International
Agro Challenges
Dutch agro solutions to the global market
through international innovation
challenges and open calls
International Agro Challenges
The International Agro Challenges, an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, are solid stepping stones for pioneers who want to cooperate internationally, openly and innovatively.
Together with startups, scale-ups and innovative SMEs, we accelerate innovation in the agricultural sector. We mainly focus on researching and promoting the international application of Dutch innovations, to discover their potential on the global market.
Innovation in the agricultural sector
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality is committed to producing safe food, conserving nature, and ensuring everyone has enough food, now and for future generations in the Netherlands, Europe, and worldwide.
Innovation in the agricultural sector
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality is committed to producing safe food, conserving nature, and ensuring everyone has enough food, now and for future generations in the Netherlands, Europe, and worldwide.
Why participate?
Innovation budget
€25,000
Budget of €25,000 per challenge or open call to further develop your innovation.
Collaboration &
scale-up prospects
Opportunity for sustainable collaborations and scale-up in the sector.
Access to
ecosystem
Access to the network of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
International
contacts
International support from enthusiastic agricultural experts and LNV councils.
Partners International Agro Challenges
The International Agro Challenges are supported by the Directorate of European and International Agro-Economic Policy (EIA) and the LNV Attaché Network (LAN) in addition to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Using the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) as a guideline, these parties promote sustainability and innovation in the sector.
Directorate of European and International Agroeconomic Policy (EIA)
Directorate European and International Agro-economic Policy (EAI) contributes to the creation and implementation of Dutch, European and international frameworks for sustainable and competitive agriculture. Sustainability concerns both the earning capacity of entrepreneurs and care for nature and the climate. EIA contributes to this by utilizing the strength of the Dutch agrocomplex.
Directorate of European and International Agroeconomic Policy (EIA)
Directorate European and International Agro-economic Policy (EAI) contributes to the creation and implementation of Dutch, European and international frameworks for sustainable and competitive agriculture. Sustainability concerns both the earning capacity of entrepreneurs and care for nature and the climate. EIA contributes to this by utilizing the strength of the Dutch agrocomplex.
LNV Attaché Network (LAN)
The LNV Attaché Network (LAN) provides crucial support in this ecosystem. LAN assists Dutch companies and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, helps apply policy objectives in specific foreign contexts, and supports biodiversity goals.
LNV Attaché Network (LAN)
The LNV Attaché Network (LAN) provides crucial support in this ecosystem. LAN assists Dutch companies and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, helps apply policy objectives in specific foreign contexts, and supports biodiversity goals.
Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA)
With the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) as a compass, together with international experts and companies, we accelerate the application and co-creation of Dutch innovations worldwide. We invite you to become part of this international network, where Dutch creativity enriches the global agricultural market.
Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA)
With the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) as a compass, together with international experts and companies, we accelerate the application and co-creation of Dutch innovations worldwide. We invite you to become part of this international network, where Dutch creativity enriches the global agricultural market.
Questions? Find your answer!
Questions? Find your answer here
I have a question about a challenge or open call, where can I ask it?
Questions about specific challenges or open calls can be asked in the Q&A section at the respective challenge or during the online Q&A session.
At the respective challenge:
- Go to the challenge about which you want to ask a question
- Open the Q&A module
- Ask your question!
Some challenges have an online question hour:
- Go to the challenge you want to ask a question about
- Scroll down in the briefing text
- Click the "Yes, I'm in!" button in the "Do you have questions?" section
- Sign up for the online question time
What is the difference between an "open call" and a featured "innovation challenge"?
The featured challenges feature a current question or challenge from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality where they are looking for specific solutions in the short term. Several specific experts/problem owners are involved, who are able to act on interesting solutions immediately. Similar challenges lead in 90% of the cases to one or more collaborations.
The open calls describe a number of broader agricultural sector innovation themes. There is not a concrete project/challenge at the center of the open call for which a specific solution is sought in the short term, but a lot is happening within the themes. Through the open calls, the innovation managers try to come to an acquaintance and a possible collaboration.
Who can participate in the open calls?
Any startup, scale-up or SME with an innovative solution can participate in the open calls or innovation challenges. Here it is important to know that we are not looking for ideas, but concrete and already developed solutions that can be tested in a pilot project or environment within a period of 3 to 6 months.
Are there participation costs?
We really appreciate it when you make the effort to participate and pitch your solution! Therefore, there is no cost to participate in challenges, open calls or matchmaking events.
Is it allowed to participate in multiple challenges?
If your company's solution aligns with multiple challenges or open calls, you are permitted to submit a pitch document to multiple challenges.
What does the process look like after I upload a pitch document?
After you have uploaded your pitch document you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email. If you did not receive this, please contact us at info@starthubs.co as soon as possible and before the deadline of the open call of challenge.
After the deadline, representatives and experts from the member public transport organizations will evaluate the entries.
Are you interested in a specific challenge or open call? Please refer to the timeline in the specific briefing for information on the announcement of the selection, online interviews and announcement of the winner. An online matchmaking event with stakeholders will also be organized for certain challenges and/or open calls.