Seedbed Programme

EIT Food is selecting Venture Builders across Europe to support science-based startups in Food & Agriculture!

EIT Food will appoint up to seven Venture Builders (VBs), which will continue to operate their own programmes independently. Startups participating in the Venture Builders’ programme cohorts may be eligible to apply for Seedbed subgrants, which will be awarded directly to the startups themselves.

Eligibility Criteria

Organisation

• Operating as a Venture Builder/Studio since at least 1 January 2023.
• Minimum 2 cohorts completed
• Majority of projects in Food & Agriculture.
• Experience collaborating with TTOs/RTOs.
• Legally incorporated in EU or Horizon Europe country for ≥2 years by 31 Dec 2025.
• Valid PIC number.

Application

• Complete, in English, submitted on time via portal.
• Include required budget and documentation.
• Adhere to EIT Food delivery structure.

Not Eligible

Entities failing above criteria, Russian entities, Hungarian public interest trusts, bankrupt or legally restricted organisations.

Timeline

If you want to learn more about this opportunity, you can follow the second Q&A Session on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. The Project Duration will be from March 2026 to December 2028.

Apply here!