Small businesses like Cold Hand Winery are impressing domestic as well as foreign markets with their tasty and high-quality beverages and food products. But they often need a helping hand to grow and develop. Enterprise Europe Network adviser Anders Skeem shares information about assistance to this kind of businesses from a Danish perspective and gives examples of upcoming Network activities to support the development and internationalisation of beverage and food producers across Europe and beyond.
Food and drink opportunities in Denmark
Do you have a Viking conquering spirit? In Denmark, innovation in food is big: there are many opportunities for businesses.
Innovators welcome
Our Agro Business Park’s Innovation Competition 2017 for ideas within the bio-based economy is open now. You can submit your innovative idea by 13 October and get a chance to win EUR 6,700 and assistance to turn your business idea into reality. How to apply
You can also take a look at Future Food Innovation which provides co-funding for innovative food projects.
From start-up to scale –up
If you a food start-up looking to develop and scale your business, it's really worth taking a look at Accelerace Foodtech Scale-Up Programme. This programme is especially tailored for food start-ups: it offers a world-class training experience and invaluable access to a large network of investors, potential customers and food industry experts.
International opportunities for agrofood businesses
Meet the Enterprise Europe Network team of agrofood business advisers
Within the Enterprise Europe Network, I'm part of a team of 100 experts dedicated to help agrofood businesses innovate and grow internationally (we call it the Agrofood Sector Group). Based across Europe and beyond, we organise brokerage events and trade missions to help businesses find international partners. We also help with fundng opportunities and advice on intellectual property and regulations. To find your closest agrofood expert, contact your local Enterprise Europe Network partner. In the meantime, here are some upcoming opportunities to whet your appetite.
Is your SME part of the free from food agenda?
The market is growing for products that meet the needs of people affected by food allergens and intolerances or those who are looking for healthier food options. Meet potential business partners at our matchmaking event during the Free From Functional Food Expo 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden in May 2018. Keep your eyes on our event calendar to register and find new international trade partners.
Meet European food and beverage buyers
In 2018, we will also organise our flagship Tour d’Europe matchmaking events. The concept is all about opening a dialogue with buyers about what they are looking for and carefully matching it to what producers from Europe and beyond can offer. Again, our event calendar is the place to get the 2018 dates.
Agrofood funding: why not join an EU project consortium?
It's easier than you think! We compile a catalogue of profiles of businesses and various research institutes interested in submitting a proposal under the EU research programme Horizon 2020 and other funding programmes like the Bio-Based Industries Public Private Partnership (BBI). We are now looking at 2018-2020 opportunities, so get in touch with us now by contacting the Enterprise Europe Network near you.
Check out the story of Cold Hand Winery on Twitter
We helped Jens find international distributors for his fruit wine business. What's your tasty idea? pic.twitter.com/70qfzyt11w #EENCanHelp
— Enterprise Europe EU (@EEN_EU) October 10, 2017
Anders Skeem is an Enterprise Europe Network adviser based in the Danish science park, incubator and project organisation Agro Business Park. Working with a team of colleagues across Europe and beyond, Anders contributes to the Network’s efforts to support the development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) creating business opportunities in the beverage and food sector.