12 agrifood startups have started today in the new immersive entrepreneurship programme Bilbao Campus Experience
The selected startups have already implemented their business idea. Among them are a plan-based alternative to sashimi to prevent overfishing, snacks made from spent grain left over from beer production, and natural solutions to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Today, the new Bilbao Campus Experience entrepreneurship programme, organised by the European consortium EIT Food, was launched. 12 agrifood startups have been selected to take part in an immersive business experience over the next three weeks.
Held in the heart of Bilbao at the B Accelerator Tower (BAT), the programme is designed as an entryway into the Basque Country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and aims to expand the participants' reach in both national and international markets.
The programme will serve as a post-accelerator for startups that have already implemented solutions, offering “a transformative, individualised journey focused on the specific needs of each participant, enabling direct interaction with potential suppliers, clients, investors, and industry leaders,” explained Begoña Pérez Villarreal, Managing Director of EIT Food for Southern Europe.
Participants will also benefit from personalised support, expert mentorship, and a collaborative community where they can share experiences and provide mutual support.
Bilbao Campus Experience is supported by the Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries of the Basque Government, alongside the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.
Iker Iglesias, Director of Quality and Food Industries at the Basque Government, attended the launch of the programme and emphasised “Initiatives like this provide an excellent stage for rapid and sustainable growth, with solutions that are in high demand within Basque society. This programme is an outstanding reference for such efforts.”
The need for a significant generational shift to welcome young professionals from various social and economic sectors into the agrifood industry.
Joseba Mariezkurrena, Director of Entrepreneurship, Talent, and Business Competitiveness at the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, highlighted that “our society needs this entrepreneurial spirit to continue growing. Bizkaia is one of Europe’s best regions for launching and growing a startup.
Over the past few decades, our economy has undergone a significant transformation, with R&D as a cornerstone of our industry. I hope this environment makes today’s participants feel at home and enjoy a productive experience.”
I hope this environment makes today’s participants feel at home and enjoy a productive experience.
Meet the 12 selected startups participating in the BCE
For this first edition, 12 agrifood startups from 9 countries have been selected, each receiving up to 3,000 euros for travel and accommodation to begin this experience in Bilbao.
Selection criteria included the innovation of their solutions to sector challenges, their impact, level of maturity, and team solidity.
- Bluana Foods from Italy
- PreservaCoat from Poland
- Nannobubbles Europe from Hungary
- SpaceCrop from Hungary
- Circular Powder from Argentina
- Atfield Technologies from Serbia
- FarmLabs (Agro4) from Türkiye
- MEGenzymes (Alfa9) from Poland
- TropicStream from the Czech Republic
- BeeSweet from Portugal
- Proofminder from Hungary
- Zero Wave from Bulgaria
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