For impact-driven agritech and food-tech startups looking for tech validation and commercial acceleration.
Ask Us Anything: Find Out More About the EIT Food Accelerator Network & the Application Process
Join our live webinar to discover how the EIT Food Accelerator Network supports high-potential AgriFoodTech startups in validating their technology and strengthening go-to-market and investment readiness. Learn about the programme structure, eligibility criteria, and how to apply — and get your questions answered directly by our team.
APPLY FOR OUR 2026 EIT FOOD ACCELERATOR NETWORK PROGRAMME
Applications are opened!
Shape & validate your product technology development roadmap thanks to top-notch master classes, 1:1 coaching, connection to relevant facilities & experts, and networking to support a successful market adoption. Deadline: 8th April 2026, 12pm CET.
EIT Food Accelerator Network provides a 3-month curated acceleration launchpad for AgriFoodTech startups, delivered in a hybrid format across six innovation Hubs across Europe. Each Hub focuses on a strategic theme addressing key challenges within the food system:
Catania - Water-Smart Agrifood Systems
Helsinki – Circular Solutions for Food Systems
Munich – Smart and Low-Carbon Supply Chains
Paris - Biotech Ingredients, Products and Processes
Wageningen - Digital & Autonomous Farming Solutions
Warsaw – Future-resilient Agriculture
EIT Food Accelerator Network provides structured acceleration enabling startups to:
Validate their technology
Strengthen their market and investment readiness
Advance their product development
Refine their pitches and business model
Demonstrate potential to earn the RisingFoodStars BeyondScale recognition
Why join the EIT Food Accelerator Network programme?
Taking part in this programme gives startups access to the three value pillars defined in the entrepreneurship model, helping them to strengthen their technology and investment readiness and accelerate commercial success.
Targeted product development and commercial validation through expert mentoring and pilot projects with industry partners
Exclusive access to corporates and investors to fast-track traction and funding conversations
Ongoing access to the EIT Food ecosystem and alumni network to maintain growth momentum beyond the programme
To apply for the EIT Food Accelerator Network programme:
You must be a registered company established in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated countries (NB; this includes the UK) in or after 2016
Your business innovation must be underpinned by a technology with a prototype, or pilot project (paid or unpaid) with TRL 4-8
It must also fall under one of EIT FAN’s themes
Your company must be pre-series A, with revenues up to €1 million and a team, no more than 20 people
Ideally, you will have successfully completed customer validation
Ideally, you will be able to demonstrate traction, for example, through letters of support, sales, or signed letters of intent
Switzerland and UK-based companies are eligible to apply. However, eligibility for funding will be determined based on Switzerland’s and the UK’s eligibility status for EU funding at that time.
RisingFoodStars BeyondScale is EIT Food’s recognition for scaleups that have demonstrated not just potential, but the rigorous work and discipline required to achieve it.
The RisingFoodStars BeyondScale certification acts as a shorthand for a company’s maturity, showing that the venture has gone through a structured, demanding process to strengthen its leadership, commercial model, investment readiness and system impact.
Awarded to the strongest startups advancing from the EIT Food Accelerator Network, RisingFoodStars BeyondScale highlights companies that are ready for meaningful partnerships, investment, and growth.
Companies that achieve RisingFoodStars BeyondScale status gain:
A trusted signal of credibility recognised across the agrifood ecosystem
Enhanced visibility within EIT Food and its corporate, investor and policy networks
A stronger position in investment conversations
Access to high-value strategic opportunities with industry leaders
RisingFoodStars BeyondScale reflects the depth of work companies put in during their journey with EIT Food, and the level of readiness they’ve built as a result.
Our 2025 Cohort
Meet our 2025 EIT Food Accelerator Network cohort of 65 groundbreaking startups from across Europe and Horizon Europe-associated countries, selected from hundreds of applications with the support of 60+ industry experts!
“The EIT Food Accelerator Network programme was the best fit for what we do. A great forum to validate our approach and a massive platform, which will be useful through our entire company journey. We chose EIT Food Accelerator Network programme for its credibility, useful connections, stamp of approval from the EU and fantastic network of people.”
