Metalchemy, a UK-based startup pioneering nanotechnology for food preservation, has emerged as the winner of the PITCH competition at Web Summit Qatar, defeating Nigerian edtech startup Earlybean and UAE’s sustainable cleantech startup Fortyguard in the final round.
The company’s Co-Founder and CEO, Federico Trotta, received the prestigious PITCH trophy on Web Summit’s Qatar Centre Stage, after securing the highest scores from a panel of judges that included Amin Matni (Jusour), Yalda Aoukar (Bracket Capital), Rashmi Gopinath (BAM Corner Point), and Magnus Grimeland (Antler).
A total of 35 startups competed in multiple rounds across the three-day event, culminating in a final showdown between Metalchemy, Earlybean, and Fortyguard.
Metalchemy’s Innovation in Fighting Food Waste
Metalchemy is revolutionizing food preservation with its patented silver nanoparticle suspension, designed to extend the shelf life of perishable food. By incorporating natural antibacterial ingredients like oregano, their technology creates a protective shield when applied to plastics, paper, and bioplastics, preventing bacterial growth and reducing spoilage.
The startup is now expanding into the health sector, with ongoing research in collaboration with University College London.
“We want Web Summit to help us bring nanotechnology to society—so step into the nano world with us!” said Metalchemy’s CEO, Federico Trotta.
“Our goal is to educate the public about this breakthrough technology, which goes beyond food preservation. We see potential in health, cosmetics, and more. Coming to Web Summit Qatar will help us spread awareness and raise funding to bring this vision to life.”
Trotta expressed excitement about winning, especially as a hardware-focused company competing in a space often dominated by software startups.
“The experience at Web Summit has been amazing. We did not expect to get this far as we do not work with software. This has been amazing,” he said.
Strong Competition from Nigeria’s Earlybean and UAE’s Fortyguard
The PITCH finalists, Earlybean and Fortyguard, also showcased promising innovations.
- Earlybean (Nigeria) is an edtech startup helping young people develop financial literacy through a hands-on money management app.
“This will give us a good edge and bring attention to help us raise our pre-seed. I believe Web Summit opens doors with investors and possible collaborations in the region,” said Earlybean CEO Biobele Oyibo.
- Fortyguard (UAE) provides real-time heat data to help cities track and improve cooling efforts, addressing urban heat challenges.
“We are obsessed with temperature and we are working really hard to make this world a cooler place. We won’t be able to do this without people knowing about the problem and engaging with us,” said Fortyguard Founder and CEO Jay Sadiq.
