One-liner: the international open-innovation call of the KM ZERO foodtech hub — it matches innovative foodtech solutions to the real challenges of its corporate Open Innovation Partners, for pilots and collaborations (not a cash grant). Run by Fundación KM ZERO HUB CV.
Correction: the bases describe a year-round rolling call with no fixed deadline and no cash prize — the earlier "€2.5B / 18 funds / 30 Aug 2026" note isn't in the 2026 bases (
#status/verify— likely tracker-sourced; KM ZERO does connect startups to investors, but the Open Call itself is corporate matchmaking).
What you get (if selected)
- Invitation to the global "Food Changemakers" community.
- Connection to Open Innovation Partners for potential collaboration / pilot projects.
- Exposure at international foodtech forums: ftalks Valencia and ftalks LATAM (CDMX).
Who it's for
- Early-stage or growth-stage foodtech startups, university spin-offs, and technology-centre projects — any innovative foodtech solution that addresses a Partner's challenge or has potential to transform the food system.
The 15 challenge areas (2026)
Primary sector/AgTech · Manufacturing · Packaging (EU packaging & waste reg.) · Water · Food waste & upcycling · Alternative proteins & ingredients · Logistics & retail (last-mile, autonomous retail, smart vending) · Food safety · Food & beverages (CPG) · Decarbonisation · Nutrition & health · Consumer knowledge & trends · Digital transformation (AI/IoT/robotics/blockchain) · Triple bottom line · HORECA.
Open Innovation Partners (2026)
Familia Martínez · Vicky Foods · Estiu · Profand · Huevos Guillén · Central Lechera Asturiana · Arancia · Ecoocel (Grupo Tav Food).
How to apply
- Apply via the official KM ZERO Open Call form (linked from kmzerohub.org/open-call).
- Open all year — applications accepted continuously, priority to those who apply earlier.
- Next selection round: 30 August 2026 (confirmed on the live page, 2026-07-05) — this is the next batch cutoff, not a hard deadline; the call itself remains rolling/year-round.
- Selection by the KM ZERO team, per challenge, tailored to each Partner's goals. If your solution fits, KM ZERO contacts you.
Selection criteria
Value proposition, business model & scalability · ESG · degree of innovation · market/sector potential · fit with the challenges · entrepreneurial team · financial & legal situation · impact on the food-system transition.
Commitments (if selected)
Participate in the meetings you're selected for; collaborate with KM ZERO's community (corporates, investors, tech centres, universities). Participants grant KM ZERO image/display rights for community promotion. Jurisdiction: courts of València.
Relations
- Run by: KM ZERO
- See also: AINIA Pilot Plants & Labs
- See also: Foodtech (niche)