Seedbed 2026–2028 Call for Venture Builders

Seedbed Programme: Call for Implementing Venture Builders (2026–2028)

1. Overview

• Issuer: EIT Food
• Programme: Seedbed
• Title: Request for Seedbed Programme Implementing Participants (2026–2028)
• Objective: Select Venture Builders across Europe to support science-based startups in Food & Agriculture through a new subgrant scheme.
• Call Deadline: 11 February 2026
• Total Funding: €525,000
• Funding per Venture Builder: €25,000/year (max €75,000 over 3 years)
• Project Duration: April 2026 – December 2028
• Contact: Ian Collingwood (ian.collingwood@eitfood.eu)
• Application: Submit via myeitfood.eu

2. Scope & Activities

• EIT Food will appoint up to 7 Venture Builders (VBs).
• The selected Venture Builders continue to run their own programmes.
• Eligible projects in their programme cohorts may apply for Seedbed subgrants.
• Seedbed subgrants will be awarded directly to startups.
• Light-touch reporting and ongoing communication with startups are required.

3. Eligibility Criteria

Organisation:

• Operating as a Venture Builder/Studio since at least 31 Dec 2025.
• Majority of projects in Food & Agriculture.
• Experience collaborating with TTOs/RTOs.
• Legally incorporated in EU or Horizon Europe country by 31 Dec 2025.
• Valid PIC number.

Application:

• Complete, in English, submitted on time via portal.
• Include required budget and documentation.
• Adhere to EIT Food delivery structure.

Not Eligible: Entities failing above criteria, Russian entities, Hungarian public interest trusts, bankrupt or legally restricted organisations.

4. Evaluation Process

• Eligibility check → External evaluation (3 external + 1 internal) → Interview.
• Scoring:
  • Excellence 35%
  • Impact 25%
  • Implementation 15%
  • Strategic Fit 25%
• Threshold: Total weighted score ≥ 3.0.
• Appeals allowed within 5 days for procedural issues.

5. Timeline

Call opens – 02 Dec 2025

Q&A Session 1 – 16 Dec 2025

Q&A Session 2 – 13 Jan 2026

Deadline – 11 Feb 2026

Evaluation – 13 Feb - 9 March 2026

Notification – 10 March 2026

Standstill/onboarding – March 2026

Project start – 10 April 2026

Register for the Q&A webinar:
December 16th: https://eitfoodhive.eu/networks/events/194940
January 13th: Https://eitfoodhive.eu/networks/events/197079

6. KPIs & Deliverables

Core EIT KPIs:

• EITHE04.4: Startups created
• EITHE06: Investment attracted
• EITHE02.4: Marketed innovations

Internal Indicators:

• Programme satisfaction rate
• Number of eligible subgrant applications per VB

Deliverables:

• Annual outreach and statistics report.
• Communication and dissemination plan.
• Adherence to IP and visibility rules.

7. Funding Conditions

• Max subcontracting: 30%.
• No subgranting to third parties.
• Funding under GA 01101912; Horizon Europe rules apply.
• Payment in instalments linked to deliverables and KPI achievement.
• Monitoring and audits possible; underperformance may lead to funding withdrawal.

8. Support & Legal

• Onboarding required for new entities (PIC validation, legal agreements).
• Contracts: Framework Agreement, KAVA Contract, Consortium Agreement (recommended).
• EIT Food will provide access to tools like TeamUp, corporate venturing networks, facilities, and investment team.