University of St.Gallen Alumnus Vincent Vida Leads Upgrain’s Sustainable Revolution in Food Upcycling

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

(IN BRIEF) Upgrain, a rising star in the food upcycling arena, transforms brewer’s grain into premium proteins and fibers. Founded in 2021 by University of St.Gallen alumnus Vincent Vida, the startup repurposes nutrient-rich brewing waste that would otherwise be discarded. In partnership with the Locher brewery, Upgrain opened Europe’s largest food upcycling facility in Appenzell in September 2024, processing 25,000 tonnes of brewer’s grain per year and supporting the nutritional needs of 100,000 people daily. Recognized at the START Summit and awarded the Swiss Sustainability Impact Award 2025, Upgrain is now planning international expansion with a second plant scheduled for 2025, positioning itself as a key player in sustainable and circular food production.

(PRESS RELEASE)  ST. GALLEN, 24-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A recent breakthrough in sustainable food innovation has captured attention in the European agri-food sector. Upgrain, a startup that repurposes brewer’s grain into high-quality proteins and fibers, is rapidly emerging as a leader in food upcycling. The idea for this transformative venture was conceived by Vincent Vida, a former student of the University of St.Gallen, after observing the enormous potential in the nutrient-rich waste generated during the brewing process.

Upgrain, established in 2021, has successfully converted what was once discarded as waste into valuable raw materials for the food industry. In a notable collaboration with the Locher brewery, the company launched Europe’s largest food upcycling plant in Appenzell in September 2024. This state-of-the-art facility processes approximately 25,000 tonnes of brewer’s grain annually—an amount sufficient to meet the daily nutritional needs of around 100,000 people—while also contributing to local CO₂ reduction by minimizing waste disposal.

The startup’s innovative approach has earned significant recognition. Upgrain won the Startup Challenge at the START Summit in 2021 and was later honored with the Swiss Sustainability Impact Award 2025, which included a prize of CHF 40,000. Experts in the field praise Upgrain for its pioneering role in advancing the circular economy by transforming brewery by-products into high-value food ingredients. With plans to further develop its technology and expand internationally, including the construction of a second plant slated for 2025, Upgrain is poised to reshape the future of sustainable food production.

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SOURCE: University of St. Gallen