EIT Food has unveiled the 2026 RisingFoodStars Verified Scaleups, recognising 18 of Europe’s most promising agrifood ventures that have demonstrated commercial traction, operational maturity and readiness to scale responsibly.

The announcement marks a significant moment for Europe’s innovation landscape as policymakers, investors and industry leaders intensify efforts to close the continent’s long‑standing scaleup gap.

A cohort signalling Europe’s scaleup momentum

The new RisingFoodStars group brings together high‑potential agrifood innovators operating across climate resilience, resource efficiency, healthier diets and sustainable production.

These companies have earned the RisingFoodStars Scaleup Verification Badge, a trusted indicator of scaleup maturity assessed across leadership strength, commercial model, operational readiness and growth potential.

Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food, emphasised the urgency of Europe’s scaleup challenge: “Europe has the science, the talent and the entrepreneurial ambition. What we need now is the courage to move faster, scale bigger and work together more effectively.”

He added: “Europe won’t close the scaleup gap through individual breakthroughs alone. We need stronger innovation ecosystems that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, industry and policymakers.”

Closing Europe’s scaleup gap

Europe’s difficulty in scaling high‑growth ventures is well documented. Between 2008 and 2021, nearly 30% of European unicorns relocated outside the EU, and only 8% of global scaleups are based in Europe. RisingFoodStars aims to counter this trend by providing a sector‑specific verification layer that helps investors and corporates identify ventures that are ready to scale — not just pitch.

Since its inception, the programme has supported 178 scaleups, whose alumni have collectively raised €930 million, commercialised 43 innovations, achieved seven exits and created 1,233 jobs across Europe.

Alumni include Redefine Meat, Mosa Meat, Verley, Infinite Roots and NoPalm Ingredients — companies now recognised as leaders in Europe’s agrifood innovation landscape.

What verified scaleups gain

The 2026 cohort receives privileged access to EIT Food’s innovation ecosystem, including:

• Capital access — priority routes into funding mechanisms and investor networks
• Corporate partnerships — facilitated connections across the agrifood value chain
• Personalised growth support — coaching, mentorship and investment‑readiness guidance
• Market visibility — PR, events and founder‑focused exposure
• International expansion — help navigating market‑entry pathways beyond Europe

This year’s programme places particular emphasis on global expansion, supporting scaleups as they explore new markets, regulatory environments and commercial partnerships outside Europe.

Strengthening Europe’s agrifood innovation ecosystem

The RisingFoodStars recognition is part of EIT Food’s renewed Entrepreneurship Pathway, designed to accelerate ventures that combine scientific excellence with commercial viability. By providing a credible verification mechanism, the initiative helps investors and corporates identify scaleups capable of delivering real‑world impact across the food system.

As Europe works to build a more sustainable, resilient and healthy food future, the 2026 RisingFoodStars cohort demonstrates how science‑driven entrepreneurship can help address climate challenges, improve resource efficiency and support healthier diets at scale.