Israeli FoodTech Firm Tastewise Lays Off Dozens Amid Growth

Israeli food technology company Tastewise is undergoing significant layoffs, with dozens of employees expected to lose their jobs. The company, which employs around 100 people globally, including over 60 in Israel, is reducing its workforce despite continuing to work with major international food and beverage companies. This move is particularly noteworthy as it occurs about 18 months after Tastewise completed a $50 million Series B funding round in June 2025, bringing its total investment to $72 million. The funding was led by TELUS Global Ventures.

In a statement regarding the layoffs, Tastewise said, "We continue to grow and serve most of the leading food and beverage companies in the world. To continue supporting our growth, we have adapted the team structure to the new needs of our customers and the market." The company was founded in 2018 by Alon Chen and Eyal Gaon.

Tastewise has developed a generative AI platform designed to identify consumer trends and preferences in the food and beverage sector, converting this data into business insights and marketing tools for international manufacturers and brands. The system analyzes information from social media, recipe sites, restaurants, and consumption data to detect shifts in public preferences. This technology allows clients to develop products, build marketing campaigns, and respond quickly to new trends.

Notable clients include food giants such as Mars, Kraft Heinz, Campbell's, and Givaudan. When the company announced its funding round in June 2025, it had plans to expand its operations in North America and Europe, further develop its technology, and increase its staff. At that time, the company had approximately 100 employees, with about 60 in Israel and the rest in its New York and Spain offices, as well as remote teams. CEO Alon Chen stated then that the integration of AI had significantly expanded the company's capabilities, allowing it to move from a data collection model to a platform offering marketing and commercial tools, with revenues reportedly increasing fivefold due to its AI agents.