Event Types

Programs

Organized By

BGI, with the support of BGT

About event

Open Innovation & Challenge-based programme

Objective

The AGRIFOOD4FUTURE Open Innovation & Challenge-Based Program is a structured initiative designed to accelerate innovation, skills development, and cross-sector collaboration in the European agrifood sector.

Fully aligned with the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the European Skills Agenda, the program connects agrifood companies facing real industry challenges (Challenge Owners) with startups and research groups offering innovative solutions (Solution Providers).

Through this program, selected SMEs and startups collaborate to co-develop feasibility studies / pilot-ready solutions, addressing key priorities such as digitalisation, sustainability, circularity, and green agritech.

BONUS: Participants can benefit free of charge from the AGRIFOOD4FUTURE Capacity Building / Training programme, which offers innovative learning opportunities in smart farming and sustainable food systems. Tailored for students, educators, agrifood advisors, farmers and SMEs, the courses are designed to deliver targeted knowledge and practical skills across diverse professional profiles.

Time-line & detailed phases of the Program

Discover the current challenges

Explore the current list of challenges below and discover how your expertise can help solve real needs in the agrifood sector:

Challenge #1 – Emulsions in the food industry

Challenge #2 – Pest and disease monitorization with drones and tractors on vineyards

Challenge #3 – Ultrasound for the control of pests on vineyards

Challenge #4 – Drainage losses in small-scale semi-hydroponic systems

Challenge #5 – Inert substrates used in hydroponic raspberry and blueberry production: what to do with these products at the end of their shelf life

Challenge #6 – Production of clean label, innovative and packaging solutions

Challenge #7 – Circular Food Systems

Challenge #8 – Digitalization of the Food Supply Chain

Challenge #9 – Mechanization of organic lupin harvesting

Challenge #10 – Sustainable packaging solutions for the commercialization of organic products

Challenge #11 – Cost-Effective Scalability of Bioplastics from Rapeseed Cake

Challenge #12 – Optimization of Glycerine Concentration for Enhanced Mechanical Properties & Moisture resistance Enhancement

Apply to the Solutions Provider Program if you’ve identified a challenge your organization can respond to:

Get involved

Currently, we are in PHASE 1 of the program, which means that we are looking for new challenges from agrifood companies across Europe!

APPLY NOW to submit a challenge and become part of a growing European innovation ecosystem shaping the future of agrifood.

Deadline for applications: 30th June 2026

Phases of the programme

PHASE 1: Challenge Definition & Scoping (May – June 2026)

For SMEs/Corporates

We engage agrifood companies across Europe to identify key operational, technological, and sustainability challenges. These challenges are aligned with core priorities such as digitalisation, sustainability, circularity, and green agritech.

PHASE 2: Solution Selection & Matchmaking (July – September 2026)

For Startups

Startups and research groups are identified and selected based on their capacity to address the proposed challenges. Through a dedicated matchmaking process, Challenge Owners and Solution Providers are paired to foster strong, cross-sector collaboration.

PHASE 3: Feasibility Study & Pilot-Ready Design (October – December 2026)

For SMEs/Corporates and for Startups

Selected teams work together to co-develop feasibility studies and pilot-ready solutions. Each solution is assessed across technical, economic, operational, and regulatory dimensions, ensuring robust and actionable outcomes.

PHASE 4: Validation & Dissemination (January 2027)

All involved

Results are validated and shared through an online event where participating teams present their solutions. Dissemination activities throughout the program ensure that knowledge generated contributes to the wider agrifood innovation ecosystem.

For any questions, please contact the program coordinators:

BGI (Catarina Casadinho- catarina.casadinho@bgi.pt

BGT Consulting (Sonia Romao)- sonia.romao@bgtconsultinggroup.com