EIT Food Accelerator Network (EIT FAN) is proud to announce its 2025 cohort, welcoming 65 pioneering startups selected from hundreds of applications across
Europe and Horizon Europe-associated countries. As one of Europe’s leading accelerator programmes, EIT FAN is designed to support startups and orchestrate an ecosystem of innovators, experts, investors, and corporates to transform the future of food.
At the heart of the programme lies a powerful idea: true change happens when you connect those who need innovation with those creating it and those who can fund and scale it.
“To truly shape our food system, we need more than innovation – we need bold collaboration. By bringing together startups, corporates, and research institutions under one roof, the EIT Food Accelerator Network creates a launchpad where game-changing ideas can evolve into real-world impact. At EIT Food, we foster collaboration between stakeholders who believe in a healthier, more sustainable food future to unlock the full potential of Europe’s and Horizon Europe’s food ecosystem.” – Benoit Buntinx, Director of Business Creation at EIT Food.
The EIT Food Accelerator Network amplifies the voice of innovation and acts as a bridge across the agrifood value chain, linking early-stage ventures with world-class research institutions, industry leaders and investors. The programme’s goal is to accelerate startups and create synergistic collaborations that drive innovation at scale.
“Our EIT Food Accelerator Network brings together change-makers from every corner of the food system. That’s what makes it so powerful – it’s not just about building businesses; it’s about building a new food future. We don’t just support startups – we integrate them into a wider innovation network.” Benoit Buntinx, Director of Business Creation at EIT Food.
Here are just some of the trailblazing startups from this year’s cohort:
Little Guts champions early-life gut health with innovative, natural pre- and probiotic products — laying the foundation for healthier futures by supporting babies’ gut development from the start.
Aqvita SRL is redefining hydration with a clean, accessible, and circular model that reduces CO₂ emissions, costs, and reliance on bottled water—bringing sustainable water solutions to all.
Searo Labs creates biodegradable, low-impact alternatives to conventional plastics and packaging, harnessing marine resources to cut dependence on fossil-based materials.
Carbon Cell Ltd. is on the cusp of a foam revolution with its compostable, high-performance alternative to traditional polymer foams—locking in carbon for centuries while remaining eco friendly.
NPHarvest Oy is transforming wastewater into value by reducing treatment costs and recovering nutrients to support local, sustainable food systems and cleaner water.
Endless Food Co. uses upcycling technology to protect the future of chocolate, unlocking the untapped flavour and nutritional potential of overlooked food resources.
AgriSound blends smart listening tech with proprietary AI to boost global crop yields through precision pollination, while also enhancing biodiversity with real-time habitat monitoring.
A&B Smart Materials is shaping the future of materials with smart, adaptive solutions that respond to environmental changes, driving performance, sustainability, and efficiency.
PoLoPo Ltd. pioneers molecular farming by producing animal proteins, like Ovalbumin, at scale in potatoes, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources.
Differential Bio GmbH is making microbial growth predictable and scalable through robotic lab automation and AI-powered insights, revolutionising biomanufacturing efficiency.
Messium empowers wheat farmers with instant nitrogen analysis at the click of a button, helping optimise yields and protect crops from above with confidence and ease.
Smart Farm Robotix Ltd. is revolutionising agriculture with AI-powered robots that handle key tasks such as planting, harvesting, and monitoring, boosting productivity and precision in the field.
Nutrition from Water is a Portuguese startup reinventing hydration with nutrient-rich water solutions. In partnership with global food leaders, they deliver accessible, complete nutrition for the future.
Rebread turns bread waste into innovation, offering biotech solutions that upcycle surplus bread into functional foods and beverages—advancing a more circular food system.
One Good Thing is a UK startup crafting energy bars with edible, beeswax-based wrappers. Tailored for cyclists, their zero-waste snacks combine convenience with a plastic-free mission.
To meet all the startups, please visit:
https://www.eitfood.eu/files/FAN/CohortAnnouncementBrochure2025.pdf
A Diverse and Visionary 2025 Cohort
The 2025 cohort of 65 startups is pushing boundaries across all dimensions of food innovation. There was great traction from startups across Europe and Horizon Europe associated countries, excited and committed to join the world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community. These startups were evaluated and selected from hundreds of applications, evaluated by over 60 industry experts based on their potential to disrupt the food system while aligning with EIT Food’s mission for health, sustainability, and transparency.
Their innovations align with the core themes of EIT Food FAN’s six thematic Hubs:
Circular solutions for food systems – Helsinki Hub, delivery partner University of Helsinki
New ingredients and bioprocessing – Paris Hub, delivery partner Shakeup Factory
Sustainable food packaging – Bilbao Hub, delivered by EIT Food
Future-resilient agriculture – Warsaw Hub, delivered by EIT Food, co-funded by EBRD
Resilient supply chains & reducing scope 3 emissions – Munich Hub, delivery partner Unternehmer TUM, TUM Venture Labs and XPRENEURS Incubator
Food as Medicine – Haifa Hub, delivery partner Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Backed by Europe’s Leading Food Industry Players
This highly curated programme connects startups, research institutions, investors, corporates, delivery partners and changemakers to create a unique ecosystem where agrifood innovation can flourish. Participants benefit from tech validation, mentorship, tailored programming, workshops and direct access to our incredible EIT Food Accelerator Network Corporate Programme Partners: AAK, Anadolu Efes, Avril, Barry Callebaut Group, Bayer AG, Carbery Group, Cargill, Corporación Hijos de Rivera S.L., Corteva Catalyst, Delta Cafés, Deutsche Tiernahrung Cremer GmbH & Co. KG, Hochland, ICL Group, Kerry Group, Lantmännen, Mars Petcare, Martin Braun-Gruppe, Mondelēz International, Pascual Innoventures, Pinc Paulig Incubator (Paulig Group), Peter Cremer Holding GmbH & Co. KG,
Raisio Group, Unilever Foundry and Valio. The Warsaw Hub is co-funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
“We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding startups into our 2025 cohort. Every startup in this cohort brings a spark of transformation, whether in sustainable packaging, regenerative agriculture, or functional nutrition. Our job is to fan that spark into a flame, offering the tools, mentorship, and community needed to ignite long-term success.” – Yulia Bodnar, Programme Manager, EIT Food Accelerator Network
A Proven Model with Growing Impact
Since 2018, EIT FAN has supported 348 startups across Europe, building a track record of growth, investment readiness, and commercial traction, providing them with the structure, community, and resources needed to thrive in a competitive global market – including a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on training, expert-led workshops, and access to exclusive industry events.
“The programme is designed not only to accelerate growth, but to embed startups in a purpose-driven ecosystem that drives sustainable, long-term change. By uniting startups, researchers, corporates, and investors, the EIT Food Accelerator Network serves as a catalyst for breakthrough ideas that will feed our future. The real power of the programme lies in its impact — seen through the success of EIT FAN alumni like constellr, delivering ‘A solution from Outerspace’, and Holloid, ‘Protecting public health with AI-powered water monitoring.’ These are just two examples of how innovation within our network is already shaping a better tomorrow.” – Marie Russier, Head of Entrepreneurship Programmes at EIT Food.
Innovations in Food (& Beverage) Technology is a quarterly magazine distributed globally both in Print and Digital formats. www.innovationsfood.com. Twitter: @Innovfoodtech. Instagram: @innovationsinfoodtechnology. Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terry-prior52
