MALTAccelerate, in collaboration with EIT Food, a Knowledge Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – a body of the EU, recently hosted the AgriFood Entrepreneurs Day. Held at DiHubMT in Mrieħel, the event brought together Maltese and International innovators and entrepreneurs to explore new ideas and collaborations and learn more about how to access EU and Maltese funding opportunities in the AgriFood sector.

Opening the event, part of a series of innovation activities coordinated with the EIT Community Hub Malta, Alessandro Silvestri, Managing Partner at MALTAccelerate, underscored the urgency for innovation in Malta’s agricultural landscape. “Agriculture is a sector that really needs support and innovation. Malta imports 80 per cent of its food as farmers struggle with a lack of water, poor soil quality, high input costs and low margins. It’s a sector facing structural challenges that require new technologies, scientific solutions, and a strong innovation ecosystem. MALTAccelerate and EIT Food are working to create just such an ecosystem.” Diana Miceli, EIT Community Officer Malta, also about EIT’s active presence in Malta and its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in Malta both in the AgriFood sector and more broadly.

Innovation in the AgriFood sector is not something that is only needed in Malta, but globally. Juan Ignacio Zaffora, Head of Service Development at EIT Food highlighted both the urgency and opportunity within AgriFood innovation. He noted that the world must feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050, even as current food production and supply systems struggle. 

Zaffora said, “In a world where two billion people are overweight, 800 million are undernourished and a third of all food produced ends up in the bin, it’s clear that the current system isn’t working. What’s more, agriculture remains one of the biggest contributors to climate change, generating 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions while using 70% of all the freshwater extracted. In this context, innovation is not optional, it is essential. Yet, only 3.4% of startups in the EU are in agriculture. This means there is a huge opportunity for innovators, including those from Malta.”

EIT Food is currently focussing its efforts to support startups working toward healthier diets, net-zero food systems, and resilient agricultural practices. In the past year alone, it has invested €223 million in new businesses across the EU. This, however, is not the only source of funding available with the AgriFood Entrepreneurs Day also spotlighting the scope and scale of support available in Malta through DiHubMT, The Malta Food Agency, Fondi.EU, Malta Enterprise and Xjenza Malta. Entrepreneurs in Malta can also access expertise and support from other entities including the University of Malta and venture builders like Deep Tech Foundry, who were also represented during the event.

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme also spoke about the pivotal role of EU funding in strengthening Malta’s AgriFood sector. In his intervention, Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi highlighted the crucial role of EU funding in driving innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness within Malta’s AgriFood sector. He emphasised how European instruments are supporting startups, SMEs, and young entrepreneurs to develop new ideas and technologies, while also enabling farmers to modernise their operations and improve the quality of local produce. The Minister also commended the strong coordination of the Funds & Programmes Division and the essential guidance provided by Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta, noting that these national structures ensure that EU opportunities remain accessible to all those wishing to grow and invest in this sector.

To close off the day, entrepreneurs and innovators had the opportunity to pitch their startups and receive direct feedback from the investors, funding providers, and peers present. This provided an invaluable opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to refine their proposals and boost their chances of securing investment.

The event concluded with networking over Maltese food and drink, featuring local producers Tal-Massar Winery, The Huskie Draft Beer Company, and Filfla Chilli, with sponsorship support from Golden Harvest.

More information on the opportunities available for innovators in the AgriFood sector send an email to boost@maltaccelerate.com. The EIT Community Hub Malta can also be contacted on malta@eitcommunity.eu for more information on the range of innovations initiatives supported by EIT across multiple sectors.