Loacker Group Corporate Venture Capital Program – Wave 1 Open Call

About

An international corporate venture capital open call from the confectionery group Loacker seeks agrifoodtech startups addressing Wave 1 challenges in fat replacers, automation and robotics, sugar alternatives and protein ingredients for potential investment, industrial pilots and collaboration.

Benefits

• 💰Potential direct investment
  Selected startups may access direct investment from the Loacker Group CVC; the annual CVC budget is €1M/year and the average ticket is €100k-300k as a guideline assessed case-by-case. Investment is not guaranteed and remains subject to due diligence, strategic fit, internal approvals and agreement on terms.
• 🏭Industrial piloting
  Selected startups may test and validate solutions in real industrial conditions and pilot projects in a real industrial environment.
• 🧪Industrial and R&D expertise
  Selected startups may access Loacker Group expertise in ingredients, formulation, quality and manufacturing, plus market knowledge.
• 🤝Commercial and technology synergies
  Selected startups may explore industrial and technology collaborations, co-development and commercial partnerships within Loacker Group's ecosystem.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: startup addresses one of the four open Wave 1 challenges (Fat replacers; Automation & robotics; Sugar alternatives; Protein ingredients)
• Mandatory: applications must be in English
• Mandatory: each application may be submitted for one challenge only
• Mandatory: open to startups from any country
• Typically required: Seed stage onwards with TRL 3-7; earlier-stage startups may be considered in exceptional cases
• Preferred: if a solution addresses multiple challenges, choose the challenge best aligned with the startup's core technology and offering
• Press-reported candidate criteria: pre-seed to Series A, validated or advanced technology, industrial or strategic synergies with Loacker Group, and openness to a strategic investor

Participation Commitments

• Submit an application in English through the official Loacker Group form, describing the startup, solution, maturity, team, fundraising status, traction and how the approach connects to the selected challenge
• Each application can be submitted for one challenge only
• Wave 1 applications open on 29 October 2026 and close on 01 December 2026
• All applicants will hear back by end of January 2027
• Application review takes place in January 2027
• Selected startups will pitch in February 2027
• Detailed analysis takes place in March/April 2027
• Due diligence takes place in May/July 2027

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food

Target Location

Open to startups from any country; applications are in English and pitch sessions can be held online.