The EIT-FAN programme at the Technion (Haifa) is a fruitful collaboration between the Faculty of Biotechnology & Food Engineering at the Technion, the Strauss Group, and Peakbridge VC fund.
The Technion (Haifa) hub is highly appreciated for its unique ability to cook up a tailored and agile curriculum that combines Israeli entrepreneurship spirit with the guidance of world-class senior business and food professionals. Our unique programme (now hybrid: both on-line and on-site) persistently propels attendees to sharpen their skills via networking with industry, academia, and VC funds.
Proven success stories. The program boasts several success stories and award-winning start-ups, such as The Mediterranean Food Lab (winner of EIT-FAN 2020 cohort) and Redefine Meat (winner of EIT-FAN 2018 cohort). See more stories below.
Personalized and pragmatic program. An academic and business curriculum tailored to the needs of the participating entrepreneurs: lectures, practical workshops, previous success stories, industry tours, round table, and one-on-one mentoring and access to our ‘meet the VCs’ event.
Unique resources. Access to the Technion’s faculty experts, Technion vast research infrastructure, a network of professional contacts, and top opportunities to interact with a corporate partner, Strauss group, and business partner Peak Bridge VC who also manage EIT-FOOD investment fund (SPARKS).
Mentoring, consulting, and services. Beyond a tailored suit of support from business and food experts. Attendees are granted a coupon for consulting and R&D services at the Technion, including access to the pilot plant facility and world-class researchers.
We welcome any startup from any country that would like to join the Israeli hub.
"The EIT FAN program truly accelerated our journey condensing several years of work into 3 months. it's the ultimate program for any founder trying to tackle the many challenges and embrace the potential of a Foodtech venture. since graduating from EIT FAN Redefine meat grew to 150 people, raised 3 VC funding round, filed 10 patents and expanded our business to 4 countries".
Eshchar Ben-Shitrit – Co-Founder & CEO, Redefine Meat
"Participating in The EIT Food Accelerator Network was a critical juncture in the life of The Mediterranean Food Lab (MFL). Thanks to the program we grew from a collection of talented people with an idea and initial proof of concept into a real company with a vision, business strategy and eventually significant market traction. With the help of the program’s instructors, we were honored to win the program’s first prize - and even more honored and privileged to meet top industry specialists and inspiring peers - our cohort partners. Moreover, the program introduced us to some fantastic industry mentors, one of whom continued to accompany us long after the conclusion of the program, and ultimately became a lead investor in the company:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/peakbridge_fermentation-activity-6853638373886717952-av8n
We wouldn't be where we are today without EIT- FAN. Thank you".
B.Z Goldberg – Co-Founder & CEO, Mediterranean Food Lab
"Taking part in the EIT FAN programme helped us to refine our business model, improve our value proposition, and to focus our development goals in the right direction. During the programme, we connected to various players in the EIT ecosystem, some of these connections matured to strategic business and R&D collaborations.
The EIT team in Israel, combining industry experts and academic excellence of the Technion, backed by the European EIT FAN management, create a true value for companies that take part in this unique program and therefore we strongly recommend it to our colleagues in the Agri-FoodTech industry".
Yuval Gilad, Co-Founder & CEO FreezeM