Test Farms

We plan to invite min. 30 startups from Southern and Central and Eastern Europe. If the proposed solutions will be very promising we might extend the amount of available spots.

We have capacities to service max. 6 startups from Western Europe and other Horizon Europe Associated Counties.

We offer test beds in Finland, Poland, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Under Test Farms participants can conduct tests in one country with selected farmer.

We don’t take any equity.

Participation in Test Farms for entities from Southern, Central and Eastern Europe and Nordics is free of charge.

Entities from Western Europe and other Horizon Europe Associated Countries can join the Test Farm and benefit from the match-making and expert support provided by EIT Food. The cost of these services is 4500 EUR.

Entities from Southern, Central and Eastern Europe and Nordics can apply for financial assistance of up to 3000 EUR to offset their programme costs.

It all depends on the type of solutions you offer. Some solutions can be tested only once in the season (e.g. machine used for corn harvest). Software solutions are usually long-term tested and demand more time from you. For sure we will need your time&presence once you are selected for the programme to discuss details of tests with farmer, agronomist and EIT Food. Based on agreed stipulations, you must save time also for drafting pilot plan.

Applications are assessed based on the understanding of relevant agriculture challenges, innovativeness, and the stage of solution`s development that allows it to be tested/validated during the Test Farms. Equally important are the dynamics of the founding team and whether required tests under Test Farms makes sense for the product development.

Please refer to our programme Terms and Conditions for more detailed information.

All evaluators are experienced agronomists, industry experts and EIT Food staff from the agriculture or innovation fields.

Test Farms has a straightforward value proposition aiming at testing solution on real farmland with 1:1 firsthand support from farmer and local agronomist. No business coaching, no mentoring, no working on business model canvas.

Yes, you can.

To answer all questions properly you will need 45-90 min. The actual application includes approximately 30 questions. We need to understand your technology, the stage of its development, team and details of your testing requirements to start searching for best-fit farmer. Please note that the pitch deck need to be submitted as well. If this is not ready yet and up to date then that will take additional time to prepare.