Nurtured Nuts Company Wins Grand Prize for Allergen-less Peanuts in IFT FIRST Startup Pitch Competition Finale

CHICAGO – August 3, 2026 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is proud to announce that Nurtured Nuts Company was selected as the winner of The Pitch! at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, IFT’s annual food research, science, and technology event that was held July 12-15 in Chicago. The rapid-pitch competition, showcasing product innovations in the early stages, featured six startups from the sold-out Startup Pavilion competing for the grand prize in the finale.

Through a partnership with AgriNetica, the U.S. division of BetterSeeds, Nurtured Nuts Company leverages gene-edited peanuts with reduced allergens while preserving the peanut’s flavor, nutrition and versatility. The USDA-approved allergen-less peanuts have been successfully planted at a field site in Georgia, marking the first outdoor, commercial-scale cultivation of gene edited peanuts, and specifically these hypoallergenic peanuts in the U.S. Their products are designed for peanut butter, protein bars, powders, and other peanut-based snacks. Nurtured Nuts Company seeks to have its batch of products finished in 2026 with the first commercially available allergen-less peanut product being available to consumers in 2027.

As part of its grand prize recognition, Nurtured Nuts Company received $10,000 courtesy of The Pitch! competition sponsor, Seeding The Future Foundation. Nurtured Nuts also received a four-hour Nextin™ Growth Strategy Ideation Session to help identify growth opportunities and build a stronger strategic foundation for future expansion.

“This is a defining moment for us and for everyone who's ever wished peanut allergies did not exist as a barrier for the foods we love. We're proving that science can make food safer without sacrificing what makes it great. The opportunity ahead is enormous, and we're just getting started,” said Nurtured Nuts Company Founder and CEO Bryant Williams.

The runners-up, each earning $2,500 and a two-hour Nextin™ Growth Strategy Ideation Session to help identify growth opportunities and strengthen strategic planning for future growth, were BioBlends and Forever Harvest. Argentina-based BioBlends develops gas-based bio-preservation solutions for the food industry. Using volatile compounds derived from beneficial bacteria, the technology extends shelf life and eliminates contaminating microorganisms without affecting taste, aroma, or texture. Forever Harvest, a cellular horticulture company based out of New Zealand, develops plant cell lines and growth media for custom fruit and nut ingredients.

The finale, which was held on Wednesday, July 15, featured the six finalists pitching their product innovations to a panel of judges that featured:

• Lauren Abda: Co-Founder, Branch Venture Group
• Nadav Berger: Founding General Partner, PeakBridge VC
• Eric Ellis: Chief Financial Officer, Institute of Food Technologists
• Rod Hogan: Senior Vice President of Innovation, Sargento
• Tracy Landau: President and Founder, MarketPlace Branding
• Darryl Riley: President, Total Quality & Sustainability Management and IFT Board Member

“IFT is proud to provide a platform where emerging innovators can share their ideas, build meaningful connections, and gain the visibility needed to move promising solutions forward,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Congratulations to Nurtured Nuts Company and this year’s runners-up, BioBlends and Forever Harvest. The work being done by these companies is a great example of how science and innovation can come together to address real challenges and help improve food for everyone.”

To learn more about IFT, go to ift.org.

About Institute of Food Technologists

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.