BGI Sustainable Ventures | July Newsletter 🏄📰

July 30^th, 2026

Dear BGI Community,

🏄‍♀️ July has been a month of progress, collaboration, and exciting milestones across the BGI ecosystem. From the successful completion of the Agrifood and Urban Mobility Disruptor Bootcamps and the launch of their Market Discovery Journeys to new opportunities for startups, researchers and industry leaders, the momentum continues to grow.

In this edition, you'll discover the latest programme developments, celebrate achievements from our innovation ecosystem, explore new open calls and challenge-based opportunities, and catch up on the impact of initiatives driving the future of agrifood and urban mobility innovation across Europe.

We hope you enjoy this month's highlights and find new inspiration to take your next step in innovation. ☀️ From all of us at BGI, we wish you a wonderful summer and a relaxing holiday season!

The BGI Team

Get Involved

Help BGI Become One of Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs!

BGI is participating in the Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs 2027 ranking, conducted by Statista in collaboration with the Financial Times. If you're a BGI alumni, we'd greatly appreciate your support by completing the short evaluation survey. Your feedback is an important part of the assessment and helps showcase the impact of our programmes and the strength of our innovation ecosystem. Please submit your response by September 25^th.

Complete the Survey

Agrifood & Urban Mobility Disruptor Programmes Advance to the Market Discovery Journey

Following an intensive Bootcamp held throughout July, both the Agrifood Disruptor and Urban Mobility Disruptor programmes have entered their next phase with the launch of the Market Discovery Journey on July 29^th.

Over the past month, participating teams engaged in expert-led sessions, mentoring and collaborative activities designed to strengthen their value propositions and prepare them for market validation. Based on their progress during the Bootcamp, selected teams from both programmes will now continue into the Market Discovery Journey, where they will work closely with mentors and industry experts to validate market opportunities, engage with potential customers and partners, and further develop their innovation strategies.

A special thank you goes to our Strategic Partners LS4Future, LEAF Instituto Superior de Agronomia and UBI, whose expertise, mentorship and continued support have played a key role in the successful delivery of the Agrifood Disruptor Bootcamp and in helping participants transform research into market-ready innovations.

We would also like to thank our Urban Mobility Disruptor Strategic Partner, NOVA School of Science and Technology and mentors for supporting the programme and empowering researchers and innovators to develop solutions that contribute to more sustainable, efficient and people-centered urban mobility systems.

Turn your Challenge into Innovation: Join our program

The Open Innovation & Challenge-Based Program, part of the AgriFood4Future Erasmus+ project, connects agrifood SMEs and corporates with startups to co-develop pilot-ready feasibility study solutions addressing real industry challenges.

AgriFood4Future brings together a pan-European network of education providers, research organisations and industry actors to accelerate the green and digital transition of the agrifood sector by strengthening skills, fostering innovation and supporting more sustainable and resilient food systems.

For SMEs and Corporate Organisations

Challenge Owners

Why join?

- Access innovative solutions (TRLs 4-7);

- Solve real business challenges faster and more efficiently;

- De-risk innovation through structured pilot design;

- Connect with Europe's top startup innovation ecosystem.

Who should apply?

Agrifood SMEs and Corporates looking to:

- Innovate faster;

- Co-develop solutions before scaling;

- Collaborate with startups.

Submit your challenge!

For Startups and Research Groups

Solution Providers

Why join?

- Work directly with SMEs & corporates;

- Gain real-world validation of your solution;

- Build traction and market credibility;

- Access a pan-European agrifood network.

Who should apply?

Startups / research teams with:

- Solutions at TRL ~4-7;

- Strong fit with agrifood challenges;

- Readiness to co-develop pilot-ready solutions.

Submit your solution!

Discover the current challenges

Explore the current list of challenges below and discover how your expertise can help solve real needs in the agrifood sector:

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Challenge #1 – Emulsions in the food industry

Challenge #2 – AI-driven monitoring and optimisation within underground greenhouse systems

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Challenge #3– Innovative drying solutions for pet food

Challenge #4 – Data-Driven Solutions for Resilient and Circular Agrifood Ecosystems

Challenge #5 – Nature-Based Solutions for Microplastic-Free and Resilient Soils

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Challenge #6 – Innovative Solutions for Removing Nitrate and Chloride from Irrigation Waters

Challenge #7 – Innovating Functional Ingredients from Microalgae

Programme timeline and application deadline

The programme will take place between October and December 2026, following the challenge submission phase and the selection of startup partners. The deadline for applications is September 30^th 2026.

For more information, please contact:

Jan Mrkous (BGI) - jan@bgi.pt

Sónia Romão (BGT Consulting) - sonia.romao@bgtconsultinggroup.com

Want to stay ahead in agrifood innovation?

Subscribe to the AgriFood4Future newsletter and get the latest insights, training opportunities, and project updates delivered straight to your inbox.

👉 Subscribe!

Highlights from the BGI Ecosystem

🥂BGI Alumni join EIT FAN 2026

Congratulations to the 65 startups selected for the EIT Food Accelerator Network (EIT FAN) 2026!

We're especially proud to see startups connected to the BGI Sustainable Ventures ecosystem among this year's cohort, including Grouse Fibre (UK), a participant in the EIT Food Seedbed Incubator mentored by BGI, and HypeSound, winner of BGI's AI4Agrifood programme. We're also delighted to celebrate the selection of Portuguese startup Bac3Gel.

We wish all the selected startups every success as they embark on this exciting journey, working alongside leading corporates, investors, mentors and industry experts to accelerate innovation in the agrifood sector.

GROW Webinar Series: Building Knowledge for More Resilient Agriculture

Over the past months, the Food4Sustainability CoLAB & GROW Webinar Series has brought together farmers, advisors, researchers and agri-food professionals from across Europe to explore practical solutions for building more resilient and sustainable food systems.

The series successfully delivered 15 webinars, featuring 45 expert speakers and engaging 1,058 participants. Together, they explored key topics shaping the future of agriculture, including soil health, regenerative agriculture, natural capital and digital farming.

Learn more about GROW here.

Open Calls

📢 Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst
Deadline: August 26^th 2026

Applications are open for the Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst, a programme designed to help aspiring founders and early-stage innovators turn bold urban mobility ideas into venture-backed startups.

Contact Us!

View details

📢 Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument
Deadline: November 30^th 2026

Accelerate your startup’s path to market with EIT Food’s Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument, secure support to de-risk pilot projects, validate your solution with corporate partners, and unlock new commercial opportunities in the agrifood sector.

Contact Us!

View details

Want to learn more about the urban mobility and digital ecosystems in Portugal?

For any enquiries, contact us.