Innovation Fields

The aim of the pan-European Smart Specialisation Strategy Food (S3Food) Partnership is to set-up a platform and supportive business ecosystem between agri-food clusters and clusters representing technology and/or digital solution providers, relevant RTOs and other stakeholders. Foodvalley NL takes part in the S3Food partnership to accelerate the digital transition. In combination with the research organisation One Planet, research & development and business communities are connected.

We believe that the solution to transition agricultural practices by farmers lies in cross value chain collaboration, where all partners work together in facilitating the farmer, put in the central, to transition towards regenerative practices. This is not an agricultural transition but more a value chain transition that needs a collaborative approach to come to scale. 

Three initiatives received a Booster Award in 2021. They each received: 30,000 euros development budget, 1 year of monitoring, visibility of the initiative and access to a large international food network. The award is intended to encourage these initiatives that support the reduction and prevention of obesity through the use of personalised nutrition tools.

Read the definition, status and future opportunities of personalised nutrition, defined by 53 stakeholders.

SmaakPark BV, based in Ede, has received a substantial contribution towards the realisation of its Fermentation Lab from the Shared Pilot Facilities Fund, which represents a consortium of interested parties. The lab will span an area of approximately 110 square meters, not including the accompanying greenhouse complex and breeding ponds, and will be listed as part of the Shared Facility Finder (SFF). The Fermentation Lab will serve as an essential resource, accessible to all stakeholders through the SFF. This initiative is expected to promote innovation and facilitate research in the food industry by promoting collaboration and shared usage of facilities.

Foodvalley's Bioeconomy Ventures program connects startups and established businesses in the bioeconomy sector to resources that help accelerate their growth and success, including access to funding, industry networks, expertise, and facilities, in order to drive the development of a sustainable bio-based economy. In addition, Foodvalley organises two Expand & Explore Workshops. These are workshops where a number of startups from Foodvalley’s ecosystem are given the opportunity to pitch their innovation in front of investors.

Insects are a good source of protein and champion the valorisation of waste streams that are otherwise difficult to valorise. At the same time, insects as a raw material are not yet economically viable to use and legislation currently often still prohibits their use for human consumption. Therefore, Foodvalley is working to set up a successful showcase that is possible within legal boundaries.

The Co-fresh pilot case assembled a coalition that focuses on creating a competitive European value chain for fava beans that uses local sources and reduces carbon footprint. We expect to have the value chain quantified and an agreement on shared value/revenue distribution in place by October 2023.

This initiative seeks to improve the economic viability of locally produced crops in the Netherlands by bringing together protein crop farmers, creating critical mass and increasing valuation by the end users. This approach helps to organise a better value chain position for the farmers by, for instance, exploring the cooperative selling of their product as well as equipment sharing. This would result in a first national cooperation of growers of leguminous crops moving from niche to critical mass.

Investment in new facilities is badly needed to accompany the accelerating protein transition in the longer term. However, short-term solutions are also needed. Luckily existing facilities can be retrofitted for various alternative, plant protein applications. A perfect opportunity for existing companies looking to venture into this rapidly growing market. Foodvalley NL offers the opportunity to quickly check whether your current production space, machine or line can be made suitable for the processing of raw materials, the production or packaging of plant-based products. This way, you help the protein transition and create new business opportunities.