EIT Food has unveiled the 65 start-ups selected for the 2026 edition of its EIT Food Accelerator Network (FAN), marking one of the programme’s most diverse and technologically advanced cohorts to date.

The chosen companies will join six specialised hubs across Europe, each focused on a critical area of agrifood innovation, from water‑smart systems to biotech ingredients and autonomous farming. Their arrival signals growing momentum behind Europe’s agrifood deeptech sector — and rising expectations for commercially viable, scientifically validated solutions.

Now entering its ninth year, the FAN programme has supported more than 500 start-ups, many of which have progressed to Series A and B funding rounds, launched new products or expanded into international markets. The 2026 cohort reflects that same ambition, bringing together early‑stage ventures developing technologies that address sustainability, resilience, productivity and supply‑chain efficiency across the food system.

This year’s start-ups will be distributed across six hubs, each aligned with a strategic technology domain shaping the future of food.

Catania will host companies working on water‑smart agrifood systems, Helsinki will focus on circular solutions, Munich will support smart and low‑carbon supply chains, Paris will specialise in biotech ingredients and processes, Wageningen will concentrate on digital and autonomous farming, and Warsaw will advance future‑resilient agriculture. The structure is designed to give startups access to targeted expertise, research partners and industry networks relevant to their specific innovation pathway.

What sets FAN apart is its emphasis on rigorous technology validation. Start-ups will build tailored technology roadmaps, compete for support to validate their solutions, and engage directly with research and technology organisations. They will also take part in open innovation challenges with corporate partners, ensuring their technologies are tested against real‑world industry needs rather than theoretical use cases. This milestone‑driven approach aims to help founders advance their Technology Readiness Levels and prepare for commercial deployment.

Collaboration remains central to the programme. Start-ups will participate in targeted matchmaking activities and work directly with major industry players including Bayer AG, Cargill, Danone, Mars Petcare, Mondelēz International, Corteva Catalyst, Valio and others. Through reverse‑pitching sessions, corporates will present strategic challenges and invite start-ups to co‑develop solutions — a format that reflects the sector’s shift toward demand‑driven, open innovation.

Benoît Buntinx, director of business creation at EIT Food, said the cohort represents the strength of Europe’s agrifood innovation ecosystem. “Transforming the global food system requires the synchronised strength of our entire innovation network. By connecting these 65 start-ups with world‑class research institutions, market gatekeepers and specialised investors, we provide the ecosystem integration they need to bring cutting‑edge science to market.”

Marie Russier, head of entrepreneurship programmes at EIT Food, emphasised the importance of validation for agrifood deeptech. “Agrifood deeptech requires uncompromised operational and scientific validation to survive the transition from laboratory to industrial scale. Our milestone‑driven accelerator programme addresses this challenge head‑on, enabling start-ups to rigorously validate their technologies and build investable, market‑ready ventures capable of delivering real impact across the food system.”

The 2026 cohort arrives at a time when innovation is increasingly critical to Europe’s competitiveness. With global population projections rising and food systems responsible for more than 10% of EU greenhouse gas emissions — alongside widespread soil degradation — the need for sustainable, scalable solutions is intensifying. FAN aims to accelerate technologies that address these pressures, from alternative ingredients and digitalisation to supply‑chain optimisation and climate‑resilient production.

By connecting start-ups across multiple regions and linking them with industry and investment partners, FAN continues to play a central role in strengthening Europe’s agrifood innovation landscape. The full list of selected start-ups is available via the EIT Food Accelerator Network website.

The full list of this year’s selected start-ups can be found here: EIT Food Accelerator Network |   | THE 2026 COHORT |   – FAN Cohort 2026