EIT Food and Corporación Hijos de Rivera launch call for innovative startups to revolutionise the beverage industry

EIT Food, in collaboration with Corporacion Hijos de Rivera, has launched Impact Sips, an innovation programme designed to deliver positive impact in the beverage industry by innovating functional ingredients that deliver real, measurable impact on health and well-being.

The programme invites startups to collaborate on integrating groundbreaking new ingredient innovations into non-alcoholic beverages.3

Impact Sips 2025 Challenge

The Impact Sips challenge is seeking startups working on integrating functional ingredients innovations into non-alcoholic beverage that enhance:

• Active lifestyles: Ingredients that support energy, endurance, and recovery.
  
• Brain health and wellbeing: Enhancing focus, stress management, and cognitive function.
  
• Gut health: Improving digestion and microbiome balance.
• Disease prevention: Supporting immune health and metabolic function.

The programme gives startups the opportunity to work with one of Spain’s most innovative beverage companies, scale technology, and gain real market exposure.

Following its B Corp certification in January 2024, Corporación Hijos de Rivera – the family-owned international beverage group behind brands like Estrella Galicia and Cabreiroa mineral water – is strengthening its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. 

Who can apply?

Impact Sips is open to high-potential startups that meet the following criteria:

• Functional ingredient with scientific validation – Ingredients must have strong scientific evidence proving their health benefits.
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – Startups with a validated functional ingredient applicable to beverages.
• Seed to Series A stage – Companies that are ready to scale.
• Market-Tested – Startups that have undergone initial consumer validation, pilot experience, or market testing.
  

A serious commitment to startups

Impact Sips is designed for meaningful collaboration, ensuring that selected startups receive tangible benefits beyond visibility. 

Shortlisted startups will be invited to a Demo Day at Corporación Hijos de Rivera’s headquarters in A Coruña, engaging directly with 20+ top company decision-makers.

Finalists coming to the Demo Day will receive:

• €5,000 cash prize (equity-free) to support their startup.
• Opportunity for a Pilot Project with Corporación Hijos de Rivera, to bring their solution to the market.
• Evaluation for potential investment by VOI, HDR’s Corporate Venture Capital.
• HDR Drink Set – A curated selection of Hijos de Rivera’s premium beverages.

Up to two winning startups will receive additional support including:

• €25,000 equity-free grant (total) to accelerate their growth.
• One full day of Deep Dive at Corporación Hijos de Rivera, including evaluation, mentorship, and hands-on collaboration with HDR’s team.
• Cultural & Gastronomic Experience in Galicia, immersing in HDR’s heritage and business culture.
• Travel packages for up to three people.

Key dates

• Call for Applications Opens: March 17th
• Application Deadline: April 23rd
• Short list Announcement: May 21st
• Short list Online Session: June 27th
• Final Selection Announcement: 1st July
• Demo Day Briefing: 15th September
• In person Demo Day at HDR Headquarters: TBC (IIQ October 2025)
• Final Winner Selection & Deep Dive Week: November 2025 (Q4 2025)