An innovation program is seeking ambitious founders to connect them with corporate partners, market access, and an extensive investor network. The initiative is designed for startups developing solutions for resilient plant growth, offering a platform to validate and scale their technologies through real-world pilot projects and strategic collaborations.
Program Focus Areas
• Water Management
• Soil Improvement
• Smart Breeding
• Crop Inputs
• Bio-based Innovations
• Bioeconomy & Sustainability
Key Program Benefits
• Direct Industry Access: Participants work side-by-side with corporate partners such as K+S, KWS, and DLG on pilot projects to validate solutions in the market.
• Investor Network: The program provides access to a network of over 150 active investors specializing in AgTech and Bioeconomy, from seed to Series A funding stages.
• Equity and Fee Free: Startups retain 100% of their company as the program takes no equity and charges no fees.
• Financial Support: Grant and funding support is available to allow founders to focus on developing their solutions.
• Proven Track Record: The program is recognized as a Top Startup Hub in Europe, with accolades from the Financial Times and Statista, the World Global Startup Award, and the Startup Ecosystem Star Award by the OECD and European Commission.
Program Timeline
• Application Deadline: April 21, 2026
• Program Start: August 2026
• Demo Day: November 2026
Application Process
The application process consists of three sequential steps, with the entire process taking approximately 1 to 1.5 months. This process applies to both the 3-month Acceleration Program for early-stage startups and the Implementation Program for later-stage startups.
• Step 1 - Online Application: Submit an application via the F6S platform, which includes answering questions and uploading a current pitch deck.
• Step 2 - Video Call: A virtual meeting is held with the program team and experts from corporate partners to clarify questions from both sides.
• Step 3 - Final Pitch: Up to 12 selected startups are invited to a virtual session to pitch to a jury of corporate partners, after which the final program participants are announced.
This program offers a tailor-made accelerator experience designed to provide startups with the necessary support to overcome challenges and scale effectively. Founders benefit from hands-on guidance, practical experience, and a supportive ecosystem that fosters network expansion and the development of new projects, positioning them for their next stage of growth.