Bilbao Campus Experience Closes With A Successful First Edition

Bilbao hosted the first-ever Bilbao Campus Experience, an immersive entrepreneurship programme aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the agrifood sector. For one month, 12 international agrifood startups from nine countries — including Italy, Poland, Hungary, Argentina, Serbia, Türkiye, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Bulgaria — immersed themselves in the Basque entrepreneurial ecosystem at B Accelerator Tower.

On 28th November 2024, the programme concluded with a closing ceremony hosted by EIT Food, celebrating the achievements of the participants and the programme’s contributions to opening market opportunities and fostering business connections.

The closing event was inaugurated by Javier Medrano, Manager of Bilbao Campus Experience, who mentored the participants throughout the programme. Medrano presented an overview of the programme’s outcomes and invited the startups to showcase their businesses and share insights gained during their month-long journey.

The participants were 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, and Zero Wave from Bulgaria.

José María Montiel Varea, Business Project Manager at BEAZ, gave an insightful overview about the existing opportunities within the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, outlining how startups can scale their businesses in the region.

The event also featured 2 case studies by EIT Food alumni, Francisco Kuhar – CSO by Innomy – and Iker García – AOTECh, offering participants a glimpse into potential next steps.

EIT Food's commitment to entrepreneurship was underscored by Juan Ignacio Zaffora, who introduced further opportunities within their entrepreneurship programmes. To conclude the event, Begoña Pérez Villarreal delivered a motivational speech, celebrating the programme’s achievements and hinting at the potential for a 2025 edition of the Bilbao Campus Experience.

This first edition successfully laid the foundation for ongoing collaborations and strengthened the Basque Country’s reputation as a hub for agrifood innovation.