APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GAMA INNOVATION BOX 2026
MANCHESTER – 13th May 2026: Gama, a global provider of business information and services specialising in FMCG product innovation and international trade, has today opened applications for the Gama Innovation Box 2026. The Gama Innovation Box is a key feature of the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards (GICA), the eleventh edition of which will take place on Thursday 22nd October 2026 at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
Aimed at ambitious FMCG brands looking to expand into new markets and build relationships with key international buyers, the Gama Innovation Box offers innovative suppliers a direct route to market, connecting them with leading companies across the retail, hospitality and travel sectors. The Gama Innovation Box is designed to help brands present their proposition clearly and effectively, enabling buyers to quickly assess potential and identify new listing opportunities.
Through the initiative, selected brands will benefit from tailored introductions to 10 major buyers from retailers, hotels and airlines, both in the UK and overseas, with product samples shared with targeted decision-makers. The Gama Innovation Box will also include a product profile outlining the listing opportunity and a 2-minute video pitch.
The Gama Innovation Box feature forms part of Meet The Buyer, a six-month programme which gives innovative brands a unique opportunity to connect directly with a diverse range of international retailers, distributors and commercial partners.
At GICA, Gama Innovation Box participants will also benefit from prime positioning in a dedicated section of the Innovation Zone, where dozens of companies will once again be showcasing game-changing launches from all over the world.
Commenting on the second edition of the Gama Innovation Box initiative, Gama Founder & CEO Cesar Pereira said: “The Gama Innovation Box is designed to simplify the way brands connect with buyers. By putting products directly into the hands of decision-makers and supporting them with clear, concise information, we are helping to create more efficient and meaningful commercial conversations. As part of our Meet The Buyer programme, it also ensures that these connections continue well beyond the event itself”.
Further information and & how to apply
- May to September 2026: Interested brands are invited to apply by e-mailing Silvia Ruiz (silvia.ruiz@gamaconsumer.com)
- October 2026: The full Gama Innovation Box lineup is announced.
- 22nd October 2026: Founders record their video pitches live at their stand at GICA during the networking lunch.
- October 2026 to March 2027: Post-event, Gama will work with each participant to define priority targets and facilitate introductions with relevant buyers, sending the Product Profile (including a recording of the video pitch) together with product samples.
GICA 2025 video highlights below:
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About GICA 2026
The 11th edition of the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards (GICA), will take place on Thursday 22nd October 2026 at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
GICA 2026 is an invitation-only event and will welcome over 500 attendees from around the globe, including FMCG manufacturers, industry experts, retail buyers, hotels, airlines and investors.
Awarded in the disciplines of Product, Packaging, Positioning, Branding & Design, SME, Best of Britain, Best of Middle East, Health & Wellness, Travel, Hospitality, Sustainability and Technology, the Gama Innovation Awards go to the top new launches unearthed each month by Gama’s network of in-country researchers and analysts.
Winners are chosen through an international panel of expert judges based on a shortlist of innovative products.
About Gama
Gama is a global provider of business information and services specializing in product innovation, international trade and investment.
Through our worldwide network of over 200 experts in more than 50 countries, we offer high-quality news, research, analysis and partnering services. We deliver actionable insights, enabling you to make more informed decisions and supporting you to unlock new business opportunities.