Call for Empowering Women in Agrifood Advanced Programme 2026

The programme focuses on strengthening commercial readiness, investor readiness, corporate partnerships, and scaling capabilities of women-led agrifood ventures. Thematic priorities include resilient agriculture, protein diversification, and biotechnology, aiming to drive systemic change across Europe’s food system while improving access to funding, networks, and growth opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Up to ten selected female entrepreneurs will join a cohort running between September and December 2026. Participants will receive tailored support, including expert-led training, personalised one-to-one mentoring, networking opportunities, and direct connections with investors, corporates, and ecosystem stakeholders. Structured sessions will cover commercial strategy, investment readiness, corporate engagement, and scaling, alongside dedicated mentoring to refine growth plans and prepare ventures for expansion.

The programme offers two rounds of funding. The first round provides a subgrant of up to €1,200 per participant to support costs associated with programme activities. The second round includes prizes awarded at the Demo Day event, with first-place winners receiving €20,000 and second-place winners receiving €15,000 to accelerate business growth. Participants will also gain exposure to the European startup and innovation ecosystem, including investors, business angels, innovators, corporates, and industry representatives.

Eligibility is open to women representing legally incorporated entities registered in or after 2016 in Horizon Europe eligible countries. Applicants must have developed an innovative agrifood product or solution with a minimum TRL-4 and have gathered investment or achieved sales. Applications must be complete with all mandatory documents, including a pitch deck.

For more information, visit EIT Food.