Emerging startups are at the forefront of revolutionizing food production, trade, and consumption, striving for a sustainable and healthy food system accessible to everyone. Supporting these ventures, EIT Food empowers them to make a substantial impact on the global food landscape.
These startups’ efforts are concentrated on achieving three critical objectives: fostering healthier lifestyles through food, creating a carbon-neutral food system, and establishing a fair and resilient food system that minimizes risk. EIT Food aids startups in these endeavors by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and funding, which has led to many achieving remarkable success in these areas.
Innovating for a Carbon-Neutral Food Future
With the food industry accounting for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, it’s imperative to transform the entire system to be more sustainable. This transformation involves addressing each stage of the food value chain to enhance sustainability.
A startup named Ekolive is tackling soil health, a critical component of our food systems. With over half of EU soils currently in poor condition, Ekolive’s pioneering eco-bioleaching technology drastically accelerates the soil formation process from centuries to days. This innovation rejuvenates the soil microbiome, boosts crop resilience, and enhances soil’s disease immunity.
GeoPard Tech, another startup, is empowering farmers to produce food more sustainably and manage their land to protect the environment. Their cloud-based analytics platform leverages big data and geospatial analytics to optimize agricultural production and soil management. As part of the EIT Food Accelerator Network, GeoPard Tech has partnered with key agricultural players to implement its technology successfully.
Bettaf!sh, a Berlin-based startup, is redefining food manufacturing by offering plant-based fish alternatives, such as their ‘TU-NAH Can’ made from regeneratively farmed European seaweed. Their product range has not only saved hundreds of tonnes of fish but also created sustainable opportunities for coastal communities in Europe.
Kern Tec is another Austrian startup, focusing on making our supply chains more circular. They upcycle fruit pits, which would otherwise end up in landfills, into valuable ingredients for plant-based dairy alternatives.
Addressing the need for companies to quantify and communicate their environmental impact, Finnish startup Biocode has developed a user-friendly carbon footprint calculator for food production. This tool aids companies in making climate-friendly choices and complying with the increasing EU regulations.
Empowering Healthier Choices Through Food Innovation
Healthier food options are becoming more accessible thanks to innovators who are developing nutritious and affordable alternatives. Revo Foods has made headlines with the world’s first 3D-printed plant-based salmon alternative, ‘The Filet’. Their product line, including a vegan octopus, is now available across many European countries.
Meeting the demand for plant-based ingredients, The Very Food Co has launched a plant-based egg white alternative, Very Aquafaba, in the European market. This allergen-free, shelf-stable product made from chickpea water is set to impact a diverse customer base in the food industry.
Vini Mini is addressing food allergies in children by providing products that allow for the safe introduction of allergens to babies, potentially preventing food allergies by up to 80%.
Advancing Fair and Resilient Food Systems
Our food system’s susceptibility to global crises has become apparent in recent years. Strengthening food security and safety is paramount, with transparency and traceability playing a key role in enhancing food efficiency and sustainability.
Microfy.AI, based in Barcelona, is introducing Honey.AI, the first intelligent microscope for on-site honey quality analysis. The company is also developing tools to improve bee populations and workers’ livelihoods by detecting beehive diseases.
Swiss startup Nectariss has developed a method to produce authentic truffle flavours through fermentation, offering year-round availability and full value chain transparency. Their innovation has led to substantial growth in their B2B customer base across Europe and the USA.
These ten groundbreaking startups have made significant strides within a year, showcasing the potential to create a real impact on the agrifood system. EIT Food continues to support their growth, connecting them with various stakeholders in the food ecosystem to shape the future of food.
