Applications for EIT Food’s Entrepreneurship Programmes 2023 now open
EIT Food has announced the launch of its 2023 Entrepreneurship Programmes, with applications now open for three agri-foodtech programmes.
The EIT Food Entrepreneurship Programmes are designed to launch, accelerate and scale impactful and innovative European startups working to solve challenges in the global food system. These include tackling food waste, promoting sustainability and advancing developments in protein diversification.
The programmes offer the chance for entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey to receive support from the world’s largest agri-foodtech innovation community, participate in training programmes, industry events and networking. Successful start-ups could receive funding of up to €500,000 from EIT Food, as well as leveraging external funding from EIT Food’s investor community.
Selected startups will also receive training, personalised mentoring, high-impact pilot projects and access to the world’s largest food innovation network, as well as exposure, resources and tools needed to grow and succeed.
EIT Food Entrepreneurship runs three programmes that cater for all stages of business growth: from market potential (EIT Food Seedbed Incubator); business acceleration and market tech validation (EIT Food Accelerator Network); to commercial capabilities upscaling (EIT Food RisingFoodStars). The three programmes are
- EIT Food Seedbed Incubator Programme
LAUCH: for researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs looking for market and business validation for commercial potential. - EIT Food Accelerator Network Programme (EIT FAN)
ACCELERATE: for registered (pre-) seed startups with traction indicators looking for tech validation and business acceleration to drive the ultimate goal: a successful market adoption. - EIT Food RisingFoodStars Association
SCALE: for aspiring scaleups looking to successfully upscale their commercial capabilities for rapid growth.
Applications are now open and will close on 26 March 2023. Applicants will be assessed for suitability in April 2023 and the final selection will be announced by May 2023.
Benoit Buntinx, Director of Business Creation at EIT Food, said: “To help build a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all, we need to create connections right across the food ecosystem, empowering entrepreneurs to develop new ideas and innovations.
“The Entrepreneurship Programmes offer European entrepreneurs unparalleled support and networking, helping to bring about true innovation in the agrifood sector. Thanks to our unique European powerhouse of corporate partners, research institutes, decision makers, experts and investor networks, EIT Food is able to connect startups with the right resources at the right time.”
In 2022, EIT Food received over 600 applications from over 30 countries, and supported more than 120 startups that attracted €407 million of public and private investment.
For further details on how to apply, visit the EIT Food website.
