CFAs: Disruption ’25 Open Innovation Program

The immersive open innovation program by Delta Ventures is designed to reinvent how drink, live, and connect. It’s a curated gateway for early-stage startups to co-create the next wave of coffee experiences, alternative beverages, and cultural rituals that resonate with new generations.

Focus Areas

• This year, they focus on new formats of consumption, culturally relevant rituals, and innovative products that resonate deeply with new generations.

Exploration Avenues

• Startups should align with at least one of their three exploration avenues:
  • New Coffee Flavors & Sensory Experiences
    • Flavor the unexpected. They’re looking for innovation in taste, storytelling, and sensory delight — drinks that awaken emotion, identity, and culture through bold and memorable experiences.
  • Alt-Coffee: Beanless & Beyond
    • Brew without boundaries. They seek sustainable, functional, and future-forward alternatives to traditional coffee – from plant-based to lab-cultivated, from adaptogens to molecular blends.
  • New Moments, New Rituals
    • Redefine when and why they sip. They want drinks designed for new consumption occasions – slower mornings, social evenings, mindful breaks – that turn daily habits into meaningful rituals.

Why Apply?

• Financial Fuel
  • €10,000 cash for the boldest startup – the winner.
  • They don’t just reward potential — they invest in it. The winning startup receives €10,000 to accelerate its next move. This is more than a prize – it’s momentum in motion.
• Pilot Acceleration
  • Selected startups go beyond the pitch: they co-create real pilots with Grupo Nabeiro.
  • Expect a fast-track to implementation, a paid pilot between €20,000–€50,000, and direct collaboration with key business units like Innovation, Marketing, Internationalization, and Retail.
• Growth Experience
  • You don’t grow alone.
  • At Disruption 25, your journey is amplified by a network of industry leaders, internal experts and founders who’ve done it before. Bootcamps are tailored to help you sharpen your story, expand your impact, and unlock opportunities. You’ll gain visibility inside one of Portugal’s most beloved consumer brands – and throughout its extended ecosystem.
  • You’ll gain visibility inside one of Portugal’s most beloved consumer brands – and throughout its extended ecosystem.

What are they looking for?

• They are seeking early-stage startups (TRL 6+) with:
  • A product or solution ready for real-world testing
  • A strong identity and clear cultural relevance
  • If you’re shaping how people sip, live, and connect — they want to meet you.

Eligibility Criteria

• To participate in Disruption 25, startups must meet the following criteria:
  • Be legally established and in operation
  • Have a product tested in real conditions (TRL 6 or higher)
  • Have at least one team member available to attend on-site activities and implement pilots in Portugal
  • Have the capabilities to scale post-pilot, including a solid team, robust tech, and financial stability

Selection Criteria

• Applications will be assessed based on:
  • Team – skills, experience, diversity, and resourcefulness
  • Innovation & Design – creativity, originality, user experience
  • Impact – value created for stakeholders
  • Business Model – commercial viability and scalability
  • Feasibility – technical, operational, and market-readiness

For more information, visit Delta Ventures.