NutraIngredients has two separate opportunities: First, we are looking for entrepreneurial consumer-facing, science- or technology-based start-ups to join our Probiota Pioneers session. Second, we’re on the lookout for the latest state-of-the-art developments related to prebiotic, probiotic, postbiotic and microbiome science relevant to human health for presentation at our Scientific Frontiers Session.
If selected, successful entries from both categories will have the opportunity to present at Probiota Americas in Vancouver, June 8-10, 2026.
Probiota Americas, taking place at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, aims to bridge the gaps between cutting-edge science, business strategy and key regulatory developments in the microbiome, probiotic and prebiotic markets.
The three-day event will bring together industry leaders, academics and key stakeholders for otherwise impossible networking opportunities, in addition to interactive presentations and debates that look to share new data, drive new science, boost business growth and aid product development in the rapidly growing and overlapping fields of probiotics, prebiotics and the microbiome.
The deadline for entries to Scientific Frontiers is Thursday, April 2, 2026
The deadline for Probiota Pioneers is Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Probiota Pioneers
NutraIngredients is seeking science- or technology-based entrepreneurial start-ups to join our Probiota Pioneers session and pitch their company and ideas to a room full of experts.
If selected as a Probiota Pioneer by our editorial panel you will receive:
- A place in Probiota Americas 2026 program as part of the Probiota Pioneers session to showcase your business to a large audience of experts and stakeholders
- Feature on the Probiota Pioneers banner in the networking hub, which you can use as a meeting point to network from
- Access to the full program including all presentations and networking session - your chance to connect with some of the biggest names in pre- and probiotics and the microbiome
- Coverage on NutraIngredients, including preview articles and your opportunity to appear in multimedia coverage of the event
To be eligible all companies must:
- Be a start-up that is founded in the Americas (North & South America)
- Have fewer than 20 employees
- Have been founded in past 10 years
- Be ‘independently owned’. This is defined as a business that is substantially owned by its founders and/or a group of independent investors; is not quoted on AIM or any other stock market; and is not a subsidiary or associated company of another business.
- Be at Series A funding stage or earlier
- By entering this competition, you confirm that, if selected as a winner, you will be available to attend Probiota Americas 2026 in person. The event will take place in Vancouver, Canada from June 8 - 10. If you require a visa to travel, please review the entry requirements here to ensure you’re eligible.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY, PLEASE CLICK HERE!
Scientific Frontiers
Our Scientific Frontiers cover the latest state-of-the-art developments related to prebiotic, probiotic and microbiome science relevant to human health, well-being, consumers and industry.
Researchers will be required to select if they are submitting their abstracts as industry research or as student-led research projects (open to PhD students). To support those upcoming in the industry, the winning student-led abstract author will receive an all-expenses* paid trip to attend Probiota Americas 2026.
The top-rated industry abstract will receive a complimentary delegate place** to attend Probiota Americas, have the opportunity to present their research live from the stage as part of the 2026 conference program and a 2026 Scientific Frontiers Trophy.
All abstract submissions will be reviewed by our Scientific Committee made up of leading experts from the fields of pre- and probiotics. All accepted abstracts will be invited to present a poster at our event in Vancouver, while the winning abstract will be invited to give a presentation during the Probiota Americas.
We are particularly interested in reports from human intervention studies and welcome abstracts from those engaged in all aspects of microbiome science in academia, industry and consumer health, particularly those representing successful academia-industry interactions.
Abstracts
Early-phase, novel, or state-of-the-art research or promising ideas covering the following topics are encouraged:
- Host-microbe interactions in health and disease
- Preclinical and clinical studies on pre- and probiotic interventions
- “-Omics” approaches in biomarker discovery and strain identification
- Mechanisms of action and bioactive isolation for strain-specific effects
- Early findings from large-scale research projects and clinical trials
- Innovations in production, delivery, formulation and shelf-life
- Consumer insights, market trends and commercial strategies
- Human intervention studies
- Academia-industry collaborations
To download a copy of the abstract guidelines, please click HERE.
*The all-expenses paid trip to attend Probiota Americas 2026 is for one student author and includes:
- Full delegate access to Probiota Americas 2026
- Hotel accommodation at the Westin Bayshore (June 7 to 9, 2026)
- Reimbursed economy round-trip travel (up to $500 USD) *Note: Travel will be reimbursed upon receipts supplied with invoice
- Present your research live on stage as part of the main program
- Be honored with the 2026 Scientific Frontiers Trophy
- Gain visibility among investors, partners, and global industry leaders
Note: Any additional expenses are the responsibility of the author
** The winning industry abstract will receive a complimentary delegate ticket to attend Probiota Americas 2026 in Vancouver.
- Present your research live on stage as part of the main program
- Be honored with the 2026 Scientific Frontiers Trophy
- Gain visibility among investors, partners and global industry leaders
Note: Travel and accommodation are not included for the industry winner.