors Tastech's pilot-based collaboration model.
• Danone: Runs Danone Open Innovation and the Danone Manifesto Ventures, partnering with food-tech startups on plant-based, dairy alternatives, and circular packaging — directly comparable to Tastech's Future Foods and Green Tech challenge areas.
• AB InBev: Operates ZX Ventures and the Beer Garage, a corporate innovation platform sourcing startup technologies in beverages, supply chain, and sustainability — comparable CPG corporate accelerator structure.
• Cargill: Operates corporate innovation programs and partnerships in food ingredients, alternative proteins, and supply chain technology, engaging startups through structured collaboration similar to Tastech.
• Mars: Operates Mars Edge and innovation partnerships focused on plant-based, cocoa research, and sustainable packaging — comparable in challenge-area breadth and corporate open-innovation structure to Tastech.
• Tyson Foods: Runs Tyson Ignite and innovation programs partnering with startups in alternative proteins, food technology, and supply chain — comparable direct competitor in food industry corporate innovation.
• Kraft Heinz: Operates corporate venture and open innovation programs (including Spring) sourcing food-tech and CPG-adjacent startup innovations, structured similarly to Tastech's challenge-based sourcing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tastech by Sigma