{{ Does your startup or scale-up have a food solution for better health, faster recovery or better (sport) performance? Are you looking for an opportunity to boost your company? Pitch your solution and get access to new markets, strategic partners, network, expertise and funding opportunities!THEME 3: FUNCTIONAL FOOD FOR HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE 
Food can be used to help people prevent getting ill or recover faster. The optimization of health and wellness via one's diet does not obey the “one size fits all” rule. Current dietary guidelines are based on long term effects in the general population and do not take into account shorter term group-based and individual traits and needs on health, well-being and performance. Different individuals may respond differently to specific foods and food components. People in various stages of their life have their specific nutritional requirements, like infants, children, elderly, people coping with allergies and intolerances, specific patient groups and athletes. Consumers increasingly value functionality in their food, although scientific evidence to support the link between certain ingredients and health benefits is still scarce. Looking forward, the future seems bright for the functional food and beverage sector.WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
In this Open Call theme we are looking for food solution for better health, faster recovery or better (sport) performance. For example:Health and Immunity (health) enhancing food, drinks or ingredients, like gut supporting foods/ingredients (e.g. fiber, dairy)Food solutions for a better (sports) performance Recovery food with specific nutritional value for specific groups (e.g. patients, infants, elderly)Products for specific target groups (e.g. diabetics, food allergy, intolerances)Any other solutions that fit within the theme.ONLINE INFO-MEETUPThursday the 2nd of September at 14:00h (CEST) we will organise an online info-meetup for everyone who is interested in (one of) the open call themes and wants to know more or ask questions.You can sign up for this online info-meetup using this link. Please register before the 1st of September.OPEN CALL: HEALTHY FOOD SOLUTIONS 2021Together with leading food and retail companies, and impact investors we are looking for startups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs with new healthy food solutions that could play an important role in the transition to a healthier food, diets and society.

The purpose of this open call is to select the best solutions of startups and scale-ups and to connect them with leading food companies and investors. By partnering up, sharing knowledge and expertise, access to markets and networks, access to funding and more, we help you to accelerate your venture.Read more information about this Open Call and the other themesWHY PARTICIPATE?Pitch your company and solutions to leading food and retail companiesBe invited for 1:1 during our matchmaking event with one or more leading food companies (or investors) interested in your product or solutionCreate new opportunities to collaborate with leading food companies to test and proof your solutions, or even better, a strategic partnership, to produce, scale or distribute your products.Funding opportunities up to €1.000.000,-View all partnersYOUR PITCH
To increase the chance of being selected by one or more companies or investors for the matchmaking event, we advise you to come up with a professional and neat looking pitch deck (max. 6 pages / 18 slides) which includes:A description of your product or solution (max 3 pages / 9 slides): 
Give a short description of your product or solution, as detailed and visual as possible. Also describe what specific problem you solve with your solution or product and to whom this applies.A description of your company & team (max 1 page / 3 slides):How and when was your company founded? In which phase are you? How many people? In which market are you active? Also a short description of the (managing) team.A description of your ambitions to grow and your needs (max 2 pages / 6 slides): 
Give a short description of your growth ambitions. Where do you want to be in 3 years? What do you need to get there? Tell us what kind of support and expertise (market, distribution, partners, funding) you are looking for.Pitches must be submitted in English. The pitch may be submitted in free form (presentation, slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4 - max. 30MB). Videos, example websites, etc. can be included as a link.Please fill in the search profile form to indicate what you are offering and what you are looking for. This helps us to make the best and relevant matches for you and our partners.Upload your pitch document here.ASSEMENT CRITERIA
Your pitch will be evaluated on the following aspects:Feasibility fit: how your product/proposition/solution can be further developed, deployed and commercialised.Impact: The potential for your product/proposition to have a large impact (through solution-problem-fit) and scaling potential.Team: the knowledge, experience, diversity and network of your team.TIMELINEThursday June 24, 2021: launch Open CallTuesday September 14 at 17.00: deadline Open CallSeptember 15 - 24: selection by the participating food companies & investorsSeptember 27 - October 1: announcement & invites for matchmaking eventThursday October 14, 2021: (online) matchmaking eventQ4 2021 onwards: discuss and start collaborationTERMS & CONDITIONSParticipation is open for startups, scale-ups, SMEs, grown-ups, innovators and scientists with an innovative product and/or technology.You will remain the owner of your intellectual rights, concept or solution in your pitch, until you agree otherwise.We strongly advise you to document everything you share with others and mention that information provided is confidential and intellectual property rights remain with you/ your company until agreed otherwise.Be aware of the fact that your pitch will be viewed by industry professionals and (concepts and ideas in it) may be shared with others. Keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch, keep it a secret that you can share later.Download Terms & Conditions }}