EIT Food Venture Summit

EIT Food, Europe’s leading food innovation initiative supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), today launches a search to find the next 100 agrifood entrepreneurs who can transform the food system to be healthier, innovative and more sustainable.

The search for the 2021 cohort, comes following news that EIT Food has provided more than €10 million in direct financial support across its Business Creation programmes in 2020. This support has helped entrepreneurs to grow and scale their impact faster – from help with market testing new ideas, providing access to experts, connections to corporate partners across the food industry, and support with investors. Last year, successful EIT Food startups raised more than €91 million in external investments as a result of the programme.

The food system faces major challenges if the world is to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and adhere to the Paris Agreement climate targets. Yet, less than 4% of startups in Europe are in the agrifood space, creating a huge market opportunity for innovators, investors and entrepreneurs alike.

From aspiring entrepreneurs with new business ideas across universities and education centres, to early stage startups and scaleups wanting to expand internationally, EIT Food is looking for ideas and businesses across European markets, designed to have the highest impact when shaping the future of food, and aligned with the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy. The search focuses on new ideas across six key focus areas; sustainable agriculture, sustainable aquaculture, alternative proteins, digital traceability, circular food systems and targeted nutrition.

In the first ever virtual EIT Food Venture Summit, on 17 and 18 November 2020, investors and corporates will be able to explore commercial partnerships and investment opportunities with 130+ high-impact startups and will hear pitches from a select group of some of EIT Food’s existing partners and entrepreneurs. Interested new startups will also have an opportunity to learn about flagship programmes and connect with other agritech leaders.

Sign up to the Venture Summit via the EIT Food website.