EIT Food Accelerator Network selects 65 startups for 2025 Cohort to drive agrifoodtech innovation across Europe

EIT Food has announced the 2025 cohort of its Food Accelerator Network (EIT FAN), welcoming 65 early-stage startups from across Europe and Horizon Europe-associated countries. The selection follows a competitive process involving hundreds of applications evaluated by over 60 industry experts.

EIT FAN, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), aims to drive transformation across the agri-food value chain by connecting startups with research institutions, corporates, and investors. The program is focused on addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the global food system, including sustainability, resilience, and nutrition.

“The launch of our 2025 cohort is more than just a list of startups,” commented Benoit Buntinx, Director of Business Creation at EIT Food. “It represents a growing movement to reshape our food future. We believe that real change happens when you connect those who need innovation with those creating it, and those who can fund and scale it.”

The 2025 cohort includes startups working on a broad range of food system challenges. Among them is Little Guts, a company focused on early-life gut health through natural prebiotic and probiotic formulations. Another, Aqvita SRL, is introducing a low-carbon, circular model for hydration designed to reduce costs and environmental impact. Carbon Cell Ltd. is developing a compostable alternative to traditional polymer foams, while PoLoPo is using molecular farming to produce animal proteins such as ovalbumin in potatoes.

Several companies are advancing food upcycling and circular economy models. Rebread is transforming bread waste into functional food and beverage ingredients, and Endless Food Co. is exploring underutilized resources in the chocolate supply chain. In the field of agricultural technology, AgriSound uses smart listening and AI to enhance precision pollination and biodiversity monitoring, while Smart Farm Robotix is deploying autonomous robots to support planting, harvesting, and crop management.

“The EIT Food Accelerator Network brings together changemakers from every corner of the food system,” Buntinx added. “It is not just about building businesses. It is about building a collaborative innovation ecosystem capable of delivering impact at scale.”

The accelerator program is structured around six thematic hubs, each led by a delivery partner with expertise in a specific area of food system innovation. The hubs and their focus areas are:

• Circular solutions for food systems – Helsinki Hub, led by the University of Helsinki
• New ingredients and bioprocessing – Paris Hub, delivered by Shakeup Factory
• Sustainable food packaging – Bilbao Hub, delivered by EIT Food
• Future-resilient agriculture – Warsaw Hub, delivered by EIT Food and co-funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Resilient supply chains and reducing scope 3 emissions – Munich Hub, led by Unternehmer TUM, TUM Venture Labs, and XPRENEURS Incubator
• Food as Medicine – Haifa Hub, delivered by the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

Each startup will participate in a tailored program including tech validation, expert mentorship, business development support, and access to corporate partners. Multinational companies backing the EIT FAN Corporate Partner Program include Unilever Foundry, Bayer AG, Mondelēz International, Cargill, Mars Petcare, Kerry Group, Barry Callebaut Group, and Lantmännen, among others.

Yulia Bodnar, Programme Manager for EIT FAN, emphasized the accelerator’s commitment to long-term value creation. “Every startup in this cohort brings a spark of transformation,” she said. “Our job is to fan that spark into a flame by offering the tools, mentorship, and community they need to succeed.”

EIT FAN also supports startups with structured training, workshops, and opportunities to connect with potential investors. Since its launch in 2018, the program has supported 348 startups, many of which have gone on to raise capital, scale operations, and form commercial partnerships. Notable alumni include constellr, which offers satellite-based climate data to support crop monitoring, and Holloid, an AI-powered platform for water quality analysis.

Marie Russier, Head of Entrepreneurship Programmes at EIT Food, said that the strength of the accelerator lies in its ability to link innovation with market-ready solutions. “We provide a structured environment where great ideas can become impactful businesses. The real power of the program is seen through the ongoing success of our alumni,” she said.

The 2025 cohort represents a wide spectrum of agrifood innovation, with strong participation from startups focusing on bioprocessing, packaging, water systems, robotics, and smart materials. Each company was selected based on its potential to address core EIT Food values: health, sustainability, and transparency.