OPEN CALL
SUSTAINABLE FOOD SOLUTIONS 2022

Calling all innovators, startups and scale-ups with next generation sustainable food solutions

At Brave New Food we believe that collaboration is the key to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and healthy food system. Together with leading food corporates, retailers, distributors and impact investors, we are looking for startups, scale-ups and SMEs with sustainable food solutions that could play an important role in this transition.

Our Open Call for Sustainable Food Solutions 2022 consists of 4 Industry Challenges, 11 Company Challenges and a Funding Call. Pitch your sustainable food solution for your chance to access new markets, networks or funding opportunities. Our 35+ diverse partners will review all submissions and invite the best potential matches to join our Matchmaking Event for 1-on-1 introduction meetings.

At Brave New Food we believe that collaboration is the key to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and healthy food system. Together with leading food corporates, retailers, distributors and impact investors, we are looking for startups, scale-ups and SMEs with sustainable food solutions that could play an important role in this transition.

Our Open Call for Sustainable Food Solutions 2022 consists of 4 Industry Challenges, 11 Company Challenges and a Funding Call. Pitch your sustainable food solution for your chance to access new markets, networks or funding opportunities. Our 35+ diverse partners will review all submissions and invite the best potential matches to join our Matchmaking Event for 1-on-1 introduction meetings.

Industry Challenges

Industry Challenges are current challenges on behalf of our partners.
With one pitch you will reach 35+ food corporates, retailers and distributors at the same time!

Company Challenges

Company Challenges are specific innovation needs of an individual company.
Your pitch will only be visible to this company.

Funding Call

Are you looking for funding to scale your sustainable food solution? 
With 1 pitch you reach multiple funding partners at the same time!

Finding the right funding for financing the growth of your company can be challenging. With this call we want to make it easier for startups with sustainable food solutions! 

Pitch your startup and solution and get in touch with food & impact minded investors and other parties for subsidies, (soft) loans or investments ranging from €100.000,- up to €1.000.000,-

Finding the right funding for financing the growth of your company can be challenging. With this call we want to make it easier for startups with sustainable food solutions! 

Pitch your startup and solution and get in touch with food & impact minded investors and other parties for subsidies, (soft) loans or investments ranging from €100.000,- up to €1.000.000,-

What can our partners offer you?

ACCESS TO MARKET

Connect with leading food corporates, retailers, distributors, and knowledge partners.

ACCESS TO CAPITAL

Get in touch with impact investors for subsidies, soft loans or investments up to €1.000.000,-

ACCESS TO NETWORK

Join a broad (international) network with expertise covering all parts of the food chain.

Partners of the Open Call

Our 35+ valuable partners, including food corporates, retailers and impact investors, will review your pitch:

Timeline

Launch Open Call

20 January 2022

Deadline

22 March 2022

Start selection

23 March 2022

Announcement & Invites

08 April 2022

Matchmaking event

21 April 2022

Matchmaking Event

After the submission deadline on Tuesday March 22nd @ 17:00 CET, all 35+ partners will have two weeks to review the submitted pitches. Our partners will invite their top 10 startups, scale-ups & SMEs for 1-on-1 introduction meetings. These will take place during our virtual Matchmaking Event on Thursday April 21st.

Prior to the event, the invitees will receive personalized schedules for their introduction meetings with interested partners. In order to avoid scheduling complexities, please note that if selected we ask for availability during the afternoon of April 21st.

Matchmaking Event

After the submission deadline on Tuesday March 22nd @ 17:00 CET, all 35+ partners will have two weeks to review the submitted pitches. Our partners will invite their top 10 startups, scale-ups & SMEs for 1-on-1 introduction meetings. These will take place during our virtual Matchmaking Event on Thursday April 21st.

Prior to the event, the invitees will receive personalized schedules for their introduction meetings with interested partners. In order to avoid scheduling complexities, please note that if selected we ask for availability during the afternoon of April 21st.

Do you have any questions?

Scroll down to read the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If we still haven't managed to convince you to join our Open Call, feel free to contact our startup scout Sandra via: sandra.einvall@bravenewfood.com.

Do you have any questions?

Scroll down to read the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If we still haven't managed to convince you to join our Open Call, feel free to contact our startup scout Sandra via: sandra.einvall@bravenewfood.com.

Who can participate in this open call?

This call is open for startups, scale-ups, SME's and other innovators with sustainable food solutions. As a startup you already have a proof of concept and traction. However, your concept may also be pre-revenue. 

Are there any costs involved in participating?

No, it’s completely free to join the open calls.

What's the difference between Industry Challenges and Innovation Needs?

Industry challenges are current challenges on behalf of our partners. With one pitch you will reach 30+ food corporates, retailers and distributors at the same time!

Company Challenges are specific innovation needs of an individual company. Your pitch will only be visible to the company.

Is it allowed to participate in multiple challenges?

If your company/solution fits in multiple challenges, it is allowed to participate in multiple challenges.

What happens after uploading my pitch deck?

As soon as you have uploaded your pitch, you will receive a confirmation so that you know that we have received your pitch. After the deadline, our partners will assess all pitches individually and invite the companies with the most interesting solutions for a 1:1 meeting during the BNF Matchmaking event on 21 april 2021.  If you both see potential in a collaboration, you can make agreements about a follow-up!

What about my IP?

All our partners have signed a contract with us stating that they are not allowed to share the startups pitches to anyone outside the company. However we advise startups not to share trade secrets or IP sensitive information in their pitch.

What are the chances of getting invited to the matchmaking event?

In the previous open call, about 50% of the participate companies were invited for one or more 1:1 conversations with one of the partners during the matchmaking event!