Logo of EIT Food next to the European Union flag, symbolizing collaboration in driving innovation and sustainability in the European food sector.

Sustainable Foods Testbeds

For digital innovators working in the agri-food sector, the Sustainable Foods test bed provides a broad range of services for testing and experimentation of novel digital products, for soil and soilless food production.
These test bed services can be co-funded up to 50%.
We aim to support 45 new commercially viable products accelerate from TRL 4 (technology validated in laboratory conditions) to between TRL 7 (prototype demonstration in operational environment) and TRL 9 (system proven in operational).

For innovators in the agri-food sector

If you are a SME developing digital products for the agri-food sector, briefly present your product here and we can help you tailoring the testing & experimentation that best fits the profile for a successful TRL upgrade.

Relevant digital technologies include artificial intelligence (AI), high performance computing (HPC), cybersecurity, additive manufacturing, robotics, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), internet of things (IoT), data science and big data, advanced materials, nanotechnology, micro/ nanoelectronics, photonics, simulation, cyberphysical systems (CPS), blockchain, mobility, and connectivity, among other.

Access to testbed services is open, transparent, non-discriminatory, and non-competitive with existing market offerings.

Find out more about the eligibility requirements to receive public funding.

Who are we?

Combining physical production facilities with digital twins and simulators
BGI and Food4Sustainability (F4S) joined forces to make the Sustainable Foods testbed a one-stop-shop for digital solution development and validation in the agri-food sector. BGI is a deep-tech accelerator that provides venture training and capacity building, access to funding and market-entry support through its vetted processes and broad international network (Europe, USA, Brazil), including EIT knowledge and innovation communities. F4S is a Collaborative Laboratory that provides scientific and technological expertise in food systems and sustainability, bridging from new knowledge creation to market-ready solutions. F4S focuses on multitrophic systems, by-product valorisation, soil health and function, regenerative farming, nature-based solutions, reduction of use of synthetic fertilizers and biocontrol agents, rational use of water, ecosystem services monitoring, and healthy eating.

How does it work?

Beneficiaries of the support include companies of any size or legal form, from the private or public sectors. In the case of Test Beds Excellence Europe, eligible consortia may include Non-Business Research and Development (R&D) System Entities, provided that the application is approved under the Testing and Experimentation Facilities of the Digital Europe Program. Eligible expenses include investment in tangible and intangible assets, as well as costs related to personnel and administration. Funding for companies responsible for creating and operating the Test Bed ranges or creating and operating the Test Bed ranges up to 50% depending on the type of expense, location, and the support amount transferred to SMEs and startups participating through the provision of more favorable conditions for the development of new products and services

In collaboration with

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Logo of EIT Food next to the European Union flag, symbolizing collaboration in driving innovation and sustainability in the European food sector.

Test, validate, and de-risk your agri-food innovation faster. 

Sustainable Foods Test Bed supports SMEs, startups and innovators running real-world pilots across soil and soilless production contexts, combining physical testing with modelling and simulation to accelerate evidence generation. 

• Pilot in operational conditions
• Co-funding available (up to 50%)
• Supports progress from TRL 4 toward TRL 7–9
• Open, transparent, non-discriminatory access

Value Proposition

Faster validation: Structured pilots aligned with real KPIs. 
Evidence you can use: Results to support customers, scale-up, and funding.
Real environments + modelling: Combine field testing with simulation and digital tools.

How it works ?

Define the proof
Objectives, KPIs, and success criteria.

Pilot implementation
Soil and/or soilless operational environments.

Deliver evidence
Structured results and recommendations.

Who is this for?

Designed for SMEs, startups and innovators developing digital solutions for agri-food systems, including AI, IoT, sensing, automation, robotics, decision-support, and digital twin technologies. 

Testing Environments

Soil & regenerative contexts: Field and soil-based systems where variability and adoption matter. 

Soil & regenerative contexts: Field and soil-based systems where variability and adoption matter. 
Soilless & controlled environments: High-control production settings requiring monitoring and automation. 

Soilless & controlled environments: High-control production settings requiring monitoring and automation. 

Case Studies

Team

Seaqure Labs

Aquafeed validation in operational aquaculture systems.

Team

Nitrogen sensing

Real-time nitrogen water quality monitoring in RAS

Team

Agrodrone

Enhancement of Oxygenation in controlled cultivation environments

Team

Smartfisher

AI-based video monitoring in aquaculture tanks.

Team

Delox

Bio-decontamination for enclosed operational environments

Team

Oceano Fresco

Marine microalgae cultivation and growth modelling.

Team

Mouraplas

Soil bio-restoration in highly disturbed agricultural soils

Team

Verrio

Digital decision-support validation in real production environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Who can apply and what TRL levels are supported?

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How long does a pilot take?

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What outputs and evidence are provided?

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Can pilots be confidential?

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Contact us today!

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