New Food Business

Why this project?

Challenges such as climate change, a growing global population, lifestyle-related diseases, and the need to reduce our environmental footprint require new food solutions. The food industry needs innovative and sometimes disruptive products that address these societal and environmental challenges.

To realise such innovations, new food businesses are needed: food companies such as start-ups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs that act as pioneers in developing novel products. Today, these companies can rely on a strong and growing range of general support services. However, analysis shows that there are specific needs for food-related knowledge, expertise and support. For emerging food businesses, an integrated network that helps them launch product innovations effectively, efficiently and within a realistic market context is lacking. For SMEs, innovative product development also remains complex, time-consuming and risky, particularly when the necessary expertise is not available in-house.

The New Food Business project addresses this challenge by bringing together service providers, knowledge partners and other relevant stakeholders within a single Flemish-Dutch network. Within this network, a modular service package is being developed and tested to provide innovative food businesses with more targeted support on their route to market. This development takes place in co-creation with the new food businesses, while also assessing financial feasibility and working methods..

Research approach and expected results

A public-private partnership of ten Flemish and Dutch clusters, companies and regional development agencies is joining forces in this Interreg project. Together, they are working towards future-proof support for new food businesses, focusing on innovation, knowledge sharing, access to expertise and cross-border collaboration.

• The project encourages companies to take the next step in the development and application of innovative food solutions that contribute to a future-proof economy. Particular attention is given to protein diversification, including novel production processes such as food biotechnology, and to balanced nutrition as responses to key challenges facing the food industry.
• Within the project consortium, partners combine their expertise to develop a modular service package. This will enable food businesses to gain faster access to specialised knowledge, expertise and support for product innovation. Each region contributes its own strengths, making it easier for companies to access markets across the border.
• At the same time, the project is creating a Flemish-Dutch ecosystem that brings together project partners, complementary service providers, knowledge and research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders. This ecosystem will be connected with new food businesses seeking collaboration throughout their innovation and market introduction journey.
• The project will start with several test cases, followed by the launch of a first innovation call. New food businesses will then be able to register for support and guidance. The approach developed within the project will be sustainably embedded after the project ends, ensuring that the network and services remain available in the long term.

Interim results and updates will be published on the New Food Business project website.

Target group

New Food Business is aimed at new food businesses: innovative SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups in the food industry seeking support with, among other things, regulatory requirements for food production, access to networks, product and recipe development, and consumer and market validation.

In addition, the project brings together commercial service providers, incubators and accelerators, testing and pilot facilities, R&D laboratories, universities of applied sciences, network partners, industry organisations and public authorities as part of the ecosystem supporting these innovative food businesses.

Project partners 

Flanders’ FOOD is verantwoordelijk voor het algemene projectmanagement en coördineert het project samen met AgriFood Capital en POM West-Vlaanderen. Het projectconsortium bestaat uit:

• AgriFood Capital, Lisanne van Oosterhoud, l.vanoosterhoud@agrifoodcapital.nl
• AM Norman, Winnewald Dejonckheere, winnewald.dejonckheere@amnorman.be
• Bamboo Brands, Theo Toering, Theo@bamboobrands.com  
• Dutch Design Foundation, Janne Spork, janne.spork@dutchdesignfoundation.com 
• Flanders’ FOOD
• Jamfabriek, Arthur Nijhuis, anijhuis@nvbim.nl 
• Monard Law, Stephane Criel, Stephane.Criel@monardlaw.be 
• POM Vlaams-Brabant, Niels De Brier, niels.debrier@pomvlaamsbrabant.be 
• POM West-Vlaanderen, Katelijne Vancleemput, katelijne.vancleemput@pomwvl.be 
• Tekkoo,  Josh Whyatt, josh@tekkoo.nl 

Keen to join?

Two calls for SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups in the food industry will be launched during the project. These new food businesses will be able to apply to help develop and test the service package and receive support and guidance. Further details will be communicated through the project partners and via the New Food Business website.

Participation fee and terms and conditions

As a stakeholder within the innovative ecosystem, you will be invited to matchmaking and knowledge-sharing events designed to facilitate collaboration with the New Food Businesses. Please contact Flanders’ FOOD or one of the project partners for more information.