Riyadh, November 01, 2023, InFlavour concluded its successful three-day event at the Riyadh Exhibition and Conference Centre, Malham, placing a spotlight on the burgeoning startup industry in the region. Distinguished figures from the Middle East shared their personal growth stories on various stages during the inaugural event. Additionally, the first-ever Five-Star Pitch Fest, a three-day competition for F&B startups, crowned its winners.
Renowned Jordanian chef Manal Al Alem emphasized the importance of preserving tradition and culture while leveraging social media to connect younger generations with their food heritage. The Pitch Fest's grand finale featured the industry's brightest startups competing for three coveted prizes: 'Plant The Idea Award' for early-stage startups, 'Flourishing Founder Award' for well-established startups, and the overall 'InFlavour Award.'
The 'Plant The Idea Award' was clinched by Saudi-based Terraxy, focusing on addressing challenges in harsh and arid environments with low-cost, eco-friendly solutions for plant growth in deserts. The 'Flourishing Founder Award' went to Saudi-based Barakah, an online marketplace facilitating the sale of surplus food products to consumers at discounted prices. The prestigious 'InFlavour Award,' with a prize of US$30,000, was presented to US-based A Dozen Cousins, a natural food brand inspired by traditional Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American recipes.
Alia AlKasimi, co-founder of Oh Delices Creative, highlighted current AI trends in a masterclass, showcasing a cookbook created using generative AI, emphasizing the technology's potential impact on the food marketing industry.
The inaugural InFlavour event, organized by Tahaluf in partnership with the Events Investment Fund and SAFCSP, and with the support of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, drew tens of thousands of visitors, 400 brands, 200 investors, and 200 speakers from 143 countries over three days. For more information about InFlavour, please visit www.inflavourexpo.com.
