Building a European Voice for AgriFood Innovation
Shaping the Future of European AgriFood Innovation – Together
Europe is home to a diverse ecosystem of innovative startups, scale-ups, companies and research initiatives developing solutions for the future of agriculture and food systems.
Yet many of these innovators face similar challenges: access to funding, regulatory frameworks, entering new markets and scaling across national borders.
How can we tackle these challenges together and give European AgriFood innovation a stronger voice?
With the first European AgriFood Innovators Dialogue, the German AgriFood Society (GAFS) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung are creating a space for exchange between entrepreneurs, European innovation networks, policymakers and institutional representatives.
Our ambition goes beyond identifying challenges. We want to explore shared interests, strengthen connections between existing networks and identify concrete opportunities for European collaboration.
Three Questions at the Heart of the Dialogue
1. What does Europe need from AgriFood innovation?
How can emerging technologies, innovative business models and entrepreneurial solutions contribute to more resilient, sustainable and competitive European food systems?
2. What do European AgriFood innovators need?
Which challenges do startups and scale-ups share across borders? Where can better conditions, access to funding and stronger networks make a difference?
3. Does AgriFood innovation need a stronger common European voice?
How can we better connect existing initiatives and networks, make shared interests more visible and strengthen collaboration at the European level?
Programme
16:30 – Welcome and Context
Opening remarks and an introduction to the challenges and opportunities facing European AgriFood innovation.
16:45 – Keynote and Opening Exchange
Featuring Niels Grabbert, Co-Founder & CEO of Stenon, sharing insights from building, financing and internationally scaling an AgriFoodTech company.
17:05 – European Innovators Dialogue
A moderated discussion bringing together perspectives from entrepreneurship, European innovation networks and policymaking.
17:50 – From Dialogue to Action
An interactive exchange with participants in Berlin and online: What are our shared priorities, and where do we see concrete opportunities for collaboration?
18:30 – Building a European Voice and Next Steps
Key takeaways from the Dialogue and a discussion of potential next steps.
From 19:00 – Networking
Continue the conversation over food and drinks.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
Time: 16:30–19:00 CET, followed by networking
Venue: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Academy, Berlin, Germany
Participation: On-site or online (hybrid event)
Event language: English
Register Now
We warmly invite founders, startups and scale-ups, representatives of European innovation networks, policymakers, researchers and industry stakeholders to join the conversation.
You can participate in person in Berlin or join us online. Please select your preferred participation option below.
Experience the Dialogue in person at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Academy and take the opportunity to connect directly with fellow innovators, network representatives and policymakers.
On-site places are limited.
Can’t make it to Berlin? Join the European AgriFood Innovators Dialogue online and contribute your perspective to the discussion.
You will receive the access details by email ahead of the event.
Organised by the German AgriFood Society in cooperation with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, with the kind support of Rentenbank.