Deadline: 28-Feb-22
Have you got an innovative technology that has the commercial potential to revolutionise the food system? If yes, then this programme could be for you!
The Seedbed Incubator Programme, a six month programme that aims to transform science and technology based innovations, that can help solve global food system challenges, into market-validated businesses.
The programme is delivered by world-class EIT Food partner organisations, operating from different regional hub locations Europe.
The Seedbed Incubator operates in locations that account for five different hub regions across Europe, and the programme modules are delivered in a hybrid format. In most cases, teams are assigned to the hub that’s nearest to them for the convenience of networking. However in certain cases teams can also choose the most appropriate hub for them in terms of their specialism, and they review this on an individual case.
Focus Areas
These six focus areas are aligned with and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They represent the most promising areas where EIT Food, together with the startup community, can drive long-term positive change to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.
- Alternative proteins: Protein is a key issue for the future of the food. If they are going to feed the fast-growing global population, then they need to find sustainable ways of producing new, high quality, safe and healthy proteins.
- Targeted nutrition: The latest advances in areas like nutrigenetics, gut microbiota and metabolomics mean they can now adapt what they eat to take account of both overall population traits and the own lifestyles, allergies, and intolerances. This can significantly improve the health.
- Digital traceability: New technologies including blockchain, the internet of things, and food sensing technologies, are making it easier to digitalise traceability. This can improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of food, so increase consumer trust.
- Sustainable agriculture: Crop and livestock productivity will both have to increase in order to meet the future food needs. They’ll need to do so sustainably because food production has a significant impact on the global environment, producing approximately 26% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide (Science, 2018).
- Sustainable aquaculture: Aquaculture could meet up to two-thirds of global seafood consumption by 2030, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO, 2014).
- Circular systems: They need to move away from the current linear model of ‘make, use, and dispose’, to a circular food system where they use resources more efficiently and re-use side and waste streams.
Benefits
The Seedbed Incubator offers funding of up to €6,000, along with the opportunity to access follow-on EIT Food funding and support through EIT Food’s Impact Fund.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered eligible for the programme, applicants must:
- Be a resident, citizen or legal entity based in a Member State of the European Union (EU) or Europe associated countries once confirmed;
- Note that: countries currently under the process of associating to Horizon Europe, including Swiss and UK citizens and companies are eligible. However, eligibility to receive funding will be determined based on the third country’s eligibility status for EU funding at that time;
- Be actively looking to bring to market an innovation underpinned by deep science, engineering and/or technology at a readiness level 4 (“technology validated in lab”) and customer readiness level, with the basic business idea formulated that can be validated on the programme;
- Join the EIT Food Entrepreneurs community and submit a fully completed application in English through the online platform by the deadline communicated via the website, including all requested documents;
- Be set to make a big impact on any part of the agriculture or food supply chain thus committed to building a healthier, more trusted and sustainable food system;
- Be committed to the programme – they expect active, consistent engagement in the programme and attendance at mandatory trainings and workshops.
For more information, visit https://entrepreneurship.eitfood.eu/launch/