HSG Startup Upgrain receives 2025 Swiss Sustainability Impact Award at START Summit

About seven years ago, Vincent Vida, then a student at the University of St.Gallen (HSG), entered a brewery – a visit that would change his life and the future of food forever. During the tour, he was struck by how much waste is generated by the brewing process. But this waste was more than just unused material to him. He realised that these leftovers are full of valuable nutrients that are being thrown away unjustifiably.

From brewing waste to a source of protein

This realisation led to the founding of Upgrain in 2021. The startup converts brewer's grain – a by-product of the beer brewing process – into high-quality proteins and fibres. With this vision, Upgrain won the Startup Challenge at the START Summit in 2021. This was the first highlight in the ongoing success story of the young HSG company. 

Together with the Locher brewery, Upgrain opened Europe's largest food upcycling plant in Appenzell in September 2024. This plant processes around 25,000 tonnes of brewer's grain into valuable raw materials for the food industry every year. Their daily production corresponds to the nutritional needs of 100,000 people. At the same time, the local recycling of the residual materials saves CO₂ – and the brewery reduces its previous costs for the disposal of the spent grains.

Recognition and outlook

Upgrain has since been honoured multiple times for its innovative approaches, including recently with the Swiss Sustainability Impact Award 2025, which was endowed with CHF 40,000 and presented at the START Summit. “Of course, we are delighted about the prize money, but more than anything, it is an important recognition and appreciation for the entire team. This motivates us to continue on the path we have chosen,” said co-founder Vincent Vida. At the award ceremony at the START Summit, HSG professor Karolin Frankenberger emphasised the importance of innovation in this field: “Business models like Upgrain's show how sustainability and economic success can go hand in hand. They are pioneers of the circular economy and inspire other companies to follow similar paths.”

International expansion

Upgrain plans to further develop its technology and expand internationally. “We are in talks with other partners who want to integrate our technology into their breweries. Our goal is to start building a second plant in Europe in 2025”, said Vida. With its commitment to food upcycling, Upgrain is taking a stand against food waste and for a more sustainable future.

Image: Vincent Vida receives the “Swiss Sustainability Impact Award 2025” at the START Summit
(Copyright: START Global)