“The EIT Food Accelerator Network programme was a natural next step for us to grow and prepare for commercialisation journey. To test our business model and ideas in a safe pan-European space was extremely important to us before entering the market. Thanks to the programme we learned, adjusted our perceptions and developed accordingly. The mentors were just excellent, and I have learnt so much from them.”
“For Fermentful's development taking part in the EIT Food Accelerator Network programme was a huge milestone to accelerate the business and create strong network around it. I'm grateful for the opportunity, the EIT Food Accelerator program is a very respectable in the food industry, being a part of it adds credibility for the new player in the market and it can help you massively in terms of fund-rising, R&D, commercialisation and high-end connection creation.”
“Connections and contacts are so important in agri-food sector. EIT Food brings you the perfect ecosystem for you to connect and meet the perfect partners. Thanks to the EIT Food Accelerator Network programme we are now in touch with a massive community of experts, professionals, mentors, startups and investors for both commercial exchanges and business opportunities. Since taking part in the programme we have manage to double our revenue, create 2 new products and are now starting to scale-up the production.”
“The EIT Food Accelerator Network programme gave us the tools to prepare our startup to find an investor and the funds needed to support the next steps. We chose this programme, because of its mentors, its AgriFoodTech ecosystem, connections and the visibility and exposure it offers to startups with possible investors.”
Successful applicants access master classes, mentoring and product tech development support, culminating in a Tech Validation Case pitch
FAQs
Do I have to be located in the same country as one of the programme Hubs?
No, you don’t! EIT FAN operates in different locations across Europe, and the programme is delivered in a hybrid format (a combination of in-person and online events). Each startup team is asked to select a Hub and theme most appropriate for them as part of the programme application process.
What is the time commitment for startups taking part in this programme?
To take advantage of all that the EIT Food Accelerator Network has to offer, our Hubs facilitate the programme in person and online. Despite offering a hybrid and flexible approach, we DO expect at least one team member to remain active and to be fully engaged with the programme during its entire term (2-3months of programme spread between September and November). The mandatory events to attend are Tech Validation Pitch event (online), Demo Days, thematic corporate workshop and EIT Food flagship event.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are evaluated based on the understanding of the food system challenges, its commercial solution, and your company’s fit with our ecosystem and partners. Equally important is the potential impact of the innovation, its technology readiness, the business model, its USP, and the dynamics of the founding team. Please refer to our programme Terms & Conditions for more detailed information.
Who are the evaluators?
All evaluators engaged in different stages of the programme experienced entrepreneurs and experts from the agriculture, food and tech industries.
How much funding does this programme offer?
The EIT Food Accelerator Network programme offers a €3,000 grant for each startup to cover their travel expenses during the programme.
Additionally, each startup is offered an opportunity to compete for funding of up to €50,000 to implement their tech validation project. Closer to the end of the programme, each Hub will organise a Tech Validation pitch event to determine three startups that will receive funding of 50,000, € 30,000 or € 20,000. This funding will be awarded through a Simple Agreement For Future Equity (“SAFE”) instrument.
What makes EIT Food Accelerator Network unique compared to other accelerator programmes?
Supported by the European Union, we provide direct access to experts who fundamentally understand the commercial potential of science and technology in the agrifood sector. You will be joining the world’s largest agrifood startup community and receive continuous support from other like-minded entrepreneurs, with endless opportunities to share knowledge and work closely with our world-leading industry partners whilst getting attention from investors.
How do you support EIT FAN Alumni?
At the end of the programme, each cohort team is automatically enrolled as EIT FAN Alumni and then invited to pursue opportunities for pilot projects and follow-on funding. There is also the possibility to apply for the RisingFoodStars Seal of Excellence which unlocks more strategic, leadership-driven support via investment readiness, commercial readiness and visibility boost designated tracks.
What is the application deadline?
8th April 2026, 12pm CET.
Do you require more detailed information?
For more detailed information about the EIT Food Accelerator Network, please refer to the programme Terms and Conditions.
Any questions? Contact our Food Accelerator Network Programme Lead
Alexandra R. Kyvik
EIT Food Accelerator Network Programme Lead and Senior Accelerator Programme Manager
Be the first to hear about news, programme highlights, funding opportunities, key milestones, top tips and events that support your innovation and entrepreneurial journey.
