Supporting Agrifood Startups' EU Expansion: How Sales Booster Provides a Launchpad
Brussels, Belgium - As the European Union doubles down on its ambitious farm-to-fork strategy to transform food systems, a new program is emerging to help agrifood startups break into the continent's lucrative but competitive markets.
Sales Booster, an initiative backed by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology's (EIT) Food accelerator, is guiding early-stage ventures through the complexities of expanding across the EU. By providing tailored market entry support, the program aims to fast-track the growth of innovative food and agriculture technologies.
"Europe's agrifood sector is ripe for disruption, but navigating the regulatory landscape and customer dynamics in different member states can be a major hurdle for startups," said Alain Verstraeten, co-founder of Sales Booster. "We're helping these companies identify the right markets, build local partnerships, and scale their solutions to drive real impact."
The inaugural cohort of Sales Booster includes 10 startups from 7 countries, spanning precision farming, alternative proteins, food waste reduction and more. Over the next six months, the startups will receive hands-on coaching, access to industry mentors and the chance to pitch to potential investors and customers across the EU.
One participant, Greenbyte, is a Swedish agtech startup developing autonomous robotic solutions for high-precision weeding and spraying. After successful pilots in the Nordics, the company is now eyeing expansion into major agricultural hubs like France and Germany through the Sales Booster program.
"Breaking into new European markets requires a deep understanding of local farming practices, regulations and buyer preferences," said Greenbyte CEO Emelie Thulin. "The tailored market intelligence and partner network that Sales Booster provides is invaluable for startups like us looking to accelerate our international growth."
Analysts say the timing of the Sales Booster initiative is crucial, as the EU ramps up investment and policy support for climate-smart agrifood innovations. The European Commission recently unveiled a €10 billion budget for its Horizon Europe research program, with a significant portion earmarked for sustainable food system projects.
"There's immense investor and regulatory appetite for agrifood tech that can boost productivity, reduce emissions and waste, and enhance food security," said Mark Stevenson, a senior analyst at a leading Brussels-based think tank. "Programs like Sales Booster are well-positioned to funnel the most promising startups into these high-growth European markets."
As the inaugural Sales Booster cohort embarks on its market expansion journey, industry observers will be closely watching whether the initiative can help transform the continent's food systems - one startup at a time.
The article highlights the challenges faced by early-stage agrifood startups in the EU as they look to expand across the continent. With the EU's ambitious farm-to-fork strategy driving transformation in the sector, the 'Sales Booster' program backed by the EIT Food accelerator is providing crucial support to help these innovative ventures navigate the complexities of cross-border expansion and capitalize on the growing market opportunities.