Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument
EIT Food facilitates corporate innovation by connecting world-leading industry with impactful agrifood startups. The purpose of the PoC Co-Financing Instrument is to financially de-risk the commercial activities of agrifood startups that will ultimately result in impactful technologies, products, and services reaching the market and scaling further in the food sector.
Usually, the first step towards a long-term collaboration between a startup and a potential corporate customer is a proof-of concept or small-scale pilot project. Once this kind of experiment was deemed successful from both sides, it will ideally lead to a bigger scale pilot project or the start of commercial activities. The extra support that EIT Food can offer at this stage is to financially de-risk startup-corporate experiments in an attempt to promote the commercial success of their solutions.
EIT Food is looking to de-risk startup corporate collaborations. In this context, EIT Food targets proof-of-concepts and small-scale pilot projects between startups and prospective corporate clients with less than €100k in project costs. Proposed projects must exhibit a clear pathway towards commercial success. Project activities should therefore be strictly related to deliver on the proof-of-concept or pilot project proposed together with the corporate client. Example projects include but are not limited to: Sample creation, field trials, functionality and property tests, & efficiency assessments.
The submission deadline is 30/11/2025 with the following cut-off dates:
Cutoff date 1: 30/06/2025
Cutoff date 2: 31/07/2025
Cutoff date 3: 30/08/2025
Cutoff date 4: 30/09/2025
Cutoff date 5: 31/10/2025
Cutoff date 6: 30/11/2025
After each of the cutoff dates, submitted applications will be evaluated by expert panels.
Are there any requirements regarding the location or size of the corporate client counterpart?
There are no restrictions on the geographic location of the corporate client. As for size, we do not apply a strict definition of “corporate client.” However, the minimum size requirement excludes entities that fall under the European Commission’s definition of an SME.
Do Proof of Concept (PoC) or small pilot projects with universities or Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) qualify for this call?
No. This call is specifically intended to support collaborations between startups and corporate partners, with the goal of accelerating time to market.
Is co-funding required? Is there a repayment mechanism or any equity commitment?
No, this initiative does not involve an investment or success-sharing model. As a startup, you will be the sole beneficiary of a sub-grant. There is no requirement for co-funding, repayment, or equity commitment.
What is the corporate client's contribution?
EIT Food will provide up to €100,000 in grant funding, covering 100% of the project costs for successful applications. EIT Food will then establish a service agreement with your corporate client, invoicing them for 60% of the project costs (up to €60,000).
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