3rd Edition

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
EVEN'UP,
CALL FOR INNOVATIVE
AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE
AND FOOD PRODUCTION
Driven by Even, a leading Breton cooperative group and a key player in the French agri-food industry, EVEN UP is a call for projects aimed at start-ups offering innovative solutions to address the major transitions in agriculture and food.
The goal? To support environmental, societal, and technological transformations shaping the future of the sector.
Optimizing resource management, preserving biodiversity, and meeting new consumer expectations regarding production methods, consumption, and animal welfare, these are just some of the key challenges facing agriculture and the agri-food industry today. By leveraging breakthrough innovations, improving production performance, streamlining logistics, and enhancing efficiency in support functions, we can drive the sector’s transformation.
In partnership with Le Village by CA Finistère, the Valorial competitiveness cluster, and Supernova Invest, EVEN UP makes room for new ambitions in agriculture and agri-food. It offers start-ups a unique opportunity: to showcase their products and services before a panel of experts and benefit from tailored support to accelerate their growth.
Are you an AG-Tech or FoodTech start-up with proven proof of concept (PoC)?
Does your project address key challenges in agricultural production, the agri-food industry, or food distribution?
DON’T HESITATE,
EVEN UP IS THE COMPETITION THAT WILL DRIVE YOUR GROWTH FORWARD!
EVEN'UP COMPETITION
THE 3rd EDITION IS NOW OPEN!
The EVEN UP call for solutions is one of a kind: it covers the entire value chain, from farm to fork, and is backed by a committed cooperative dedicated to providing concrete solutions to the challenges across our industries.
Are you looking to test your solutions in real-world conditions, engage with industry experts, and connect with specialists in innovation funding? Do you want to boost your visibility in the agri-food sector?
If you are selected for the pitch stage, you will receive personalized feedback on your project and gain valuable connections to help develop your solution.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
- Your project must address one of these five key challenges:
Enhancing performance and optimizing resources in agricultural, industrial, and logistics environments.
Developing innovative precision nutrition solutions.
Digitalizing food distribution or advancing e-commerce in the food sector.
Meeting new consumer needs by introducing innovative services and food solutions.
Improving and accelerating data processing to enhance customer insights, unify logistics and industrial processes, or reduce environmental impact.
2. Your project must have a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5.
WHO MAKES UP THE JURY?
The jury includes experts from the Even group, members of Le Village by CA, the Valorial competitiveness cluster, Supernova Invest, and a previous winner from Season 2.
Start-ups selected for the pitch stage will benefit from a dedicated one-on-one session with an expert, providing personalized feedback on market positioning, business needs, structuring, and financial strategy.
Voting will be conducted by simple majority, based on a structured evaluation grid.
MARCH 3
Call for projects opens
APRIL 25
Application deadline
MAY 20
Announcement of selected projects
JUNE 17
Pitch session
Deliberation & Winner Announcement
WHAT WINNERS RECEIVE
1
€20,000 financial support
2
One year of expert guidance from the Even Group to develop your innovation
3
Market access opportunities
4
One-year membership with Valorial
5
Exclusive access to the European network of Le Village by CA Finistère
6
Media exposure to showcase your project
A group
serving people
and territories
Founded in Brittany in 1930, Even is a cooperative group built around dairy production. With 1,000 cooperative farmers and over 6,200 employees, Even has become a key player in the French agri-food sector, mainly through its Paysan Breton brand.
Even is structured around its parent Cooperative Even and four complementary business divisions:
- Upstream agricultural activities
- Dairy products
- Food distribution
- Diversification of businesses
While deeply rooted in its Breton heritage, Even has a global reach, operating 100 subsidiaries in France and abroad and serving customers in over 110 countries. Every day, its products make their way to one million plates worldwide.
Driven by the values of agricultural cooperation, Even has a clear ambition: to ensure quality nutrition while creating sustainable human and economic value for its cooperative farmers, employees, and the regions where it operates.
A FUTURE-FOCUSED GROUP
Given the current consumer and distribution trends, Even invests, innovates, and expands internationally to highlight the value of its cooperative milk production and sustain its agri-food activities.
To support this strategy, Even continues to prioritize innovation and food progress, leveraging both internal and external expertise, to drive sustainable growth.
OUR PARTNERS
A key innovation hub for sustainable agriculture and agri-food, Valorial unites a network of 400 members, offering tailored services and expertise to showcase creativity and competitiveness across the sector.
Le Village by CA supports regional development through innovation and collaboration, bringing together start-ups, SMEs, large corporations, institutions, and academia. It drives synergies and new business opportunities across five key industries:
- Agri-food
- Healthcare
- Maritime industries
- Cybersecurity
- Energy transitions
A leading European deeptech investment firm, Supernova Invest backs over 90 high-impact deeptech pioneers developing disruptive innovations. Its expertise spans six strategic sectors:
- Energy and Environment
- Industry 4.0
- Healthcare
- Digital technologies
- Microelectronics
- Agriculture and agri-food
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FAQ
Participation and operation of the call for solutions
Who can participate?
The call for solutions is open to startups and innovative companies in the AgTech and FoodTech sectors, as well as project leaders with a validated proof of concept (PoC). Projects must align with the themes of environmental, societal, or technological transition as defined in the regulations.
How to submit a project?
Projects should be submitted through the official link https://www.even-up.bzh between March 3, 2025, at 12 noon and April 25, 2025, at midnight.
The application file must be complete and in the required format (see rules and regulations).
What are the project selection criteria?
Projects are evaluated according to several criteria:
- Human dimensions: team skills, motivation, suitability of the project for the Groupe Even
- Economic dimension: market potential, financial viability.
- Innovative dimension: innovative nature of the project, technical feasibility, compliance with themes.
- CSR dimension: environmental and social impact, in relation to Groupe Even issues. Please refer to the Group’s Annual Report: Publications | Groupe Even | Even
What is the timeline for the call for solutions?
- Application submission: March 3 to April 25, 2025
- Pre-selection phase: April 25 to May 20, 2025
- Announcement of finalists: May 21, 2025
- Finalists’ pitch: June 17, 2025, in Brest
- Announcement of winners: From June 18, 2025
What happens if my application is incomplete or submitted late?
Any application that is incomplete or submitted after midnight on April 25, 2025, will be automatically rejected. Make sure you meet the deadlines and provide all the information requested.
Support and commitment of the winners
What are the benefits of being an Even’Up winner?
The winners benefit from:
- Financial support for up to €20,000, subject to conditions.
- Strategic support, including mentorship, networking, and connections with experts.
- Technical, scientific, and marketing support from Groupe Even experts for one year.
- Access to the European network of Village by CA Finistère.
- A one-year membership to Valorial.
- Media exposure to enhance visibility.
How is the €20,000 grant paid out?
The grant is divided into three instalments based on the progress of the project:
- 25% after signing the support agreement.
- 25% after validation of an interim report on project progress.
- 50% after validation of the final report.
Will my project remain confidential after submission?
Yes, all applications are handled with the utmost confidentiality. However, if you are selected as a winner, part of your project may be highlighted in Groupe Even ‘communications, with your consent.
Are there any commitments to being met as a prize winner?
Yes, the winners commit to:
- Provide progress reports detailing progress and difficulties encountered.
- Mention Even’Up’s support in their communications.
- Participate in events and exchanges planned with the Even group.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my application?
If you have any questions in advance of your submission, please write to evenup@even.fr.