Startups

Is your startup one of world’s Next Heroes in Food & Agtech?

F&A Next is all about innovation and connecting game changing Food & Agri tech startups and scale-ups to dedicated investors and innovative corporates. Aside from the many network opportunities that are offered throughout the event, we offer 10 most promising agrifoodtech startups a special opportunity to take the stage at the event and present themselves to the entire audience as ‘Next Heroes in Food & Agtech’. A great opportunity since our audience consist of an international and influential group of key stakeholders in the industry, including many investors, corporates and media.

We select 10 startups, of which 5 companies in foodtech and 5 in agtech. Will you be one of them?

You’ll have 3 minutes to present yourself on stage to the live and online audience, amongst which a small expert panel. After your presentation you have a 3-minute Q&A session with the expert panel.

If you are one of the startups to be selected, your benefits are:

  1. One free (in-person ticket to F&A Next, giving you access to key network opportunities.
  2. Pitching your innovations and solutions to leading corporates, investors, media, and other stakeholders that can help you grow.
  3. One-on-one Pitch Training with a professional pitch coach (optional)
  4. Pitch Deck workshop by Anterra Capital
  5. Media exposure: Your logo and short company profile with be shared with all event attendees and media.
  6. The distinguished title ‘Next Hero in Foodtech / Agtech 2023′
Bonus: Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award 2023

When applying for Next Heroes in Food & Agtech 2023, you can also immediately apply for the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award 2023. Wageningen University & Research and University Fund Wageningen invite innovative startups (<7 years) around the world to participate in the Sustainable Innovation Award in honor of Feike Sijbesma; a successful CEO, who made impact with sustainable innovations in his work as global corporate leader. The award helps advance science-based solutions with a winners grant of €25,000 and a free ticket to F&A Next for the three finalists.

The selection for Next Heroes in Food & Agtech and the Feike Sijbesma Sustainable Innovation Award 2023 is made independently. You could be selected for both, or one of the two initiatives. It’s a smart way to double your chances for a ticket to F&A Next and other great perks.

What previous 'Next Heroes in Food & Agtech' have to say!

Follow in the footsteps of the startups that were previously selected as ‘Next Heroes in Food & Agtech 2022‘.

"Having the opportunity to be on stage at a renowned event like F&A Next, gave us visibility with many high-quality investors and potential strategic partners. It was a valuable opportunity to boost our traction and visibility in the market, which supported us in successfully closing our 8.5M euro Series A, but also helped us recruiting high quality talent to the team."
Katelijne Bekers
co-founder & CEO of MicroHarvest
Apply if your startup is
  • working on a truly innovative product or technology with an application in food and/or agriculture.
  • aiming for impact at scale with a focus on sustainability (people, profit and planet)
  • anywhere from Pre-seed to Series B stage
  • actively looking for funding or partnerships

Needless to say, we only take your application into consideration when you meet the above qualification criteria.

How does F&A Next evaluate and review the pitch applications?

High-ranking startups exhibit the following evaluation criteria, so make sure to include all this information in your pitch deck!

A) Team Background
Exceptional domain and entrepreneurial experience

B) Business Model:
Company has a strong view on its revenue model, competitors, how to scale, customer acquisition and cost base. Company knows its margins and how it can improve as it scales

C) Market Opportunity:
High growth market opportunity and high barriers to entry

D) Product Innovation:
Concept is a game-changing approach to solving a problem or gap in the market

E) Product Validation & Traction:
Team is on track or building a successful business and is building something that consumers or the industry needs / wants. Company was able to raise external funds

F) Sustainability / Social Impact:
Concept is focused on the triple bottom line: people, profit and planet

Application deadline
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Applications close on Monday, 6 March 2023 at 12.00 pm Central European Time (CET).

How to apply?

Fill in the online application form, which you find by clicking on the following apply button.

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