With cocoa bean prices at record highs and the outlook remaining uncertain, the global chocolate industry is actively seeking new ways to deliver the taste, texture, and delight of chocolate. This has led to exciting developments in alternative ingredients—from plant-based and cell-culture innovations to novel fermentation and synthesis approaches. While these new ingredients are promising, evaluating their performance on industrial equipment is essential to fully understand their potential for developing innovative chocolate solutions.
To help accelerate the transformation, Bühler is launching the New Chocolate Challenge – a North American open innovation program bringing together start-ups, established industry partners, and thought leaders to explore, test, and validate disruptive new chocolate ingredients.
We're putting out a call to all forward-thinking start-ups revolutionizing chocolate with breakthrough ingredients! Step onto the global stage and showcase your innovation to a distinguished jury of North America’s chocolate industry leaders. If selected, your startup could be one of three to advance to full-scale trials at the renowned Bühler Chocolate Application Center in Switzerland, where your ingredients will be tested on state-of-the-art industrial equipment.
This is your chance to prove the potential of your creation, gain invaluable insights, and collaborate with the brightest minds in chocolate. The journey culminates with a confectionary partner transforming your ideas into real chocolate delights, which will debut at an exclusive showcase tasting event—bringing together all key stakeholders for a celebration of discovery, feedback, and new possibilities.
Who should apply
Program Timelines
How to find us
Our phone numbers:
Main: +1 763 847 9900
Technical support: +1 763 847 0462
Spare parts- business hours: +1 763 847 0461
Spare Parts- after hours: +1 612 889 7735
buhler.minneapolis@buhlergroup.com
13105 12th Avenue North
Plymouth MN, 55441
USA
