EATEX Food Innovation Hub

EATEX Food Innovation Hub is a collaborative innovation hub focused on transferring and implementing technology in the agri-food industry. It is designed as a meeting point where science and business work together to turn research into practical solutions for the sector. The hub serves companies and startups in the agri-food value chain, helping them identify needs, develop and validate solutions, and scale them into real-world implementation. Its positioning is centered on open, applied innovation with a strong emphasis on technology transfer, collaboration with research centers, and reducing the risk and uncertainty of innovation projects. Core Values Collaboration : EATEX is built around cooperation between companies, startups, research centers, and public institutions. Co-creation and shared problem-solving are presented as the basis for successful innovation transfer. Applied innovation : The hub focuses on practical, industry-relevant innovation rather than abstract research. Its programs are designed to develop, validate, demonstrate, and implement solutions that can be used in the market. Agility : EATEX emphasizes fast, flexible project management and agile research models. It aims to reduce friction in innovation processes and respond quickly to real sector needs. Risk reduction : A recurring theme is lowering the risk of innovation through funding support, controlled testing, and structured validation. This helps companies make better decisions before scaling or commercializing new solutions. Unique Aspects Backed by CNTA and the SINAI network : The hub is promoted by CNTA, with support from the Government of Navarra and collaboration from more than 10 R&D centers in the Navarra innovation system (SINAI). EU and public-program foundation : EATEX was created within the AGROALNEXT complementary agri-food plan and is financed through the EU NextGenerationEU recovery framework, giving it a strong public innovation mandate. First transversal agri-food sandbox in the EU : The Sandbox AgriFoodTech is presented as the first transversal agri-food sandbox in the European Union, combining scientific, regulatory, and public-private capabilities in one controlled environment. AI-enabled manufacturer matching : Its third-party manufacturing platform uses AI to match companies with verified manufacturers and copackers, adding a distinctive digital capability to the hub’s service offering.