News
EIT Food announces 2019 winners
19 Nov 2019The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Food has announced the winners of its 2019 EIT Food Accelerator Network Programme: Orbem AI, uFraction8 and Trigger Systems.
The finalists were invited to compete for three awards, consisting of financial support worth €100,000 each.
Orbem AI, based in Germany, has developed a patented Al technology for the poultry industry to revolutionise the way we produce food. uFraction8, from the UK, is helping biomanufacturers to de-water and concentrate biomass using the latest technology to build sustainable and scalable systems. Trigger Systems is a Portugal-based company that provides a web platform to control several systems for the automatic and efficient management of water and energy.
The 12 finalists were selected from a group of 52 agrifood technology startups involved in the 2019 EIT Food Accelerator Network (EIT FAN) Programme. Over a four-month acceleration period, these startups have had access to tools, connections, mentors and expertise to help them succeed.
Held in Switzerland, Germany and Israel, the EIT FAN aims to make Europe the go-to innovation hub for the world’s most promising agrifood startups.
The winners of the 2019 EIT Food Accelerator Network Programme received their awards at The Venture Summit in Lisbon, EIT Food’s annual event that brings together Europe’s best agrifood startups, investors and key figures from across the agrifood system.
Benoit Buntinx, Director of Business Creation for EIT Food, said: “Many congratulations to our winners from our EIT Food Accelerator Network Programme. The ideas of these startups are helping to tackle global food challenges and address the gap between innovation and the realisation of genuine business opportunities. It has been a pleasure collaborating with the 52 agrifood startups over the last months and seeing first-hand the disruptive ideas they are working on.”
Related news
Dog food brand shakes up sector with ‘human-quality’ meat
17 Apr 2026
UK pet food startup Years designs its premium meals based on a dog’s breed, life stage, and health, using wholefood recipes and clear plastic packaging.
Read more
PepsiCo targeting 'big opportunity' in out-of-home snacking
15 Apr 2026
PepsiCo is “restaging” its biggest brands – Lay's, Tostitos, Gatorade, and Quaker – to strengthen their out-of-home positioning as consumers continue to eat outside of the home, its CEO says.
Read more
Emissions-reduction technologies can help brands hit green goals
14 Apr 2026
Emissions-reduction technologies can help global manufacturers lower their environmental impact while increasing operational efficiency and making savings.
Read more
Securing sweetness in bakery, without the sweetener effect
13 Apr 2026
EFSA has confirmed sucralose cannot be used in most bakery applications. So, which sweeteners can manufacturers of healthy indulgent baked goods use?
Read more
Princes Group introduces 5% price increase due to Iran war
10 Apr 2026
UK company Princes Group has set a minimum 5% price increase on its products, making it the one of first major suppliers to openly raise prices due to the Iran war.
Read more
Finalists of the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards 2026 announced
7 Apr 2026
Who made it to the shortlist of the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards 2026? Read about the innovative companies that are redefining the nutraceutical industry.
Read more
Rising automation requires clear risk management strategy
6 Apr 2026
Automation is helping manufacturers reduce bottlenecks but it also comes with risks. Successful brands will have clear risk management strategies.
Read more
Puratos to acquire Dawn Foods
3 Apr 2026
Belgian bakery, patisserie, and chocolate supplier Puratos is to acquire US-headquartered cookie and muffin-maker Dawn Foods.
Read more
Could the Strait of Hormuz supply shock boost regenerative farming?
31 Mar 2026
The Iran war has exposed the frailties of a fossil fuel-dependent food system. Could regenerative agriculture benefit from soaring fertiliser prices?
Read more
Closing the hygiene gap in cold-chain environments
30 Mar 2026
Maintaining hygiene while meeting health and safety requirements between cleans is vital yet challenging for food operators, requiring a holistic approach.
Read more