What does the Fi Europe Startup Challenge offer?
The Startup Challenge offers startups targeting the food and beverages sector an opportunity to develop their innovative projects. Amid high startup failure rates, it connects newcomers with partners and experts for business growth.
Who can enter?
All startups that have been active for five years or less and that target the food and drink industry with products or services that are:
Food and beverage ingredients
Technologies and foodtech solutions
Digital solutions and other services that support the food and drink industry
How much does it cost?
This competition is free to enter.
My startup is not based in Europe. Can I still apply?
The Challenge is open to startups globally. Previous winners have included European and non-European startups.
What are the benefits and why should I enter?
Shortlisted finalists are invited to attend Fi Europe free of charge and present their innovations on stage at the exhibition.
Winners choose from a variety of high-value prizes that include an exhibitor booth or mentorship and support offered by our expert jury.
Fi Europe attracts over 25,000 attendees and over 1500 exhibiting companies, giving you an opportunity to network with potential partners, clients, investors, and other innovators.
What is the selection process and how are winners picked?
First, our expert jury review all submissions, taking the following elements into account:
Market need
Value proposal
Business model
Competitive advantage
Team
How innovative in the market
Then, the highest-scoring applicants are invited to the finals, which take place in person at Fi Europe.
The finalists pitch twice:
To the expert jury behind closed doors (18th November 2024)
To the Fi Europe visitors at the Innovation Hub theatre (19th November 2024) after which winners are announced live on stage.
Each year, up to 20 finalists across 4 categories present their innovations at Fi Europe. In addition, a special jury’s choice award is given to a finalist with the most sustainable solution.
Who will I meet by taking part in the Startup Challenge?
This Challenge is right for you if you are looking to meet and collaborate with the kind of food industry stakeholders that attend Fi Europe. This includes:
Major ingredient suppliers and producers
Manufacturers seeking innovative solutions
R&D experts from research institutions
Banks and venture capitalists
Startup incubators, accelerators, business angels
What do I need to submit?
Entrants should submit a slide deck with a business plan along with any other supporting documents that could be helpful (e.g. commercial documentation, advertising, investor presentations, promotional materials, etc).
What’s the submission criteria?
The startup should be no older than 5 years;
the startup must have a clear business plan and a developed concept and, at the very least, prototypes (final products are preferred); and,
the product or service needs to be truly disruptive and unique.
How can I apply?
Register your interest for the Fi Europe Startup Challenge 2025 and a member of our team will be in touch once entries open.