Food-scalEUp presents key insights at Synergy Days 2024

With a focus on both established and emerging innovation regions, Food-scalEUp aims to strengthen ecosystem resilience by fostering collaboration and sharing best practices in digital acceleration for the food sector. The project’s five pilot regions—Galicia, Navarra, Normandie, Pays de la Loire, and Central Transdanubia—served as testing grounds for new acceleration methodologies, co-created with local partners to meet specific regional challenges. The exciting outcomes of these pilots were presented during a dynamic panel session at Synergy Days, moderated by Norbert Reichl from Food Processing Initiative (Germany). Representatives from each pilot region shared unique insights, challenges, and successes, highlighting best practices for supporting startups and scaling services to meet both local and European needs.

The Food-scalEUp project highlighted the significant value of connecting startups with medium-sized companies and corporates, creating mutual benefits: startups gain visibility and funding, while larger companies access insights and investment opportunities. "We’re redefining support by connecting startups directly with industry leaders," said Olga Romero from CEIN. Mathieu Le Gac from Startup Palace added, “In food, regulation and market complexities mean support can’t simply end with a match. It’s a journey that requires ongoing investment.”

CTRIA (Central Transdanubia) introduced their role as ecosystem "ambassadors," linking public and private sectors to build common interests and streamline ecosystem navigation. Ákos Szépvölgyi from CTRIA noted that this ambassador model sets a standard for fostering both local and international collaboration.

The panel discussion also set forth a compelling vision for how Food-scalEUp’s achievements can be sustained and expanded after the project’s conclusion. One of the key ideas for future exploitation is the establishment of a "connected hub" to support European startups in accessing international markets—an essential but often difficult step for emerging regions. “For smaller players, reaching global markets is a major hurdle. A well-structured, Europe-wide support hub could provide crucial infrastructure and open new doors,” explained Olga Romero from CEIN. This concept represents a significant opportunity to leverage Food-scalEUp's network and insights, creating an enduring ecosystem of support across borders.

To continue building on Food-scalEUp's momentum, the panelists outlined three strategic priorities for the project’s legacy:

These areas of focus will be further outlined in the project's exploitation plan, which is currently under development. The plan wil offer a pathway for Food-ScalEUps influence to extend well beyond the project timeline, ensuring that Europe's agri-food startups continue to benefit from a more interconnected and resilient ecosystem.

These areas of focus will be further outlined in the project's exploitation plan, which is currently under development. The plan wil offer a pathway for Food-ScalEUps influence to extend well beyond the project timeline, ensuring that Europe's agri-food startups continue to benefit from a more interconnected and resilient ecosystem.

While the Synergy Days unfolded in Barcelona, Food-scalEUp’s findings were also shared with StartLife at Foodvalley’s office in Wageningen, aligning with StartLife’s mission to foster growth in agri-food innovation. This parallel exchange supported valuable knowledge transfer between regional players, strengthening cross-border collaboration. Next, FoodvalleyNL will be present at Fi Europe, held from 19-21 November 2024 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany, and will use this occasion to share Food-scalEUp outcomes with a global audience in the food and beverage industry.