EIT Food RisingFoodStars

EIT Food RisingFoodStars is EIT Food's annual scaleup acceleration programme for agrifood startups across the EU and associated countries. It sits inside EIT Food, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's food community, which is based in Leuven and backed by the European Union. The broader organisation says it provides about €70 million in direct financial support and works through a pan-European network of partners, so this programme is embedded in a much larger commercialization platform rather than a stand-alone call. The eligibility screen is for-profit only, with nonprofits, universities, research organisations, and individuals excluded. The structured record points to EU or UK registration, TRL 4 to 7, and a foodtech, agbiotech, or sustainability focus. Support is framed as grant-backed acceleration, while the wider EIT Food portfolio also includes Seedbed, EWA, Jumpstarter, and proof-of-concept co-financing, which shows how the organisation moves teams from early formation toward pilots and market entry. RisingFoodStars fits teams that already have a credible agrifood product and need scaleup support, network access, and a clearer route into customers. The 2026 cycle closed on May 11, 2026, so the practical question is the next intake rather than an open deadline. Applicants are best served by showing that their company is already past idea stage and can use EIT Food's network to sharpen commercial traction.

No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.