launchlabs Sofia, an international business redesign studio, has launched a food technology innovation accelerator, Future Verticals. The program will be financed by Bulgarian venture capital fund Vitosha Venture Partners and other program’s mentors. Startups can receive funding between €20,000 and €200,000.

The application is open until May 2023. Startups can apply here.

  • Future Verticals program is aimed to foster the development and validation of Bulgarian foodtech and agritech companies in the prototype or more advanced stages. The goal of the accelerator is to help bring to reality sustainable innovation with positive impact on society and the environment.
  • The program will last from June to September 2023. More than 50 mentors with expertise in company development, scientific research, VC funding, scaling and think tanks will partake in the program. 
  • Future Vertical will focus on 15 segments of sustainable development, including plant-based and alternative proteins, sustainable packaging, precision agriculture, data analysis, food waste reduction, smart agriculture equipment, and e-commerce. Companies will be able to test their prototypes in real-world environments with partners such as retail chain Kaufland, organic products maker and distributor Smart Organic, UK-based online grocery retailer Ocado, co-living space and restaurant Kitchen59, and food producer GrowTaste.
  • In September, the startups will present their projects to Vitosha Venture Partners fund managers and other selected investors for an opportunity to secure further investments.