StartLife

StartLife stands at the forefront of agrifoodtech innovation, championing the belief that startups are crucial catalysts for transforming our global food systems. Established in 2010 with Wageningen University & Research as a founding partner, this organization has evolved into Europe's longest-running and most prominent accelerator dedicated to agricultural and food technology. Their mission centers on guiding promising ventures toward sustainable success by creating essential connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate entities—recognizing that disruptive innovation requires not only brilliant ideas but also practical implementation pathways.

With an impressive track record spanning over a decade, StartLife has cultivated relationships with more than 400 innovative FoodTech and AgriTech startups, providing comprehensive support throughout their growth journeys. The accelerator's approach is multifaceted, offering specialized business development guidance including market validation strategies and fundraising preparation. Their ecosystem also delivers personalized coaching and mentoring, facilitates valuable peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and creates strategic introductions to industry-leading corporations—all critical elements for startup advancement in the competitive agrifood sector.

The organization operates through a structured yet flexible support system, accepting up to 40 new startups annually into its various programs. Their flagship offering is an intensive 12-week acceleration program that accommodates up to 20 carefully selected ventures, providing comprehensive resources and guidance. Beyond this core program, StartLife extends tailored support services to an additional 10-20 individual startups throughout the year, ensuring that promising innovations receive customized assistance regardless of their development stage or specific challenges.

StartLife's ecosystem offers participants numerous advantages beyond traditional acceleration, including privileged access to pre-seed and growth investment opportunities, direct connections to Wageningen University & Research's world-class expertise, and support from leading industry service providers. The accelerator further enhances startup visibility through its internationally recognized F&A Next summit, which serves as a premier platform for connecting innovators with potential partners and investors. By providing office space and comprehensive operational support, StartLife creates an environment where agrifoodtech entrepreneurs can focus on developing solutions that address critical challenges in creating sustainable, efficient, and equitable food systems for future generations.