The Sigma company, recognized for brands like FUD, Campofrío, San Rafael, and La Villita, has launched its open innovation initiative through its business accelerator called Tastech. Ernesto Aguiar, manager of Tastech, highlighted in an interview with El Financiero that they seek to solve internal challenges through collaboration with startups, implementing pilot tests to effectively integrate new solutions.
Since 2019, Tastech has held five editions that have involved participation from more than 2,000 startups from 64 countries. This has resulted in the launch of 50 pilot projects in eight different countries, including Mexico, Ecuador, Portugal, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, aiming to foster innovation and the development of new products in collaboration with entrepreneurs.
For its sixth edition in 2025, Tastech has evolved its methodology into an open innovation platform that will be available year-round to receive proposals from entrepreneurs at any time. This new strategy aims to streamline the selection and collaboration process with startups to bring new products to market more efficiently.
One of the success stories of this initiative is Chunk Foods, a startup with which Tastech collaborated to launch a product under the brand Better Balance. Laura Limón, commercial manager of Better Balance Mexico, noted that the demand for plant-based options has seen significant growth, reinforcing the importance of collaborating with innovative entrepreneurs in the development of new products.
Additionally, Tastech has witnessed the success of startups like Datlas, which specializes in big data analysis and artificial intelligence, and Andonix, a firm that has optimized manufacturing processes and improved communication on the production floor through innovative technology. Another notable company is Sensify, focused on real-time cooling equipment intelligence to prevent losses in the food and beverage industry.
Sigma's initiative through Tastech not only offers the opportunity to collaborate with entrepreneurs in the development of new products but also provides the possibility of commercializing these products through its e-commerce channel. Tastech is part of the Sigma area called Growth, which aims to explore new technologies and business models to drive the company's growth.
For this year, Tastech will focus on four key areas: Green Tech, to reduce carbon emissions; Power Connections, to improve operational efficiency and sales through predictive algorithms; Future Foods, to develop healthier and more sustainable options; and New Business Models, to integrate innovative business models into emerging trends and new technologies from Sigma.
