Dutch agro solutions to the global market
through international innovation
challenges and open calls
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.
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.
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.
Budget of €25,000 per challenge or open call to further develop your innovation.
Opportunity for sustainable collaborations and scale-up in the sector.
Access to the network of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
International support from enthusiastic agricultural experts and LNV councils.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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:
Some challenges have an online question hour:
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.
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.
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.
If your company's solution aligns with multiple challenges or open calls, you are permitted to submit a pitch document to multiple challenges.
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.