The European agrifood sector is expanding, but for startups, entering new markets often feels like navigating a maze. With varying regulations, distribution challenges, and cultural differences across each country, founders frequently find themselves stuck, no matter how great their product is. The good news is that help exists, and one program is making this leap a little easier, Sales Booster by EIT Food.
As someone who has built businesses across different countries, I’ve seen the challenges that founders face when scaling internationally. Sales Booster offers a straightforward solution by equipping agrifood startups with strategies, networks, and actionable insights tailored to the European Union’s complex market. Let me share how it works and why I wish such support existed a decade ago when I started.
What Sales Booster Does Well
Sales Booster is structured to tackle common hurdles that trip up even the most determined entrepreneurs. Here’s how it helps:
-
Customized Action Plans: Startups work one-on-one with growth advisors who help assess markets, pinpoint opportunities, and craft an expansion plan that works. It’s no generic advice; everything revolves around the startup’s specific goals.
-
Workshops and Training: Participants attend sessions on key topics like navigating EU food laws, product positioning, and sales strategies. These empower founders who otherwise might waste months figuring out where they fit in the market.
-
Networking and Introductions: Getting to know distributors, retail chains, and logistics companies is often the hardest part of market entry. Sales Booster connects startups directly with key players across Europe.
One of the program’s smartest ideas is combining different learning styles. Startups not only listen to industry experts but also engage in peer-learning with other founders solving similar problems. It’s a safe space to share ideas without worrying about competition.
Examples of Impact
Programs like this get a lot of attention, but what matters is results. Let’s look at three real-world examples of startups who recently completed Sales Booster:
-
Cynomys: This Italian company builds IoT technology to improve animal welfare on farms. Through Sales Booster, they navigated tough regulatory frameworks in northern Europe and signed their first international distribution deal.
-
Agricolus: Operating in precision agriculture, this platform uses data to help farmers optimize yield. Sales Booster helped them adapt their pitch for the Dutch market, where farmers were hesitant to embrace tech without proven ROI.
-
BeeHelpful: This startup uses eco-friendly methods to boost pollination rates. After receiving mentorship, they partnered with food producers in Spain to incorporate their solution seamlessly into existing supply chains.
These examples show that it’s not just about crossing borders, it’s about crossing the right ones with the support to succeed.
How to Make the Most of Sales Booster
If you’re thinking about applying, preparation is key. Applications aren’t just a box-ticking exercise; they’re the first step toward a solid expansion plan. Here’s how to put your best foot forward:
-
Understand Your Unique Selling Points: Before applying, identify what makes your product stand out in international markets. If you're not clear on this, it’s time to revisit your value map.
-
Research Potential Markets: Have an idea of which EU countries are the best fit for your offering. Look into purchasing trends and competitive gaps.
-
Outline Your Goals: A clear vision for what you want to achieve through the program will set you apart. Show that you’re ready to do the work and will act on the guidance provided.
-
Ask Questions Early: If you’re unsure whether your product is suitable for Sales Booster, connect with EIT Food representatives. Their website has detailed eligibility information to help you decide.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
It’s easy to assume that once you’re accepted into a program like Sales Booster, success will follow automatically. However, some participants miss opportunities by falling into these traps:
-
Failure to Prepare: Startups that don’t have clear goals often struggle to take full advantage of the resources offered. This isn’t a place to "learn from scratch."
-
Ignoring Feedback: Receiving feedback can feel overwhelming, but ignoring it is the fastest way to fail. Coaches are there for a reason, trust their advice.
-
Lack of Follow-Through: After completing the program, some founders let their plans sit on a shelf. Act immediately while the support team is still available for follow-ups.
Why Sales Booster Stands Out
Within Europe, few programs are as hands-on as Sales Booster. EIT Food isn’t just handing over lectures or PDFs; they work actively alongside startups. The focus on market customization is something other accelerators rarely achieve. It’s easy to give advice, but much harder to tailor it to an ever-changing regulatory framework or a highly competitive sector.
On top of that, the personal growth advisors provide long-term value. Someone curating actionable connections while you focus on product quality? That’s priceless. If you’re looking for help beyond networking, like developing a concrete sales roadmap, this program has all the tools you need.
Wrapping Up
Scaling internationally is never something you should try doing alone. I’ve seen companies doubling their growth simply because they had someone who knew the rules of the road. Sales Booster gave that edge to companies like Cynomys and BeeHelpful. If your business has what it takes to compete, this could be your opportunity to tap into Europe’s vast agrifood market.
Want to know more? Visit EIT Food’s Sales Booster page, and start preparing for their next round of applications. Think of it as an investment in your company’s future. Every strong business needs a solid blueprint, but here’s the chance to have experts draw it with you.
FAQ
1. What is Sales Booster by EIT Food?
Sales Booster is a program designed to help agrifood startups overcome challenges in entering European markets by providing tailored support, training, and networking opportunities. Learn more about Sales Booster
2. Who is eligible to apply for Sales Booster?
Agrifood startups with innovative products or solutions, as well as startups from other sectors with impactful solutions applicable to agrifood, are eligible. Specific criteria can be found on EIT Food’s website. Explore eligibility details at Sales Booster
3. What are the main benefits of Sales Booster?
Participants receive personalized action plans, workshops on EU food laws and sales strategies, introductions to key industry players, and access to EIT Food’s wide network. Read more about Sales Booster benefits
4. How does Sales Booster help startups with market entry?
The program guides startups in building tailored internationalization action plans, adapting strategies to specific markets, and forming critical partnerships. Learn more about Sales Booster market entry support
5. Can you share examples of startups that benefited from Sales Booster?
Startups like Cynomys, Agricolus, and BeeHelpful gained market insights, regulatory knowledge, and partnerships across Europe through the program. Discover more about Sales Booster case studies
6. What challenges does Sales Booster address for agrifood innovators?
The program tackles hurdles like navigating EU regulations, cultural and logistical barriers, and finding the right distribution networks for startups. Explore challenges addressed by Sales Booster
7. What topics are covered in Sales Booster workshops?
Workshops focus on EU food laws, product positioning, sales strategies, and other tools for effective market expansion. Read about Sales Booster workshops
8. What should startups prepare before applying for Sales Booster?
Applicants should clarify their unique selling points, research potential markets, outline their goals, and ask questions about their suitability for the program. See application tips for Sales Booster
9. Why is Sales Booster described as hands-on?
Unlike many accelerators, Sales Booster combines personalized coaching, in-depth market-focused strategies, and real-world connections, making it highly practical. Read about what makes Sales Booster unique
10. How do I apply for Sales Booster?
Applications can be submitted via the EIT Food website during open call periods. Specific timelines and requirements are provided online. Apply for Sales Booster here
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.