Eatable Adventures has opened applications for NOVO Agrifoodtech, a new international accelerator designed to help deeptech start-ups adapt technologies developed outside the food sector for use across agriculture and food systems.
Supported by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and developed in collaboration with Basque technology centre AZTI, the programme will select 10 international start-ups developing technologies ranging from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to robotics, advanced materials and quantum computing.
Unlike traditional food-focused accelerator programmes, NOVO is specifically targeting companies whose technologies originated in sectors such as healthcare, defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and finance, but which could help solve major challenges facing food production.
“Deep technologies are transforming every industrial sector, and food should be no exception,” said Mila Valcárcel, managing partner and co-founder of Eatable Adventures.
She said many of the most promising innovations for agriculture and food were initially developed for other industries and require access to real-world market conditions to demonstrate their value.
Deeptech investment continues to grow
The launch comes amid growing interest in science-based innovation across the agrifood sector.
According to AgFunder’s Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2026, global agrifoodtech investment remained broadly stable at $16.2bn in 2025, but deeptech’s share of total investment has climbed from 22% a decade ago to 32% today.
The report also found that seed-stage deeptech companies raised funding rounds at a 78% premium compared with non-deeptech start-ups, reflecting investor appetite for technologies capable of addressing complex environmental and industrial challenges.
Focus on five technology areas
NOVO will focus on start-ups working across five priority areas:
Artificial intelligence and data
Solutions that can improve decision-making, efficiency and traceability across the agrifood value chain, including technologies originally developed for sectors such as retail, healthcare and automotive.
Biotechnology
Innovations including precision fermentation and cell cultivation, drawing on advances in biopharmaceuticals, synthetic biology and diagnostics.
Robotics and automation
Technologies that can improve food production, processing and distribution, adapted from manufacturing, logistics and defence applications.
Advanced materials
New approaches to food packaging and preservation inspired by developments in chemistry, aerospace and electronics.
Advanced and quantum computing
Computational technologies that could support molecular discovery, ingredient development and supply chain optimisation.
Equity-free support and pilot opportunities
Selected companies will participate in a 12-week hybrid programme combining online mentoring with two in-person bootcamps in Bilbao.
Participants will receive technical validation support from AZTI, opportunities to develop pilot projects with agrifood companies in the Basque Country and access to Eatable Adventures’ international investor network.
Importantly for founders, participation is 100% equity-free, allowing start-ups to access support without surrendering ownership stakes.
Eatable Adventures said NOVO also provides direct access to one of Europe’s most industrially connected innovation ecosystems, giving start-ups opportunities to test and scale technologies through partnerships with research centres, corporate partners and established food businesses.
Applications are open until September via novoagrifoodtech.com.
Founded as a specialist foodtech accelerator, Eatable Adventures says it supports more than 100 start-ups annually through its programmes and manages a €30m investment fund focused on early-stage agrifood innovation.