Bühler Group launches the new chocolate challenge to drive innovation in cocoa alternatives

With global cocoa bean prices at all-time highs and future supply chains facing increasing uncertainty, the chocolate industry is at a critical turning point. To accelerate the search for sustainable, scalable alternatives to traditional cocoa, Bühler Group has officially launched the New Chocolate Challenge — a North American open innovation initiative designed to identify and validate breakthrough chocolate ingredients of the future.

This unique program invites start-ups, ingredient innovators, and visionary food-tech companies developing cocoa-complementary or cocoa-replacement ingredients to step into the spotlight. Whether derived from plants, fermentation, cell-culture, upcycled side-streams, or synthetic biology, the program seeks the most promising innovations capable of delivering the taste, texture, and indulgence consumers expect from chocolate—without depending on conventional cocoa.

“The chocolate industry is evolving rapidly in the face of raw material volatility. Through the New Chocolate Challenge, we’re creating a collaborative platform for the brightest innovators to test, refine, and demonstrate their solutions using industrial-scale processes,” said a Bühler spokesperson. “It’s about enabling the next generation of chocolate.”

How the challenge works

Applicants will compete for the chance to:

• Present their ideas to a jury of North American chocolate industry leaders.

• Be selected among the top 3 start-ups to attend a week-long product development residency at the state-of-the-art Bühler Chocolate Application Center in Switzerland during the week of October 6, 2025.

• Test and scale their innovations on Bühler’s industrial chocolate manufacturing equipment.

• Collaborate with confectionery partners to transform their ingredients into finished chocolate products.

The challenge will culminate in a Showcase Tasting Event during the week of November 10, where final products and insights will be presented to an exclusive audience of industry stakeholders.

Who should apply

This call is for companies that:

• Are developing novel, functional ingredients specifically for chocolate applications.

• Are ready to test and demonstrate their solutions on industrial-scale chocolate processing systems.

• Can commit to on-site product development in Switzerland during the program timeline.

Program Timeline

• Applications Open Until August 22 – Start-ups from across the globe are invited to submit their ingredient innovation proposals.

• Jury Selection: Week of September 1 – Up to 25 proposals will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts.

• Product Development: Week of October 6 – Top 3 selected companies will test and refine their solutions at Bühler’s Chocolate Application Center in Switzerland.

• Final Showcase: Week of November 10 – Participants will debut their chocolate creations at a dedicated industry event (location to be confirmed).

Applications are now open. Interested innovators are encouraged to submit their entries by visiting: Bühler's New Chocolate Challenge

Source - Bühler Group