Closing the Women TechEU Chapter: Celebrating Agrifood Innovators and the Programme’s Impact
As this Women TechEU cycle concludes, it presents a valuable opportunity to look back at the achievements of the programme and spotlight the exceptional women‑led deep‑tech startups creating impact across Europe’s agrifood ecosystem.
This edition of Women TechEU has been one of the most ambitious to date. Across its four calls, the project supported 160 women‑led deep‑tech companies, backed by €12 million in equity‑free grants to accelerate their technologies out of the lab and into the market.
The final Open Call alone attracted a record-breaking 1,107 applications from 43 eligible countries, the highest in the programme’s history. After evaluation, 40 winners representing 20 countries were selected, including 8 from widening countries, the largest share so far.
The programme continues to be a critical launchpad for deep‑tech women founders working at the intersection of science, industry and sustainability. EIT Food was proud to support this effort as a key partner by providing mentorship, ecosystem access, visibility and agrifood‑specific expertise.
Below, we celebrate the Women TechEU winners whose projects are directly contributing to a more sustainable, efficient and resilient agrifood system.
🌱 P‑Agro Minerals (Latvia)
P‑Agro Minerals is addressing a major challenge for wastewater treatment plants under EU Directive 2024/3019: meeting strict phosphorus discharge limits. Their innovation, Letonite, is a circular mineral material that captures phosphorus from wastewater and repurposes it as a nutrient for agricultural soils.
🌊 Kybele’s Garden (Türkiye)
Kybele’s Garden is redefining microalgae’s role in food production. Their fermentation‑based approach produces nutrient‑rich, climate‑friendly algae derivatives applicable as natural colourants, alternative proteins and ingredients for vegan and functional foods.
🌾 SeaSoil Biopolymers (Poland)
SeaSoil Biopolymers transforms agricultural and food waste into a next‑generation biomaterial with properties comparable to polypropylene. The material is biodegradable in soil, sea or forest environments, leaving behind compost and micronutrients.
🤖 GrodiTech (Spain)
GrodiTech develops an autonomous robotic system for detecting and treating greenhouse pests and diseases. Using AI‑driven diagnostics and precision spraying, the robot provides 360º monitoring and treatment, reducing costs while improving yield and crop health.
🐝 Oligofeed (France)
Oligofeed develops micronutrients that support pollinator health, particularly bees, which play an essential role in food production. Their patented bee‑feed ingredient is the result of nine years of research and more than 1,300 tests with beekeepers across Europe and the US.
Programme Outcomes: What Women TechEU Achieved This Cycle
This cycle of Women TechEU delivered measurable impact across Europe:
- 1,107 applications received in the 4th call, the highest in the programme’s history.
- 43 eligible countries participated, confirming strong pan‑European reach.
- 40 winners selected in the final call, representing 20 countries.
- 8 winners from widening countries, the highest recorded so far.
- Sector representation (winners):
- 47.5% AI & Machine Learning
- 35% Biotechnology, Life Sciences & Agritech
- 17.5% Sustainable Energy & Greentech
- 15% Advanced Materials
- 7.5% Advanced Manufacturing
- Across all calls, €12 million invested supporting 160 companies.
These numbers demonstrate the depth, diversity and maturity of Europe’s women‑led deep‑tech landscape, and the vital role Women TechEU plays in supporting it.
Looking Ahead
As the Women TechEU programme closes this chapter, one thing is clear: the founders supported this cycle are not only advancing cutting‑edge technologies, they are strengthening Europe’s food systems, circular economy, climate resilience and scientific competitiveness.
EIT Food is proud to have contributed to their journey by building bridges between innovation, industry and impact. The work of these agrifood innovators will continue to evolve, inspire and shape a more sustainable future for all.