2021 edition and testimonials
Summary of 2021 TeamUp edition
In 2021, EIT Food launched the first edition of the TeamUp programme. In the first edition, we received over 280 applications from interested candidates out of which we selected 63 innovators from 15 countries to join the Matchmaking stage of TeamUp.
During the Matchmaking month, participants were networking online, testing their relationship through business scenarios, pitching, and learning more about their own values and ambition. At the end of the Matchmaking stage, 18 matches were made between tech innovators with agrifood solutions and business professionals. Out of this cohort, EIT Food selected 15 newly created teams to continue into the Exploration stage of the programme.
During the 3-month Exploration stage, the teams focused on exploring and testing their match. They were supported with business and team formation training, a monthly stipend, as well as coaching from 20 world-class business and team building experts.
At the end of the programme, all teams had a chance to compete for the prizes of €40,000, €25,000, €15,000, and €10,000. The jury awarded the prizes to startups with the most impactful agrifood solutions and the most promising teams (read more about the TeamUp 2021 winners here).

Such a great way to find the right people to grow your company! This is really exciting and helpful programme for startups and I am grateful that I could be a part of it and found somebody with the same goals and motivation.
TeamUp is the right place to take your project to the next level, while you grow during the path. Our business proposition was enriched thanks to the excellent feedback given by our coaches and the other participants. Furthermore, we learnt how important is having an aligned team to succeed. Highly recommended!!
TeamUp programme has given me and my business partner a chance to bring our business idea into reality. They guided us to a clearer path within 6 months of the programme with the help of world-class mentors. Thank you TeamUp, it was a wonderful experience!
TeamUp has been a great experience, not only for all the sessions and coaches but also for the amazing community of people involved in the programme. It has helped me identify which type of co-founder could be suitable for the company. The assignments were extremely useful to really define your business idea. Totally worth it!
This innovative programme gave me the opportunity to meet with excellent people and get exposed to so many new ideas from all over Europe. It guided me through all the steps to match with my friend and business partner, mentored both of us, and helped us establish our startup and empower our innovation to reach the market.
I started the TeamUp programme looking for a food scientist for my circular food system project. I ended up meeting an amazing team in the agritech field that I would have not met otherwise. The Exploration phase allowed us to get to know each other and for me to realize the added value of my network in the field.
Brilliant programme with great content! Excellent coaches and top lecturers helped our newly formed startup team a lot.