pladis Accelerator programme
Join us to revolutionise the future of snacking!
Are you a game-changing company pushing the boundaries of food tech, wellness and sustainability?
The pladis Accelerator programme, powered by Yıldız Ventures, is here to help you scale, collaborate and innovate with industry leaders.
With access to pladis’ world-class expertise and Yıldız Ventures’ strategic mentorship ecosystem, this programme is designed to propel your company to the next level.
pladis is a global snacking company, home to iconic brands like McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker. Formed in 2016 by Yıldız Holding, pladis unites a rich heritage of over 300 years in baking and confectionery. Named after the Pleiades constellation—a group of stars visible across the world—our mission is to bring happiness with every bite.
With deep expertise in food innovation and a strong commitment to sustainability, pladis continuously shapes the future of snacking. Our 16,000-strong global team operates across 27 bakeries in 11 countries, with potential to reach up to four billion consumers worldwide.
Yıldız Ventures is the innovation and strategic growth arm of Yıldız Holding, dedicated to supporting visionary startups that are shaping the future of food tech, retail tech, wellness and sustainability.
As a global innovation enabler, Yıldız Ventures have built a diverse portfolio, fostering networking within the food tech ecosystem and reinforcing our commitment to industry transformation.
With access to industry expertise, market insights and strategic mentorship, Yıldız Ventures provides startups with the resources they need to scale, commercialise and drive meaningful impact. Whether through accelerator programmes, or innovation collaborations, Yıldız Ventures empower bold entrepreneurs to redefine the way people eat, shop and live.
Our goal is to discover and support the most promising food tech, health and sustainability companies, helping them scale and commercialise breakthrough ideas.
Bridge the gap between startups and corporate innovation
Foster collaborations that drive meaningful impact
Equip startups with the tools, network and industry expertise to succeed
What we offer
Engage directly with pladis' R&D, procurement and business teams to refine your product, validate your business model and explore co-development opportunities.
Selected companies may have the chance to run pilots or co-develop solutions with pladis, gaining real-world validation and market exposure.
Receive tailored mentorship from pladis and Yıldız Ventures on scaling.
Leverage pladis’ industry expertise, consumer insights and innovation capabilities to refine your product, enhance brand positioning and accelerate market entry.
Engage with key players in the food-tech, retail tech and innovation ecosystem, including industry leaders, corporate partners and experienced venture professionals. Gain insights into market dynamics and explore potential collaboration opportunities.
Accelerate your growth with expert mentorship and deep industry knowledge.
Refine and validate your product through real-world corporate collaborations.
Expand into new markets with pladis’ global network and strategic expertise.
Benefit from free tailored support and industry connections without any change in ownership of your business.
If you’re an ambitious company ready to transform the future of food, we want to hear from you!
Early-stage companies.
Focused on food tech, wellness or sustainability especially pioneering innovations in functional nutrition, sustainable food solutions or AI-driven product development.
Developing disruptive or game-changing innovations that redefine industry standards in ingredients, nutrition or consumer experiences.
Strong potential for collaboration with pladis, including product co-development or pilot opportunities.
MVP or post-MVP stage.
Key areas of interest
Innovations that enhance health, wellness and snacking. We’re seeking companies that:
Develop functional snacks and beverages that support beauty and overall well-being (e.g. collagen-infused snacks, probiotics for skin health).
Innovate with nutraceuticals, ingredients and supplements that enhance food products.
Use of AI tools to speed up product development and/or optimise ingredient formulations.
As the demand for tailored nutrition grows, both the aging population (50+) and younger generations (children), require innovative solutions to support long-term health and development. We are looking for companies that:
Develop functional foods designed for aging-related needs supporting cognitive function, heart health and mobility (tailored to individuals 50+), while ensuring essential nutrition for children’s growth and development.
Integrate personalised meal planning with dietary supplements and medications to enhance overall well-being across generations.
Offer fortified snacks with targeted health benefits, such as protein-enriched biscuits for muscle health in older adults and nutrient-dense options to support children’s cognitive and physical development.
Sustainable and upcycled ingredients for next-gen snacks. As consumers demand healthier and more sustainable food options, innovative startups are leading the way with breakthrough ingredients and sustainable farming solutions. We are interested in:
Alternative ingredients – Upcycled, plant-based and functional ingredients that enhance nutrition, reduce waste and support sustainable food systems with lower carbon footprints.
Precision fermentation – Scalable solutions for producing sustainable alternatives to enhance creaminess, texture and functionality, including sweeteners and functional food ingredients.
Application timeline and key dates
Open call for applications: 18 March – 31 May 2025
Shortlisting of startups: 31 May – 20 June 2025
Final selection: 30 June 2025
Accelerator program: 1 July – 31 August 2025
Finalist showcase at pladis INNO Day, London HQ: September 2025 (TBC)
We’re proud to collaborate with Forward Fooding, the world's largest agri tech and food tech innovation platform and a leading 'ecosystem enabler' for agri tech and food tech startups, corporates, investors and government-backed organisations.
Don't miss this opportunity to work with pladis and Yıldız Ventures to shape the future of food and wellness.
Legal disclaimer
This programme does not provide investment, financial or M&A advisory services. Participation in the programme does not guarantee future funding, business partnerships or commercial engagements. You can find out more about how personal data is processed at https://www.pladisglobal.com/privacy-notice/.
