Expression of Interest for Venture Studio Founders 2026 Grant
In context
This call is open to startups, small and medium-sized businesses and individuals and 1 other, at idea and R&D stage, pre-seed and seed stage. Funding is a grant. Coverage is read from the notice itself: the European Union.
EIT Food is calling for expressions of interest from ambitious entrepreneurs to build new agrifood tech venture studios in Europe's underserved regions. It is aimed at founders who want to lead studios that create and scale agrifood startups.
About this grant
EIT Food is seeking ambitious entrepreneurs to build a new generation of agrifood tech venture studios across Europe's underserved regions, under the Expression of Interest for Venture Studio Founders. The programme is run through Seedbed Foundations, a venture builder for new venture builders, which seeks experienced entrepreneurs who want to create a venture studio capable of founding and supporting a generation of agrifoodtech companies in their region. Successful applicants would work with one of seven established European venture builders, learning from their experience while developing the foundations of their own independent studio. The process includes a three-month Development phase in which participants must engage their local ecosystem, build relationships and secure real commitments from investors, universities, researchers, government, commercial partners and experts. The Development phase is unpaid and the page describes the process as demanding and competitive. Participants who make sufficient progress may apply for a EUR 30,000 grant to establish their studio. Once established, studios can apply for up to EUR 300,000 in co-funding from EIT Food over the first two years to support operations and the creation of first startups. This Expression of Interest itself carries no funding; future funding will be awarded through separate calls open to those who have completed prior selection steps.
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Eligibility
Applicants should be experienced entrepreneurs seeking to build a new venture studio in agrifood tech. The programme targets regions described as RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) countries and Europe's underserved regions. Specific organisation types, residency requirements and prior-recipient rules are not detailed on the page beyond the referenced call guidelines and FAQ PDF.
How it's scored
The page states that the selection process is demanding and competitive and that progress during the three-month Development phase determines who may apply for the EUR 30,000 studio grant. No explicit scoring criteria, weightings or panel composition are disclosed on the page; these may be in the downloadable call guidelines.
Key requirements
- ✓Applicant must be an ambitious entrepreneur or founding team proposing a venture studio model
- ✓Studio must target agrifood tech and operate in Europe's underserved regions
- ✓Submit an expression of interest by the 2026-12-07 deadline
Funder contact
The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- How much funding does EIT Food offer?
- Expression of Interest for Venture Studio Founders offers $330K.
- When is the Expression of Interest for Venture Studio Founders deadline?
- Applications close 7 Dec 2026.
- Who can apply for Expression of Interest for Venture Studio Founders?
- Eligibility covers organisations in EU; startup, sme, individual, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.
Relevant sectors
About this sector
Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.
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