Deadline: 26-Apr-2026
The EIT Food Grow Programme supports women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector through training, mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities. The 6-month programme is open to early-stage female founders in eligible European countries, offering up to €1,000 for participation costs and Demo Day prizes of €10,000 and €5,000.
Overview
The Empowering Women in Agrifood Grow Programme by EIT Food helps women entrepreneurs start or scale sustainable agrifood businesses.
It is designed for early-stage female founders and women with innovative agrifood ideas, offering practical support to strengthen business growth, leadership, and sector knowledge.
Funding Information
- Participation Support: Up to €1,000
- For costs such as travel and accommodation
- Paid in instalments based on participation and deliverables
- Demo Day Prizes:
- €10,000 for top performer
- €5,000 for runner-up
Programme Duration
- Length: 6 months
What the Programme Offers
Participants receive:
- Structured training
- Personalized mentorship
- Networking opportunities
- Access to investors, industry experts, and peers
- Support to refine ideas and scale businesses
Training Areas
The programme covers:
- Leadership skills
- Team management
- Public speaking
- Negotiation
- Time management
- Business skills
- Financial management
- Legal and IP knowledge
- Data management
- Market strategy
- Agrifood sector knowledge
- Agrifood trends
- Food security
- Supply chains
- EU regulations such as:
- Green Deal
- Farm to Fork Strategy
- Self-development
- Emotional intelligence
- Personal growth
- Operational business functions
- Marketing
- Logistics
- Finance
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to women living in eligible European countries who are:
- In the early stages of building a startup, or
- Running a business that has been registered for less than 3 years
Applicants should also have:
- Limited prior investment
- An innovative agrifood business idea or early-stage venture
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative helps address the gender gap in agrifood entrepreneurship by giving women access to the tools, networks, and visibility needed to grow.
It is especially useful for founders who need:
- Business guidance
- Sector-specific knowledge
- Mentorship and investor exposure
- Small financial support for participation
- Opportunities to pitch and win growth funding
FAQs
How long is the programme?
The programme runs for 6 months.
Is there any financial support?
Yes. Selected participants can receive up to €1,000 for participation-related costs like travel and accommodation.
Are there cash prizes?
Yes. Demo Day offers prizes of:
- €10,000
- €5,000
Who can apply?
Women in eligible European countries who are:
- Building an early-stage agrifood startup, or
- Running a business registered for less than 3 years
What kind of support is provided?
Participants receive training, mentorship, networking, investor access, and business development support.
Conclusion
The EIT Food Grow Programme is a strong opportunity for women entrepreneurs in agrifood looking to build or grow sustainable, innovative businesses.
With a 6-month support structure, up to €1,000 in participation support, and Demo Day prizes of up to €10,000, it is ideal for early-stage founders seeking skills, mentorship, and visibility.
For more information, visit EIT Food.