#Belgium #Leuven #Food Innovation #EIT Food #Corporate Partnerships

EIT Food Accelerator Network Announces Corporate Partners for 2025

The EIT Food Accelerator Network has officially revealed its corporate partners for the 2025 program aimed at transforming the food system through innovation. This exciting lineup of partners includes industry giants such as AAK, Avril, Barry Callebaut Group, Carbery Group, Cargill, and many more.

Strengthening the Ecosystem

Julia Bodnar, the Programme Manager of EIT Food Accelerator Network, expressed enthusiasm about the new partnerships. "We are delighted to welcome this promising group of companies into our network. Their unique industry insights and global reach greatly support our startups, aiding them in turning innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. By combining the established companies' expertise with the agility of startups, we aim to accelerate the development of sustainable and effective solutions in the agri-food sector."

Belen Moscoso del Prado, EIT Food Corporate Venturing Manager, also highlighted the role of corporate venturing in fostering collaboration between leading market players and innovative startups in the agri-food sector across Europe. "Through our EIT Food Accelerator Network, we create a dynamic environment where businesses can test innovative solutions, validate technologies, and form strategic partnerships that can yield measurable benefits for all of us. We are excited to welcome our new corporate partners into our ecosystem, and we look forward to the groundbreaking innovations that will emerge from these collaborations."

Focus Areas and Activities

The corporate partners of EIT Food Accelerator Network have the opportunity to engage with the most innovative AgriFoodTech startups. They can explore collaboration prospects that could profoundly impact the future of their businesses. Opportunities include reverse pitch sessions, matchmaking events, and technology validation cases, allowing direct access to startups both online and during in-person meetings.

Corporate partners can customize their involvement in the program by selecting one or two out of six hubs, each focusing on different areas of innovation:

• - Circular Solutions for Food Systems (Helsinki Hub)
• - Food as Medicine (Haifa Hub)
• - Resilient Supply Chains and Scope 3 Emissions Reduction (Munich Hub)
• - Farming Resilient to Future Challenges (Warsaw Hub)
• - Novel Ingredients and Bioprocessing (Paris Hub)
• - Sustainable Food Packaging (Bilbao Hub)

In 2024 alone, EIT Food Accelerator Network facilitated over 70 joint pilot studies and organized more than 1,300 meetings between corporations and startups. Corporate partners interested in developing pilot projects or creating Proof of Concept (PoC) can also benefit from PoC co-funding support provided by EIT Food, aimed at minimizing innovation risks and accelerating the market implementation of breakthrough solutions.

Impact on the AgriFood Sector

Since its inception, the EIT Food Accelerator Network has played a pivotal role in transforming the agri-food sector. By supporting over 350 AgriFoodTech startups so far, many innovative technologies and modern business models contribute to building a sustainable and resilient food system. The application process for this year's edition of the EIT Food Accelerator Network is nearing closure. AgriFoodTech startups working on innovative solutions have until February 28, 2025, to submit their applications, providing them a chance to join the largest and most dynamic community focused on the agri-food sector worldwide.

For more detailed information, visit the EIT Food Accelerator Network's official website.