Key Takeaways
- EIT Food RisingFoodStars, co-funded by the EU, has selected 16 new scaleups for its 2025 cohort.
- Selected companies target climate resilience, food affordability, and ag sustainability across Europe.
- Innovations span alternative proteins, soil health, functional nutrition, and biodegradable packaging.
- Since 2018, the programme has supported 146 scaleups, raising €870M and creating over 1,140 jobs.
- Notable alumni include Notpla (biodegradable packaging) and Verley (precision dairy proteins).
New EIT Food RisingFoodStars Cohort Tackles Food Inflation and Climate Risks
EIT Food RisingFoodStars has unveiled its 2025 cohort of 16 scaleups developing technologies across the agrifood value chain. The programme, co-funded by the European Union, supports companies offering scalable solutions to food system challenges such as inflation, climate threats to supply chains, and agricultural emissions.
“Food inflation remains the EU’s top cost-of-living driver,” noted Narjis Chakir, EIT Food RisingFoodStars Programme Lead. “Our 2025 cohort brings science-led solutions, from carbon-smart farming to sustainable proteins. We’re here to help them scale fast, access markets, and drive real transformation.”
Selected Companies In EIT Food RisingFoodStars Address Key Sectors of Food Innovation
The 2025 EIT Food RisingFoodStars scaleups span four main categories:
Sustainable & Regenerative Agriculture
- FA Bio (UK): Biofungicides to enhance soil microbiomes.
- Resurrect Bio (UK): AI-powered disease resistance traits.
- AgroSustain (CH): Biological crop protection to reduce waste.
- Hudson River Biotechnology (NL): CRISPR-enabled trait tools.
- CroBio (UK): Soil amendments to improve drought resilience.
FoodTech & Functional Ingredients
- Clean Food Group (UK): Fermented oils replacing palm oil.
- ImaginDairy (IL): Animal-free dairy proteins.
- PFx Biotech (PT): Precision-fermented bioactive proteins.
- Kokomodo (IL): Cell-based climate-resilient cacao.
- Celleste Bio (IL): Cultivated cocoa butter and powder.
- KÄÄPÄ Biotech (FI): Functional mushrooms and chaga extracts.
- Perfat Technologies (FI): Oleogels for butter substitutes.
Alternative Proteins
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Adamo Foods (UK): Whole-cut meat alternatives from fungi.
Upcycling & Sustainable Packaging
- ProteinDistillery (DE): Proteins from fermentation sidestreams.
- Greentech Innovators (NO): By-products converted to feed and fertilizer.
- Kelpi (UK): Seaweed-based biodegradable food coatings.
EIT Food RisingFoodStars Programme Impact and Growing Market Relevance
Since 2018, EIT Food RisingFoodStars has supported 146 scaleups, with alumni generating 33 commercial innovations and securing €870 million in funding. The programme’s focus on connecting science-based ventures with business and investment ecosystems has helped many scaleups gain global traction.
The 2025 cohort reflects EIT Food’s commitment to practical, scalable responses to Europe’s most pressing food and climate challenges. With inflation, emissions, and crop risk on the rise, these ventures are working to enable more secure, sustainable food systems.
