EIT Food Country Representative Czechia

DEX Innovation Centre was selected as EIT Food Country Representative Czechia together with the University of Chemical Technology in Prague for the period 2026–2028 and is a member of the EIT Community Hub Czechia.

In this role, we connect Czech innovators, startups, researchers and emerging teams with opportunities within EIT Food, one of Europe’s leading innovation communities focused on the future of food.

We support the visibility of EIT Food activities in Czechia, strengthen links between local stakeholders and the wider European innovation ecosystem, and contribute to the development of new opportunities for startups, companies and talents.

Our focus is on startup support, ecosystem engagement and innovation capacity building, including the launch of the EIT Food Challenge Lab in Czechia.

What is EIT?

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is a body of the European Union established in 2008 to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. It brings together the so-called knowledge triangle of business, education and research and connects them through cross-border partnerships known as Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).

These communities help develop innovative products and services, support the creation of new companies and contribute to the education of a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

You can learn more on the official EIT website: EIT official website

What is EIT Food?

EIT Food is one of the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities and one of Europe’s leading initiatives focused on innovation in the food system.

It brings together businesses, startups, universities, research organisations and other stakeholders from across Europe with the aim of making the food system more sustainable, healthy, resilient and trusted.

Supported by the EU, EIT Food invests in projects, organisations and individuals that contribute to positive change in the agrifood sector. Its activities include startup support, innovation development, entrepreneurship, education and the creation of new pathways for bringing technologies and solutions to market.

Learn more: EIT Food official website

What is EIT Food RIS?

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS) was introduced in 2014 to help widen access to EIT opportunities and strengthen innovation capacity in countries and regions with lower innovation performance.

Its role is to open EIT activities, services and programmes to innovators and organisations that are not part of the core partner network, and to help connect local ecosystems with Europe’s wider innovation community.

The objective of the EIT RIS is to support countries and regions classified as “moderate” or “modest” innovators according to the European Innovation Scoreboard, and to help strengthen their ability to innovate over time.

More information: EIT RIS overview

About EIT Food Country Representatives

EIT Food Country Representatives are members of the EIT Community Hubs in their respective countries. They are independent organisations appointed to connect national agrifood ecosystems in Southern and Eastern Europe with EIT Food’s activities, programmes and opportunities.

A key part of this role is to help build a stronger pipeline of agrifood startups for EIT Food’s entrepreneurship programmes by:

• scouting promising teams and ventures,
• engaging incubators, accelerators and ecosystem partners,
• and supporting startups during application and preparation processes.

Country Representatives also help connect learners and talents with relevant EIT Food education initiatives, while contributing to stronger national innovation networks through collaboration, information-sharing and practical activities that build innovation and entrepreneurship capacity in the agrifood sector.

Are you interested?

Ask Tina and find out more!