This Ghent-based start-up is behind one of the "world’s hottest food-tech innovations in 2025"

A Belgian gem breaks into the global Top 30. With "digital eyes" capable of tracking the slightest production defect, Belgian tech is taking a seat at the table of agri-food giants. The young Ghent-based company aims not only to slash waste but to help define the nutritional standards of tomorrow.

© Polysense

"Feeding a growing global population is one of the food industry's greatest challenges and technology is key to solving it," states the FoodNavigator group, explaining the mission behind its Global Food Tech Awards (GFTA).

In the 2025 edition of the prize which highlights brands offering sustainable, transformative solutions for the future of food, a young Belgian company has emerged. Polysense, a Ghent-based start-up optimizing production processes for food companies using machine vision and artificial intelligence, has secured sixth place in the GFTA 2025 Top 30.

Spun out of the Ghent University (UGent) ecosystem, the company was co-founded in 2022 by current CEO Yarne De Munck, CTO Lucas Van Dijck, and COO Jarne Bogaert. It already counts several major names in Flemish industry among its clients, such as Roger & Roger (the maker of Croky chips), frozen potato product manufacturer Agristo, and industrial pastry specialist Poppies Bakeries.

"Polysense is transforming food manufacturing with AI-powered, real-time quality control that slashes waste and boosts efficiency," notes the GFTA ranking citation. "Its Quality Assistant system uses industrial cameras and advanced image analysis to monitor production continuously, detecting defects and adjusting processes automatically, ideally before problems occur."

This approach effectively replaces inconsistent manual checks, reducing deviation rates from 50 per cent to under 3 per cent, while freeing operators for higher-value tasks. By preventing waste, cutting energy use, and adapting to seasonal variations in raw materials, "Polysense delivers measurable sustainability impact," FoodNavigator emphasizes.

Polysense’s solutions have already won over renowned entrepreneurs, as illustrated by the €2m fundraising round completed last June. "With major clients in foodservice and bakery, and strong investor backing, Polysense is setting a new standard for intelligent, waste-free production," concludes the GFTA 2025 profile.