The Next Course 2026 Executive Program
COHORT #2 | February 2026 | Thailand 🇹🇭
In a rapidly evolving industry, staying ahead requires more than innovation – it demands strategic leadership. The Next Course 2026 Executive Program offers senior leaders from diverse sectors a unique opportunity to connect, refine their strategies, and drive meaningful impact within their sectors.
Join a network of decision-makers who will collectively shape the future of sustainable food systems.Please complete the registration form before: Jan 1, 2026
Step into the room where top decision-makers shape tomorrow’s food system
WHO THIS IS FOR
The Next Course 2026 convenes senior decision-makers and innovators positioned to move the alternative protein industry forward:
Food industry executives, retail and foodservice strategists, policymakers, academic researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and culinary leaders and chefs.
Participation is by application. Each cohort is curated to ensure strategic balance across sectors and maximize value for every participant.
THE JOURNEY
The program consists of a series of in-person meetings in Tel Aviv and an immersive study tour to Thailand – designed to provide VIP access to Asia’s food capital and an emerging strategic destination for Israeli companies, with the aim of expanding global perspectives and fostering practical collaborations.
IN ISRAEL
Tel Aviv – Feb 17 & 24, 2026
Zoom – March 1, 2026
Lay the groundwork:Two intensive afternoon sessions bring together the cohort’s diverse expertise, from R&D and retail to policy and culinary innovation, to unpack real-world challenges in commercializing alternative proteins. Through case studies, expert dialogue, and collaborative exercises, participants build shared context and strategic questions that will drive learning throughout the journey.
Thailand, March 16 – 20, 2026
Thailand: In collaboration with Israel’s diplomatic and economic mission, participants go beyond site visits to strategic learning. Gain behind-the-scenes access to Southeast Asia’s alternative protein ecosystem: Learn how CP Foods ($17 billion, 17 countries) – commercializes innovation at scale. Meet with leading retailers navigating the market, and Thai chefs pioneering alternative proteins in Asian cuisine. Connect with the players shaping the region’s future at an exclusive evening at the Ambassador’s Residence, exploring triple-helix collaborations from lab to market.
*Program is tailored to each cohort to deliver maximum value
Tel Aviv -April – May 2026
Where it gets real: After the tour, reconvene for three sessions that dive deeper into priority topics and connect you with The Next Course Network, including the 2025 cohort, to build lasting partnerships and convert ideas into actionable next steps.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
• Two In-person sessions in Israel: Feb 17, 24 – 3-8p.m, dinner included
• Virtual session: March 1 – 1:30 p.m, 90 minutes on Zoom
• Study tour: March 16 – 20, Thailand
• Network launch and acceleration session: 3 sessions, April – May (Dates to be announced)
Full attendance at all sessions is expected
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Yair Goldfeder
CTO, Innovation Manager, Wonders of Nature, Soglowek
“An inspiring and fascinating experience, full of meaningful connections. GFI’s initiative to launch this program is nothing short of amazing.”
Dr. Ziva Hamama
Director of the Food Risk Management Department, Ministry of Health
“The program brought together an exceptional group of professionals whose diverse perspectives enriched our discussions… The meaningful encounters and unique participant mix provided an expansive and nuanced understanding of the ecosystem.”
Yfah Burstein
Chief Business Officer, Brevel
“A perfectly curated and diverse mix of enriching meetings, a group of talented individuals from different disciplines with complementary backgrounds, flawless planning and execution… I couldn’t have imagined a delegation so efficient and enjoyable.”
HOW TO JOIN
Enrollment is limited to a select group of participants. To express your interest, please complete the registration form before Jan 1st.
Should your profile align with the program, we will reach out to schedule a brief conversation to explore the potential fit.
PROGRAM FEES & SUPPORT
The cost of participation includes:
• Registration fee: NIS 300, payable upon acceptance into the program.
• Bangkok travel & accommodation: Not included in the program fee and covered separately by participants. Estimated cost: NIS 6000 (as of Dec 2025. Subject to price changes)
Thanks to the generous support of our partners and donors, the program offers over NIS 20,000 in value per participant. Key experiences include meetups, tailored content, expert speakers, delegation logistics, and VIP access to the decision-makers shaping the ecosystem, designed to fast-track your impact
*Subsidy for accommodation is available for participants from the public sector and academia.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS: THE NEXT COURSE 2025
Our inaugural 2025 cohort brought together 14 leaders from business, policy, academia,and civil society. The program culminated in a delegation to Denmark and the Netherlands, featuring knowledge-sharing with ecosystem frontrunners, site visits, and participation in the F&A Next Conference.
Participants from 2025 continue to collaborate through THE NEXT COURSE NETWORK with exclusive activities, driving real-world impact across sectors.
2025 COHORT AFFILIATIONS
The Next Course is where the leaders rewriting the rules of food come to sharpen their strategy, expand their influence, and build coalitions that matter.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts and collaborating with you on shaping the future of the global food system.
For further information:
Hila Goldenberg, Senior International Collaborations Manager, GFI Israel
hilag@gfi.org
