STARTUP VILLAGE AMBASSADORS
Showcasing Rural Innovation. Accelerating Circular Bioeconomy.
NOMINATE →What is a Startup Village Ambassador?
A Startup Village Ambassador is a startup or SME showcasing best practice in rural food system innovation and acting as a visible champion of the Startup Village ecosystem. Across Europe, rural innovators are driving circular, sustainable food systems. The programme highlights the most promising among them and amplifies their impact at the European level.
They represent not only their own success — but the strength of rural innovation ecosystems.
Why It Matters
Rural ecosystems are powerful innovation engines — yet their success stories often go unseen. To unlock their full potential, the Ambassador Programme:
Elevates rural innovators across Europe
Positions Startup Villages as hubs of transformation
Showcases circular bioeconomy and food innovation in practice
Inspires and strengthens rural ecosystems across Europe
Ambassadors act as lighthouse examples of how rural communities can lead the shift toward resilient, sustainable food systems.
Who Can Become an Ambassador?
We are looking for agri-food startups and SMEs that:
Agri-Food Relevance
Operate within the rural food value chain (primary production, food processing, alternative proteins, agri-tech, local supply chains).
Startup Village Embeddedness
Embedded in a recognised Startup Village ecosystem with proven collaboration and local impact.
Circular Bioeconomy
Integrate circular bioeconomy principles into their business model (biomass valorisation, regenerative practices, bio-based products, resource efficiency, closing local loops).
Measurable Impact
Demonstrate measurable environmental, economic, or social impact and are ready to share their story at EU level.
Eligible are SMEs and startups from Startup Villages recognised by the European Startup Village Forum (ESVF) under the European Commission’s Startup Village Initiative.
Not eligible: general IT startups without agri-food relevance, pure consulting firms, or e-commerce businesses without rural integration.
How to Nominate
Submit Your Nomination
Complete the online form with information about your company and its alignment with the program criteria
Review by FoodCoP Team
Our team reviews your submission for eligibility and completeness
Get Notified
Receive notification of decision: Accepted, Rejected, or Request for Additional Information
Who Can Nominate?
Nominations can be submitted by Startup Village representatives, incubators or municipalities, and other ecosystem stakeholders. Startups and SMEs may also nominate themselves. Only complete and sufficiently documented nominations are fully evaluated. The review process ensures transparency, consistency, and alignment with the objectives of the Startup Village Ambassador initiative.
What Ambassadors Receive
Selected companies gain:
EU-level visibility and promotion
Recognised and promoted across the European Union.
Feature on a dedicated landing page
Featured on a dedicated landing page showcasing your success.
Inclusion in an official Ambassador Catalogue
Included in the official PDF Catalogue of rural innovation.
Representation in policy events
Representation in EU policy discussions and stakeholder events.
Official Digital Ambassador Badge
An official Digital Startup Village Ambassador Badge for your company.
This recognition strengthens credibility and positions your company within Europe's rural innovation and circular bioeconomy ecosystem.
Become a Lighthouse of Rural Innovation
Submit your nomination and showcase Europe's rural bioeconomy excellence.
Have questions? Get in touch: Marko Kac —marko.kac@venturefactory.org
