The selected startups cover a range of innovative areas, including sustainable agriculture and sustainable aquaculture.
EIT Food is supported by an EU body, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
EIT Food reported that more than 500 start-ups from the EU and its associated countries were evaluated online by experts from the agri-food industry. In April, the top 120 firms advanced to the second round of evaluation, where shortlisted startups were invited to present their solution to the evaluation panel during a technology deep learning session, which resulted in the selection of the 61 most promising companies.
“These startups have gone through a rigorous and comprehensive vetting process to assess their innovative potential, commercial viability and positive impact on our food system.”Marie Roussier, Operations Manager at EIT FAN, said.
She added that about 25% of applications came from female founders.. “It’s good to see that percentage is increasing every year.”
Focus on the feed industry
As an innovator in the feed industry, MicroHarvest, based in Germany, is a biotechnology that uses bacteria to produce protein. The company claims to do this much faster than current approaches. Single cell protein (SCP) and its derivatives can be used throughout the protein value chain, from animal feed to direct use in food and pet food.
The Norwegian company GreenTech Innovators has developed a method for pre-treatment of food waste using biotechnology to improve the use of carbohydrates and produce a nutrient medium for single-cell protein fermentation and algae for use as feed in aquaculture.
The British company INSPRO uses the insect, Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), to bioconvert food waste and by-products into animal feed.
sustainable fish farming
Speaking to companies focused on sustainable innovation in aquaculture, France-headquartered LISAqua claims to have developed a process to produce antibiotic-free and polluting-free shrimp on land-based indoor aquaculture farms.
MonitorFish, a start-up from Germany, has developed a digital aquaculture assistant designed to improve decision making and secure the future of fish farming. The company said the tool helps fish farmers achieve an optimal growth strategy while providing a healthier fish population with less dependence on chemicals and antibiotics.
How the program works
The 61 startups selected to participate in EIT FAN 2022 will be distributed among six parallel programs: Munich (Germany), Haifa (Israel), Paris (France), Bilbao (Spain), Helsinki (Finland) and Cambridge/Reading (UK) . ).
The partner selection process connects startups with industry-leading corporate and research partners. In addition, selected startups benefit from the EIT FAN curriculum and an unparalleled network. The curriculum has been developed by leaders in the agri-food and agri-food sector to ensure that participating startups move from early stage to impactful innovators.
Christoph Mandl, Head of Corporate Venture Business at EIT Food, said: “By the end of this year’s program, we expect a new record number of start-ups and established companies to enter into partnerships, for example in the form of joint developments, pilot projects and/or commercial agreements.”
