Food is more than fuel—it connects people, cultures, and generations. But our current food system is under pressure. It affects our health, burdens the planet, and challenges social equity. To safeguard future generations, we must radically transform how we produce, distribute, and consume food.

Food Valley is an international innovation network based in the Netherlands, bringing together companies, researchers, and governments to build a healthier, more sustainable food system. We foster collaboration across sectors, accelerate groundbreaking innovations, and support entrepreneurs who dare to think differently.

Natural Processing Solutions (NPS) is a Dutch engineering and technology partner specializing in practical innovations for the food and pharma industries. NPS supports companies with machine sales, custom equipment design (SolidWorks), maintenance, spare parts, and process optimization.

NPS operates as a flexible and experienced partner for industrial SMEs and technology providers. In addition to its own services, NPS acts as agent for leading innovators such as TOP b.v. and Cool Wave Processing, accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like mild preservation and smart process automation.

TOP BV works worldwide for the food industry and its suppliers such as machine builders. Our priorities are increasing the profit of your company, practical innovation and improving the quality of your (new) products. To achieve this ultimate goal, we apply the latest scientific and technical know-how.

The team specializes in complete NPD, mechanical engineering and the use of the latest mild preservation technologies such as HPP (pascalization), PEF (PurePulse), AMAP, RF (Radio Frequency) and PATS. Other topics include biocascading, new extraction methods, natural reformulations and structuring of (vegetable) proteins. We have several registered patents and continue to reinvest in R&D projects.

NIZO is one of the most renowned contract research organisations for better food and health in the world. Headquartered in Ede (the Netherlands) in the heart of the Food Valley region, employing over 75 scientists and support staff.

NIZO team up with our customers in their innovation process when reformulating existing products and the creation of new ones. NIZO brings together experts in many different areas of food science and production including: protein technology, fermentation, bioinformatics, health, food processing, food safety and sensory experiences of food.

Wouter de Heij, the driving force behind Food4Innovations, is a visionary leader with a deep-rooted passion for food innovation. Educated at Delft Technical University in the Netherlands, Wouter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role, having spent years designing food factories, investing in startups, and providing senior advisory services.

With a keen eye for emerging technologies and market trends, Wouter de Heij is dedicated to shaping the future of food production and fostering a culture of innovation within the industry. Through Food4Innovations, he continues to empower entrepreneurs, catalyze innovation, and drive positive change in the global food ecosystem.

TDI – Smart Funding for Innovation - specializes in securing subsidies and grants for third parties, with a strong focus on R&D and investment projects. In addition to licensing and company formation services, TDI regularly supports innovative companies in navigating complex funding landscapes — both nationally and across the EU.

TDI typically works on a no cure, no pay basis: only when a subsidy is successfully granted, a success fee of 10% is charged on the approved amount.

Curious about what’s possible for your company? Reach out to Herman Feil for a no-obligation conversation.

BOX (Blue Ocean XLerator) is a private incubator/accelerator of entrepreneurs who invest in sustainable innovations that have the potential to make the world a better place. BOX is a new but proven way of acceleration: for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs.

BOX offer is the complete engineering of startups into a rock-solid proposition and into companies that are ready for large-scale success in one leap.. Our track record of over 30 companies and the high success rate form the basis of good relationships with startups, investors and entrepreneurs.

4Vitae replace your surveys for client experience, employee satisfaction, business intelligence, market development and/or threat assessment with one structured process for generating warm data: meaningful information based on what people say or observe.

The warm data connects it to your existing control data. 4Vitae also help you adapt your leadership and accountability processes accordingly. 4Vitae calls this connected management. We help our customers from managing with cold data, to leading with challenges and managing with hot and cold data.

These times of great change and uncertainty offer more challenges and opportunities than ever before. Responding well to this requires focus and speed. Smart connections with other frontrunners are imperative. Many operate from one of the global hotspots, where a bundle of innovative activity, talent, knowledge base and capital can be found. Having the right connections to these ecosystems is now more important than ever.

Ecosystem Navigators is firmly rooted in these hotspots and can connect you like no other with your peers. We help you to successfully build upon the progress made in the worlds’ hotspots. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel and just stay focused on your core activities!