ArcticStartup

EIT Food Accelerator Network Helsinki Hub is searching for new startups to apply for 2022 programme

VTT-led Agri-FoodTech accelerator EIT FAN Helsinki Hub programme is organized for the third time this year together with main local partner University of Helsinki. 20 startups have already been supported by FAN Helsinki hub programme and to date, where those alumni companies have raised over €40 million in funds. The programme is completely free of charge for the startups participating in it.

The goal of EIT Food, the largest agrifood startup community in Europe, is solving the global food system challenges through science and technology-based innovations. The EIT Food Accelerator Network’s (FAN) role is to support science and technology-based startups to get their innovations and business growing together with mentors, experts and partners.

FAN programmes were run in six different locations last year: Bilbao, Cambridge, Haifa, Helsinki, Munich and Lausanne. This year FAN programmes have one new hub in Paris. Last year FAN Helsinki Hub got 80 applications from which 10 were selected to participate the programme. FAN Helsinki Hub provides startups mentoring, expert sessions and workshops, as well as connections and possibilities to do pilots with the partners.

Seven pilots altogether have been facilitated in the past years and this year the number of pilots is planned to be raised as it gives both startups and partners great value. Last year our partners were for example Valio, HKScan and Paulig, and this year we are happy to have new partner Lantmännen participating in our hub. Startups will also have access to a global partner network, including over 40 companies such as Danone, Pepsico, John Deere, Döhler and Zoetis.

“Lantmännen is excited to join EIT FAN Helsinki Hub. We strongly believe that, in the future, breakthrough innovations and disruptions require collaboration between different players in the agrifood ecosystem.

Therefore, we look forward to exploring opportunities together with the startups but also providing them with support and contacts,” says Nina Tuomikangas, Project Manager Innovation at Lantmännen Group R&D.

Aline de Santa Izabel recently joined VTT’s Incubation and Acceleration Team to manage this year’s program activities. With a broad experience within the foodtech innovation ecossystem at a European level, she has been part of the EIT Food network since 2020, when she participated in one of EIT’s flagship programs (Seedbed) with her foodtech startup YOGUT ME.

“It’s a pleasure to join the EIT FAN Helsinki Hub team! My aim is to accelerate the development of Nordic and Baltic startups by adding an entrepreneur/ startup perspective into the program design, customizing our support to the current needs from each startup.

I am looking forward to deploying my expertise and network throughout the program and I hope we will be able to achieve great results with this year cohort,“ says Aline de Santa Izabel, Senior Incubation and Acceleration Specialist at VTT.



Who can apply?

“We are now on the lookout for applications by innovative agrifood startups with a focus on sustainable agriculture or digital traceability. We accept applications from all pre-seed stage startups across Europe.

As the FAN Helsinki Hub is in the geographical proximity of the Baltics and Poland, we would love to welcome teams also from that area this year. Previously we have selected teams from Finland, Sweden, Belgium, and Austria,” says VTT’s Co-Creation Manager and EIT FAN Helsinki Hub leader Mirva Lampinen.

Application period is ending 28.2.!

Register and apply now: Accelerate | EIT Food Entrepreneurs

Come hear more about the programme on Thursday February 24th

Information Session – EIT Food Business Creation programmes Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

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