RisingFoodStars 2026

Europe’s agrifood sector is evolving rapidly, driven by founders developing solutions that strengthen the health, sustainability, and resilience of our food system. In this landscape, clarity and trust are essential. 

RisingFoodStars is EIT Food’s recognition for scaleups that have demonstrated not just potential, but the rigorous work and discipline required to scale with impact. The RisingFoodStars scaleup verification badge acts as a shorthand for company’s maturity, showing that the venture has gone through a structured, demanding process to strengthen its leadership, commercial model, investment readiness and system impact. Awarded to the strongest startups advancing from the EIT Food Accelerator Network, RisingFoodStars highlights companies that are ready for meaningful commercial partnerships, investment, and growth.  

RFS scaleup verification badge is earned, not granted. 

It represents ambition, excellence, and the proven readiness to grow with impact, advancing a more resilient and sustainable future for food in Europe.

Starting from 2026, the RFS scaleup verification badge will only be open to EIT Food Accelerator Network alumni, RisingFoodStars alumni and referred companies.

The RFS scaleup verification badge will be free of charged and based on merit as of 2026.

The benefits behind the RFS scaleup verification badge include: 

• Verified Recognition & Credibility: Through an independent evaluation by experts, corporates and investors, and a transparent scaleup maturity scan scoring and criteria, this recognition acts as a strong external signal of scaleup maturity to reduce investor and corporate due diligence at global level.
• Privileged Market & Capital Acccess: : The recognition comes with a growth plan including personalised mentorship and a yearly personal coach, dedicated workshops, access to corporate partners via dedicated support, access to EIT Food funding mechanisms, and priority access to premium on-demand sprints at discounted rate.
• Visibility and influence: Recognised scaleups will be given priority on event visibility and PR through EIT Food and its partners, will receive founder spotlights and media support and will be able to leverage their recognition seal on their social media, website and pitch decks.