Hijos de Rivera and EIT Food drive innovation in functional ingredients and beverages through the European programme ‘Impact Sips’
Hijos de Rivera and EIT Food joined forces to collaborate with European startups and promote new wellbeing solutions through functional foods and beverages.
On 29th October, Hijos de Rivera held Impact Sips, an international innovation initiative, at the Estrella Galicia Museum.
On October 29, Hijos de Rivera hosted at the Estrella Galicia Museum the final Demo Day of the first edition of Impact Sips, an international open innovation initiative led by the company and coordinated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Food). EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
During the event, the six finalist startups, coming from different parts of Europe, presented their projects before a panel of experts composed of representatives from Hijos de Rivera and EIT Food.
In this first edition of Impact Sips, the programme aimed to identify European startups specialised in functional ingredients and beverages capable of providing new solutions for wellbeing and a sustainable food system.
Topics included personalised nutrition, ingredients and beverages for specific functionalities, and functional ingredients derived from by-products. These functionalities include evidence-based health benefits provided by the functional ingredients developed by the participating startups, such as cognitive and mood support (mental wellbeing), antioxidant protection, gut health balance, and nutrient bioavailability for personalised nutrition.
The ingredients are often derived from upcycled by-products such as wine, fruit and vegetable processing residues, brewery and cereal by-products, or juice industry waste streams, turning them into bioactive ingredients rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, fibres, or micronutrients applicable in functional beverages.
Among the projects presented, the jury evaluated initiatives linked to the development of new food and beverages designed to improve consumer health in areas such as mental wellbeing, oxidative stress reduction and stress management.
“With Impact Sips, we continue working on our orbital innovation model, connecting with international talent and fostering a collaborative ecosystem that allows us to explore new avenues to create products that generate a positive impact. We want innovation to be a tool that promotes consumer well-being and planetary sustainability, always from our restless spirit and commitment to craftsmanship.” 3
Rivera also highlighted the importance of this programme, born from public-private collaboration, in showcasing ideas and projects that anticipate the future of the sector.
“The demand for functional foods and beverages is growing at an unprecedented pace, driven by consumers seeking healthier, more natural, and science-based options. This new paradigm combines science, biotechnology, and purpose, offering the industry a unique opportunity to innovate with tangible impact on health and sustainability. At EIT Food, we work to transform scientific knowledge into accessible solutions that strengthen both people’s health and the competitiveness of the European food sector.”
Six European projects to redefine the future of food
The finalist proposals came from countries such as Poland, Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. In the field of mental wellbeing, the projects presented natural ingredients and technologies that could promote mental clarity, emotional balance, and sustained energy. Natural caffeine alternatives were also developed, offering long-lasting energy without side effects, thanks to patented combinations of botanical extracts.
Other solutions presented included the transformation of by-products from the wine industry into antioxidant ingredients with applications in food and supplements, demonstrating how waste can be turned into high-value resources.
In the area of personalised nutrition, micronutrients extracted from fruits and vegetables were developed to create functional beverages tailored to individual needs, combining health, sustainability and convenience. These proposals reflect an advanced vision of the development of functional ingredients, with approaches that integrate science, nature, and technology within the European open innovation ecosystem promoted by Hijos de Rivera.
“Impact Sips has allowed us to connect with startups with enormous potential, identifying market trends to lay the groundwork for future pilot projects and even investment opportunities. This programme serves as a breeding ground for initiatives that strengthen our innovation axis in functional products.”
“Impact Sips reflects the spirit of companies that are truly disruptive in innovation, such as Hijos de Rivera, which transform science into new market opportunities rather than marketing stories. At EIT Food, we promote this kind of innovation with a pan-European perspective, connecting science and entrepreneurship to generate real impact on people’s well-being and the competitiveness of the food sector.”