Does your startup, scale-up or SME develop innovative functional ingredients and need the right partners to scale in Europe? The Netherlands' food innovation ecosystem, home to global food giants and cutting-edge R&D facilities, is actively seeking solutions like yours. Don't spend months trying to find the right contacts. Apply now, get selected, and let us connect you directly to the strategic partners, launching customers and investors you need to grow.
Applications for this challenge are now closed. In case you have any questions regarding this challenge or would like to reach out for a late application, please contact us.
What are we looking for?
We seek scale-ups and SMEs developing innovative functional ingredients that help food manufacturers create healthier and more sustainable products, including:
- Sugar reduction technologies: natural sweetening solutions and sugar replacement systems
- Salt reduction technologies: flavor enhancement and sodium alternatives
- Fiber & prebiotic enhancers: digestive health and gut microbiome support ingredients
- Protein enhancement ingredients: plant-based proteins, protein optimization, and bioavailability enhancers
- Clean-label binders & emulsifiers: natural replacements for synthetic additives and E-numbers
Your functional ingredient solution should be validated at laboratory level or in an early pilot setting (minimum TRL 4), with a clear pathway towards further development, pilot testing, and potential scale-up in European markets.
Meet our partners
The 30+ leading organizations below are ready to connect with innovative functional ingredients companies; from global food giants and cutting-edge R&D facilities to strategic investors and launching customers.
How does it work?
Your Application - by March 2, 2026 at 17:00 CET
Submit your pitch document by March 2, 2026 at 17:00 CET. Industry experts from Invest in Holland will review all applications after the deadline and extend invitations to companies that can benefit from our Dutch network connections.
Online Matchmaking Event - April 14, 2026
Selected companies join our exclusive online matchmaking day where you'll have 1-on-1 strategy meetings with pre-selected partners. Based on your specific needs and goals, you'll typically have 2-3 targeted conversations with relevant Dutch food companies, R&D facilities or universities who match your requirements.
(Optional) Live Follow-up - May 19-21, 2026
For companies where strong mutual interest emerges from the online matchmaking, we invite you to an exclusive in-person follow-up in the Netherlands. The program includes R&D and scale-up facility visits, a Meet the Investor session, face-to-face meetings with matched partners, a session on Dutch incentives and subsidies and discount for the F&A Next conference (May 20–21). It is designed to turn promising online conversations into concrete partnerships and growth opportunities.
Why participate?
Expert Guidance for Your Success
Invest in Holland specializes in guiding functional ingredients companies through the Dutch food ecosystem. As the network of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs) and regional development agencies, we provide tailor-made support that is free of charge and fully confidential.
What You'll Gain:
✓ Expert Navigation: Personal guidance through the Dutch ecosystem to identify the right scaling partners
✓ R&D Support: Connections to world-class testing facilities and research institutes to advance your innovation
✓ Commercial Access: Direct introductions to R&D leads at major food corporations
✓ Growth Funding: Access to specialized food-tech investors and scale-up funding programs
✓ Partnership Focus: Dedicated follow-up to convert connections into concrete partnerships and distribution agreement
Why the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is a frontrunner in the food industry and offers the ideal ecosystem for foreign companies to test, develop, and scale their innovative functional ingredient solutions. By participating in our matchmaking you get the chance to connect with key experts in the Dutch market, funding opportunities, industrial and support facilities and leading food companies.
Your Pitch
Try to include the following parts in your pitch document to increase your chances of being selected by the most relevant experts.
- A description of your product or solution
- A description of your company & team
- A description of your growth ambition
- A description of your needs (R&D needs, scale facilities, amount of funding)
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 or presentation slides - max. 30MB). Videos, example websites, etc. can be included as a link.
Be aware that your pitch will be viewed by industry professionals and may be shared with others. Keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch, keep it a secret that you can share later.
Timeline
- January 13, 2026 at 12:00 CET: Applications open
- March 2, 2026, 5:00 PM CET: Submission deadline
- March 27, 2026: Selection announcement
- April 14, 2026: Online matchmaking event - Meet Dutch partners virtually
- May 19, 2026: Live event in the Netherlands - In-person meetings and site visits
- May 20-21: F&A Next - Europe's leading food innovation event
About Accelerate in the Netherlands
Accelerate in the Netherlands is organized by the Invest in Holland network, connecting international scale-ups with the Dutch innovation ecosystem. Our mission is to create smart, scalable, and future-proof solutions that contribute to the societal and economic transitions the Netherlands wants to accelerate.
In our previous alternative protein edition, we facilitated 400+ strategic meetings connecting 120 international companies with over 60 Dutch food ecosystem experts, creating concrete partnerships and market opportunities > read more