Program

FoodSeed is an ambitious program with “high performance” content focused on building solid Italian startups with global ambitions, capable of competing with startups from more developed agri-food ecosystems.

It is a unique six-month program, with a tailored work plan for each startup and a top-level work methodology focused on ensuring the startup’s success in the market and the achievement of the necessary investment for its development.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for startups with innovative and sustainable technologies and solutions, to be applied and implemented along the entire agri-food value chain, from farm to fork.

AGRICULTURE AND PRIMARY PRODUCTION

New forms of indoor and outdoor cultivation. Technologies that promote …
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MORE INTELLIGENT AND SUSTAINABLE DISTRIBUTION

Introduction of new business models with a strong digital base to respond…
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IMPROVED NUTRITIONAL PROFILE AND CLEAN LABEL

New solutions that promote consumer health benefits…
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DEEP TECH APPLIED TO THE AGRIFOOD SYSTEM

Application of deep tech technologies to the agri-food value chain…
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NEW PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Technologies and infrastructures for generating a new food value chain with…
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SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN AND PACKAGING

Solutions that promote a more sustainable value chain with a lower impact on….
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The call for the 2nd Batch is closed!

What we offer

Selected start-ups will have a senior team with over 20 years of international experience and a network of partners who will accompany the start-ups to ensure the technological development and consolidation of their solutions, as well as access to pilots and partnerships, offering the opportunity to collaborate with the most innovative national and international companies in the food sector.

Accelerazione

Acceleration

6-month "hands-on" acceleration program with a customized work plan for each startup, weekly follow-up

Open Innovation

Open Innovation

possibility to collaborate with industry companies to test and scale the solutions developed through proof of concept (POC).

Accompagnamento post-programma

Post-program accompaniment

ongoing support and access to the mentoring network to complete the program.

Investment

€170K

equity investment for each of the selected startups. Possibility of follow-on up to

€500K

for the most performing startups that complete the program.

Timeline

The selected startups embark on a 6-month journey consisting of:

February-March

February-March

Call For Startups

March

April

Project selection

April - September

May - September

Acceleration Program

September

October

Demoday

FoodSeed 1st Batch 2023

 

Why in Italy

1st place

European ranking of added value in agriculture

25% of GDP

agri-food sector in Italy

€538B

value of the Italian agrifood value chain

Who we are

Foodseed is the Italian Foodtech Accelerator of the National Accelerator Network of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, promoted by Fondazione Cariverona and UniCredit to support and stimulate the growth of Italian startups in the Foodtech sector through effective and sustainable initiatives.

Partners and Investors

Promoter and Co-Investor

Since 1991, Fondazione Cariverona has activated and supported projects of social utility and promoting economic development. Our daily challenge is to promote innovation and generate change by leveraging territorial value. With interventions carried out directly or through calls for tenders and disbursement sessions, we invest in projects that are consistent with the priorities established in the Annual and Multiannual Planning Documents, our strategic guidance and planning tools. We assess projects in terms of the coherence and reliability of the proposers, their ability to read the need and impact on the territory, the sustainability of the project, and we pay particular attention to the results achieved and the impact generated. www.fondazionecariverona.org

Promoter and Co-Investor

UniCredit is a pan-European commercial bank with a unique service model in Italy, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. Our Purpose is to provide the communities we serve with the levers for progress, offering the best answers to the needs of all our Stakeholders and unleashing the potential of our customers and people in Europe. We serve more than 15 million customers, who are at the heart of what we do in all our markets. UniCredit is organised into four main geographic macro-areas and two product factories, Corporate and Individual Solutions. This allows us to be close to our customers by leveraging the Group’s scale to offer an excellent range of products. Digitalisation and our commitment to ESG principles are key factors in the service we offer. They help us deliver excellence to our stakeholders and create a sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our people. www.unicreditgroup.eu/it

