EIT FAN Helsinki (Food Accelerator Network)

EIT FAN Helsinki (Food Accelerator Network) operates as an innovative 2-3 month accelerator program delivered through a hybrid model across six specialized European innovation hubs. Each hub focuses on distinct themes critical to food system transformation: Helsinki concentrates on circular food solutions, Haifa develops food as medicine initiatives, Munich tackles supply chain transformation, Warsaw advances resilient agricultural practices, Paris pioneers new ingredients and bioprocessing, while Bilbao specializes in sustainable food packaging solutions. This pan-European structure enables startups to access regionally-specific expertise while benefiting from the broader EIT Food ecosystem.

The accelerator provides comprehensive support designed to help promising agrifoodtech ventures validate their technologies and enhance both investment readiness and commercial viability. Participating startups receive mentorship from industry experts, access to state-of-the-art facilities for product testing, connections to corporate partners, and opportunities to showcase their innovations to qualified investors. The program's ultimate objective extends beyond mere business growth—it aims to catalyze meaningful market adoption of solutions addressing critical challenges in the European and global food systems.

EIT Food, the organization behind this accelerator network, operates as Europe's leading food innovation initiative, backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). With over €400 million in funding support, EIT Food has built a robust consortium of 50+ partners from leading businesses, research centers, and universities across 13 European countries. The accelerator leverages this extensive network to provide startups with unparalleled access to market channels, scientific resources, and potential customers, creating a powerful launchpad for scaling innovative food technologies.

Investment focus within the accelerator spans across multiple stages, from seed to Series A, with particular emphasis on technologies addressing sustainability challenges, nutrition improvement, and supply chain efficiency. The program has successfully accelerated over 280 startups since its inception, with portfolio companies collectively raising more than €200 million in follow-on funding. Notable alumni include precision fermentation company Remilk, plant-based seafood pioneer Plantish, and food waste reduction platform Rubies in the Rubble. Startups selected for the program benefit from equity-free support while gaining visibility among EIT Food's extensive investor network, which includes prominent European venture capital firms specializing in foodtech and agtech investments.