INITIATIVE

WASTE 2 PLATE
Join the mission to provide 1M+ healthy & nutritious servings to consumers per year by 2027 from valorised side streams

PROBLEM

FOOD WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FOOD SYSTEM

The Industrial Revolution transformed how we produce and consume food, moving us from small-scale, local farm-to-table systems to massive, factory-driven operations. While this shift brought incredible convenience and scale, it also gave rise to a hidden crisis: food waste and environmental degradation.

Today, 30% of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, with over 70% of that occurring during production. This inefficiency isn’t just about waste—it’s a major environmental burden.

The current system isn’t sustainable. It’s time to rethink how we use resources and turn side-streams into opportunity.

SOLUTION

FUEL FOUNDERS TO FIX THE FUTURE

Our mission is clear: to empower entrepreneurs to transform “waste” into value. Through innovation and determination, we aim to help founders create over 1 million healthy and nutritious servings annually by valorizing side streams and repurposing by-products that would otherwise go to waste.

Our hands-on approach and tailored expertise ensures that startups in the field receive the targeted guidance and connections they need to succeed. The program will support through two key pillars:

Product development: creating, testing and showcasing of new products
utilizing side streams, from MVP to commercialization ready.
Go-to-Market: connecting with the right market access partners, expert
support on efficient commercialization, supply chain, marketing, packaging,
and more.

Together, we’re building a future that’s not only sustainable but also delicious.

WHY JOIN?

A CURATED PROGRAM BUILT AROUND YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS

Get curated 1:1 support from our network of experts and industry partners. Throughout the program, we will cover a range of topics, based on your business’s specific needs, ranging from technical feasibility and product development to consumer testing, value chain engineering and branding.

UNIQUE INNOVATION FACILITIES AND A COMMUNITY OF PEERS

Make use of KiCo’s state-of-the-art development and production facilities within the Hague’s innovation hub, Titaan. Top of the line equipment for testing and scaling up production and a community calendar filled with inspiring events that present various perspectives, unique fieldtrips and plenty of valuable social activities.

EU-WIDE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Gain direct access to a range of buyers and category managers from leading European food companies and retailers during the Go-to-market phase of the program and already start making your first revenue stream from your new product. This includes plenty of operational preparation, pitch training and consumer testing to ensure you have a winning pitch and GTM strategy, ready to hit the ground running after every deal.

ARE YOU?

A Startup, Scale-up, or SME working on an innovative proposition?

Established in an EU member State or Horizon Europe-associated country?

Has your company been founded in or after 2015?

Working on developing ingredients or end-to-consumer products from valorised side-streams?

ARE YOU IN?

APPLY NOW!

PRACTICAL DETAILS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 16 JAN 2025

Start & end of the program: first cohort MAR 2025 – JUL 2025

Participation in the program bears no upfront costs, when applicable a success sharing mechanism might be included based on the new products created as part of this initiative. If applicable, separate agreements between the startup, consortium and EIT Food will be made.

Time & Commitment needed:

Available to attend an in person kick-off event on 5 March 2025 in the Hague.
Available to dedicate approximately 1 day/week for participation in the program. (In-person & Online)

Please note: If you are based outside of the Netherlands, travel costs to attend the in-person activities can be covered by the program.

Do you have any questions about the program? Reach out to Sami@kico.kitchen

APPROACH

CO-CREATION AND TAILORED SUPPORT

WASTE 2 PLATE initiative is designed around the concept of a Community of Practice rather than an accelerator programme type of approach. It focuses on co-creation and very specifically tailored expert and industry support to create new consumer facing use cases for ingredients from valorised side-streams and bring these new products to market. Combined with shared innovation kitchens it provides an environment to test, showcase and develop nutritious, sustainable & healthy products.

The Community of Practice unites a diverse network of experts and value chain partners, including: owners of side-stream processes, leading industry players, retailers and hospitality representatives, food service companies, legal experts, investors, and other stakeholders.