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Excel4Pro Acceleration Programme – Accelerate Your FoodTech Innovation with Excel4Pro (1st Cycle)

October 5 - November 30

Excel4Pro Acceleration Programme – Call for Applications 

Accelerate Your FoodTech Innovation with Excel4Pro

Are you developing an innovative solution in the FoodTech or agri-food sector? 

The Excel4Pro Acceleration Programme is designed to support entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups and innovation-driven teams in developing promising FoodTech solutions and strengthening their pathway towards validation, commercialisation and market uptake. 

Organised within the Horizon Europe-funded Excel4Pro project, the programme combines entrepreneurship and sector-specific training, tailored mentoring, expert support and a final Demo Day, bringing participants together with expertise from across the Excel4Pro consortium and the wider FoodTech innovation ecosystem. 

The programme will be implemented through two acceleration cycles. Applications are now invited for the first cycle of the Excel4Pro Acceleration Programme.

Focus Areas 

Applications should demonstrate clear relevance to FoodTech and/or agri-food innovation. The programme particularly welcomes solutions addressing areas such as: 

  • Plant-Based Proteins and Novel Foods; 
  • Food Processing and Product Development; 
  • Agri-Food Innovation; 
  • Bioprocessing and Fermentation Technologies; 
  • Digital and Enabling Technologies for FoodTech; 
  • Sustainable Food Technologies and Packaging; 
  • Other innovative technologies and solutions supporting the FoodTech and agri-food ecosystem. 
Who Can Apply? 

The programme is open to:

  • Individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial teams; 
  • Researchers and research teams; 
  • Students and student teams; 
  • Start-ups and spin-offs; 
  • SMEs developing innovative solutions relevant to the FoodTech and agri-food sectors. 

Applicants do not need to have an incorporated company at the time of application. 

The programme primarily targets participants from the three core Excel4Pro hubs Türkiye, Greece and Ukraine while applications from other European countries are also welcome. 

The programme particularly encourages early-stage innovations, including solutions at idea, proof-of-concept, prototype and MVP stages. 

Solutions within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–6 constitute the programme’s primary target. However, TRL 3–6 will not be applied as a strict eligibility threshold.

How to Apply 

Applicants should complete the official Excel4Pro Acceleration Programme Application Form and submit all required information. 

As part of the application, candidates will be required to provide an initial pitch deck presenting their innovation or venture. 

Applications will initially be assessed through an eligibility check rather than a competitive ranking process. All applicants meeting the eligibility requirements may participate in the Training Programme. 

Please note that participation in the Training Programme does not automatically guarantee selection for the Mentoring Programme or the Excel4Pro Demo Day. 

Read the information about the Acceleration Programme here: Excel4Pro_ Acceleration Programme Call for Applicants

Download the pitch deck template: Excel4Pro_Startup_Pitch_Deck

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