Accelerator and Co-Investor

Eatable Adventures is one of the leading global food tech accelerators, with over 50 annual corporate and government programs, 10 incubation and acceleration programs, a flow of 3.000 food tech startups analyzed every year, and activities in 4 continents. The company identifies, promotes, and invests in the most disruptive startups that promise a significant impact on the agri-food value chain, through successful collaboration models with food industry companies, generating innovation opportunities in line with their strategic and business challenges. Eatable Adventures has developed an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the food sector through a global community with over 25,000 members and multiple events that bring together industry, investors, universities, governments, and entrepreneurs around food innovation. www.eatableadventures.com

Corporate Partner

Founded in 1969, today Amadori is a leading group in the Italian agri-food sector. With a market share of about 30% of Italy’s total poultry meat, Amadori has always been a leading company in the poultry sector, now expanding to cover the entire field of proteins – “white”, “pink”, and “green”. Amadori, who can count on the collaboration of over 9,200 people (all based in Italy), is an outstanding player on the market by virtue of the integrated management of its Italian supply chain, consisting of: 5 food processing plants; 5 hatcheries; 4 feed mills, plus 1 tolling partners; over 800 breeding farms (both owned and under agreements); 3 logistic platforms; and 19 distribution centres, comprising both branches and agencies, which provide widespread distribution throughout Italy. www.amadori.it

Corporate Partner

Cattolica (Business Unit Generali Italia) is a major player in the Italian insurance market.

The insurance company puts the insurance protection of people, families and businesses first, with particular attention to the local area and the social and economic contexts in which they operate.

Cattolica (Business Unit Generali Italia) boasts specialisation in agri-food, entrepreneurial and professional divisions, in the religious and associative world. www.cattolica.it

Corporate Partner

Established in 1898 and has been a public company since 2016, Veronafiere is the creator, owner and direct organizer of billboard brand events such as Vinitaly, Marmomac, Fieragricola, Samoter and Fieracavalli. Over the years, its offerings have expanded into a variety of new industries such as Arts (ArtVerona), Schools, Learning and Labour Market (Job&Orienta), Biomedicals (Innovabiomed), Energy, Wood and Biomass (ProgettoFuoco), MotorBikes (Motor Bike Expo) and sustainable, modular logistics (LETExpo). Veronafiere reaches the World from Verona as its presence extends onto global markets thanks to an agenda of dedicated international events in 12 Nations. Overseas it can rely on a rep-office network that reaches more than 60 Countries, a permanent establishment in Shanghai and two subsidiaries: Veronafiere do Brasil and Veronafiere Asia Ltd. www.veronafiere.it/en

Scientific Partner

The Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) venture space that leverages CGIAR’s legacy in research and innovation to co-design, accelerate, and de-risk the development and deployment of science-based solutions for sustainable agriculture and climate action. A4IP entrepreneurs pioneer models to bridge research products from lab to market, create demand for CGIAR science, and strengthen its role in the innovation ecosystem. The initiative plays a catalytic role for entrepreneurial scientists, startups, and other strategic partners driving innovation that will make our agri-food systems healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable. A4IP is an initiative powered by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT; a CGIAR research center.
https://www.cgiar.org

Scientific Partner

The University of Verona focuses on innovation and quality in research and teaching. An institution committed to a process of continuous growth through the enhancement of its human, structural and financial resources. A university embedded in the local context through a continuous strengthening of the link between educational offerings and the world of work and in which research is one of the fundamental factors for social and economic development, capable of producing progress and well-being. The University of Verona promotes collaboration with the local area through projects that activate new technologies and encourages the application and dissemination of knowledge, in a constructive relationship with the entrepreneurial fabric. www.univr.it/en

News & Events

FoodSeed 2024: the new call for disruptive startups to reshape the Italian Agrifood System

Milan, 20th February 2024 – FoodSeed, the Italian Foodtech…

Interview with Cattolica (Generali Italia)

Daniele Caceffo, Head of Agriculture at Generali Italia What…

Interview with Università di Verona

  What was your motivation for supporting and promoting…

Interview with Fondazione Cariverona

  What was your motivation for supporting and promoting…

Interview with Eatable Adventures

What was your motivation for supporting and promoting the FoodSeed…

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