Startups
F&A Next
F&A Next
F&A is all about the future of our food system. Startups represent this forward-looking vision, and each year we select ten promising young companies to participate in the Next Heroes in Food & Agtech program. Five of them competed in the early-stage category (pre-seed to seed), and five in the later-stage category (Series A/B). Additionally, […]
Rival Foods, one of our 2024 Next Heroes in Food & Agtech, raised €10 million in a Series B funding round. The scale-up was founded in 2019 by Birgit Dekkers as a spin-off from Wageningen University & Research. The €10 million investment round was led by pension investor APG, also present at last year’s edition […]
By 2050, there could be as many as 1.2 billion climate refugees, people who would be displaced due to the rise in weather and natural disasters. 20% of these individuals are expected to migrate from Africa and Asia to other regions, such as Europe or North America. With many more areas of the world being […]
Another edition of F&A Next goes into the books! On May 21 and 22, we welcomed over 800 attendees for the 10th edition of our summit, hosted in the Omnia building on Wageningen University & Research (WUR) campus. The participants brought energy and good vibes, contributing to the discussion we care the most about: the […]
At the tenth edition of F&A Next, Agrobiomics and Vivici were announced as the winners of the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award 2025. Agrobiomics harnesses the power of nature to make agriculture more resilient to climate change. Vivici develops sustainable dairy proteins through precision fermentation without animal sources. The winners both received a prize of […]
The Next Heroes in Food & Agtech program is one of the highlights of the F&A Next summit. It is our platform to spotlight disruptive ideas and game-changing companies. Our high-quality jury has selected the 10 startups that will participate in the program. Three of the jurors are Richie Gray, VP and global head of […]
The phrase “From seed to shelf” is often used by Jan Doldersum and Mike Poodt when discussing Rijk Zwaan. The breeding company develops new vegetable and fruit varieties, and sells them to professional growers worldwide. In this article, Jan and Mike share their vision on how collaboration with startups can accelerate innovation towards sustainable food […]
Yanmar Ventures, a business partner of F&A Next, has announced a strategic investment in Zordi, a pioneering US-based AgTech startup. This investment aims to fast-track the development of cutting edge, AI-driven robotic solutions designed to enhance the economic viability of greenhouse farming while promoting the production of high-quality, sustainable produce. Zordi is redefining autonomous greenhouse […]
Regenerative agriculture is rapidly moving from buzzword to a cornerstone of global food system transformation. As climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving consumer demands reshape agriculture, investors increasingly seek solutions that provide both environmental benefits and long-term economic value. The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), the first venture capital impact fund focused solely on the […]
The global food system must become more sustainable, and alternative proteins are key to reducing its environmental impact. Dutch company Protix is leading the way with circular solutions, such as turning food waste into insect-based proteins. To support their global expansion, Invest International provided Protix with a €1 million development loan to explore the feasibility of […]
At the cutting edge of food tech, three startups are turning their visions into impact—on farms, in oceans, and deep within the ingredients themselves. They are part of a growing ecosystem of innovators challenging what’s possible in how we grow, produce, and consume food. From rethinking the role of the cow to digitising the path […]
Nikki Trott is a brand strategist and advisor for leaders creating a positive impact through thriving businesses. After years of working as a strategist and marketeer in the fashion industry, she understood that what she was doing wasn’t in line with her inner self. So, she changed her life, leaving her job and the city […]
21 and 22 May, F&A Next sets the stage for a sustainable revolution in the food industry by showcasing ten of the world’s most innovative agrifoodtech startups. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies like precision fermentation, AI, and remote sensing, these entrepreneurs are ready to unveil their groundbreaking solutions live. The startups are divided into Pre-seed/Seed (early stage) […]
They are based in the same location–the Plus Ultra II building on the Wageningen University campus–and share a passion for accelerating technology and innovation in creating a sustainable food system. Each brings a different perspective, knowledge, and network to the F&A Next table. We are talking about StartLife, Foodvalley, and the Wageningen University & Research […]
At F&A Next, industry leaders, innovators, and experts come together to explore the future of food and agriculture. Here are three must-see speakers who shape the future of agrifood through innovation, sustainability, and scientific breakthroughs. 1. Ana Piekarz – Transforming Food Systems Addressing Consumer Preferences and Policy Environment As Director Global Nutrition at Kraft Heinz, […]
This is an article from our Catalyst Partner Invest-NL. Entrepreneurs with innovative and impactful ideas or products that aim to scale up often encounter barriers. Overcoming these challenges requires more than just funding. That is why, in addition to investing, Invest-NL focuses on market development and the development of innovative financial products. By leveraging specific […]
One of the secrets behind F&A Next’s success is the team of organizing partners. Five institutions, each bringing a different perspective and skillset to the table, but with a common interest in the future of food and agriculture. In this two-episode series, we sat down with them to reflect on their journey as part of […]
Artisans, innovators, and opinion leaders. The impact of chefs goes way beyond the restaurant kitchen walls, argues Michelin-starred chef Emile van der Staak. “Chefs can create a new food culture, because they are excellent craftsmen and innovate on the job. When we use our mastermind to valorize a plant-based protein, one opens up to a […]
A disrupting idea, a talented and motivated team of people, and hundreds of hours of work. That’s the story that many startups that passed through F&A Next have in common. Two such examples are our former Next Heroes in Food & Agtech Orbisk and Jord BioScience, thriving scaleups that recently raised millions of funding to […]
In 36 years of serving in the British army, Lieutenant General Richard Nugee experienced many conflict situations. In Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to name a few. The last part of his military career was devoted to one special operation: reviewing the UK Defense’s climate change and sustainability approach. Thanks to his work, he gained international […]
The global agrifood system faces mounting challenges—from climate change and environmental degradation to geopolitical tensions—threatening food security worldwide. Building resilience requires a transformative approach, adapting agriculture to climate impacts and driving sustainability in food production. Startups, scale-ups, investors, scientists, and corporates, but above all, collaborations between those are essential for accelerating innovation and driving impactful […]
In 2024, NL tech companies raised €3.1 billion in venture capital, up 47% from 2023, despite barriers to growth. The food sector did exceptionally well. It grew around 12% of the total VC investment and tripled its share of last year. Regarding the workforce, enterprise software leads employ 13% in the Netherlands, followed by food […]
F&A Next is the place for food and agriculture technology innovators to meet and connect, but it is also a moment to award some of the rising companies in this space. We offer 10 startups the unique opportunity to take the stage and present themselves to the audience as one of the world’s Next Heroes […]
Orbisk, a Dutch scaleup committed to reducing food waste using AI technology, has secured over €8 million in an oversubscribed Series A venture capital investment. The new partner, Regeneration VC, led the round and was co-led by the existing partner, PeakBridge. Other investors are new partner Kost Capital, early investors DOEN Participaties and Brabant Development […]
