FMItech Pitch Competition
Where emerging technology meets the realities of the food industry
The FMItech Pitch competition is designed for emerging companies developing technology for the grocery industry, including retail, wholesale, and CPG ecosystems. This in an opportunity to share your new technology with the food industry.
Applications close on September 5, 2026.
Building Technology for the Food Industry?
We Want to Hear From You.
The FMItech Pitch competition is designed for emerging companies developing technology for the grocery industry, including retail, wholesale, and CPG ecosystems.
Applicants should:
- Typically, be at or before the Series A funding stage.
- Demonstrate a pilot, early customers or other market activity in the U.S. or internationally.
- Complete the online application and submit a three-minute pitch video between August 4 and September 5, 2026.
The three-minute video should be a custom pitch to the FMItech Pitch Competition judges, rather than a commercial or general company overview.
Complete eligibility requirements, submission instructions and official competition rules are available through the application portal.
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How the FMItech Pitch 2027 Competition Works
Apply
Eligible companies complete the online application and submit a three-minute pitch video between August 4 and September 5, 2026.
Join the 2027 Class
Food-industry and technology leaders review the submissions and select six companies for the FMItech Pitch 2027 Class, announced in mid-October.
Virtual Pitch
The six companies selected present their solutions to the judging panel during a virtual pitch round on October 23.
Become a Finalist
Three companies advance as the FMItech Pitch 2027 Finalists, announced by November 10.
Midwinter Pitch
The Finalists present live to attendees at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.
Winner Selected
Midwinter attendees vote to select the FMItech Pitch 2027 Winner.
Benefits of Participating in the FMItech Pitch Competition
More Than 15 Minutes of Fame
The FMItech Pitch competition gives emerging companies an opportunity to build relationships, strengthen their visibility and tell their story directly to the food-industry leaders their solutions are designed to serve.
The FMItech Pitch 2027 Finalists receive:
- One complimentary registration to the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.
- Complimentary company registration to participate in FMItech Exchange, FMI’s appointment-based business meeting program.
- Visibility with FMI members, food-industry leaders and participating media.
- A featured pitch during the FMItech Pitch Competition at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.
The FMItech Pitch 2027 Winner also receives:
- A featured pitch during a Midwinter General Session before the full conference audience.
- Additional visibility through FMI content and participating trade media.
- One year of FMI membership at the industry partner level, which unlocks access to FMI research, ability to participate in FMI conferences and events, and eligibility to join FMI’s Technology Leadership Council.
2026 FMItech Pitch Winner
Swish is the winner of the 2026 FMItech Pitch Competition, unveiled at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.
Swish stood out for its innovative approach to programmatic sampling, placing full-size products directly into online grocery orders and transforming merchandise into measurable media. Chosen by industry judges and conference attendees, Swish represents the bold ideas shaping the future of food retail.
Meet the FMItech Pitch 2026 Class
The six companies selected for the FMItech Pitch 2026 Class addressed pricing, food waste, shopper engagement, product sampling, store operations and technology management. Swish, BetterBasket and Genuin advanced as the FMItech Pitch 2026 Finalists. Midwinter attendees selected Swish as the FMItech Pitch 2026 Winner.
Previous Winners
FMItech Pitch alumni have presented practical solutions across shopper engagement, store operations, workforce, inventory management, security, freshness and loyalty.
Ready to Pitch What's Next for the Food Industry?
Applications for the FMItech Pitch 2027 Competition close September 5, 2026.
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For questions or more information, please contact FMI's Senior Director, Technology Strategy and Programs, Jennifer Shawgo.
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For questions or more information, please contact FMI's Vice President Industry Relations, Doug Baker.
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