Rabobank and StartLife have renewed their long-standing partnership for further three years, strengthening their shared commitment to help promising agrifoodtech startups scale and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable, resilient and productive food system.
The renewed agreement builds on a collaboration that began in 2016, combining StartLife’s international agrifoodtech ecosystem and acceleration expertise with Rabobank’s financial capabilities, sector knowledge and extensive network across food and agriculture.
Co-founded by Wageningen University & Research in 2010 and rooted in the Wageningen ecosystem, StartLife supports startups developing technologies and business models address some of the most pressing challenges facing food and agriculture. Since its establishment, StartLife has supported more than 400 startups worldwide, connecting founders to knowledge, coaching, industry networks, investors and capital.
Turning innovation into scalable impact
The next phase of the partnership will focus on four areas: creating relevant opportunities for startups and Rabobank; strengthening access to the wider agrifood ecosystem; developing and sharing knowledge; and increasing the visibility of sustainable innovation. Together, these priorities are intended to create clearer routes from promising technologies to financing, commercial partnerships and market adoption.
Rabobank’s Startup & Scale-up Team will coordinate the partnership, working closely with Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness sector specialists, local banking network and investment teams. Together with StartLife, the partners will maintain a structured dialogue on relevant startups, explore financing and other banking needs, and connect entrepreneurs with expertise and decision-makers across the food and agriculture value chain.
The partnership will also include regular deep-dive sessions in Wageningen, bringing together startups, researchers, investors, corporates and sector experts around key challenges and emerging opportunities in Agrifood. These sessions are designed to share insights, identify practical applications and create new opportunities for collaboration.
Supporting startups across their growth journey
For startups, the partnership provides access to a powerful combination of acceleration support, financial expertise, sector knowledge and industry connections. Depending on their stage and needs, entrepreneurs can engage with Rabobank on topics such as funding readiness, banking solutions, international growth, market insights and introductions to potential customers, investors and strategic partners.
The collaboration has already created tangible results. In the most recent evaluation, the majority of Dutch startups in the StartLife portfolio were Rabobank clients, while a substantial number have received an innovation loan or other financing with support from Rabobank’s Startup & Scale-up Team. The renewed agreement is intended to build on that foundation with more consistent coordination and follow-up.
A shared commitment to the food transition
“The strategic partnership between StartLife and Rabobank brings together two powerful forces: StartLife as Europe’s leading agrifood startup accelerator and Rabobank with its financial expertise, network and agrifood expertise. Together, we strengthen the innovation capacity of promising startups that are vital for the food transition. This collaboration enables entrepreneurs to scale solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system, fully aligned with Rabobank’s Agrifood Vision 2040.” ~ Sander Peltenburg, Startup & Scale-up Banker Food & Agri at Rabobank
“Agrifood innovation only creates impact when promising technologies can move beyond the startup stage and achieve real commercial scale. Our partnership with Rabobank helps make that possible by connecting founders not only to finance, but to deep agrifood expertise, customers, networks and opportunities across the value chain. By strengthening this partnership, we can give ambitious entrepreneurs more of what they need to turn breakthrough innovation into scalable solutions for a more resilient and sustainable food system.” ~ Dr Nicola Harrison, Managing Director of StartLife
By extending the partnership, Rabobank and StartLife reaffirm their commitment to open innovation: bringing together entrepreneurial talent, science, industry expertise and capital to turn today’s agrifood challenges into tomorrow’s scalable solutions. Agrifoodtech entrepreneurs with ambitions in the Netherlands and internationally are invited to connect with the StartLife ecosystem and explore how the partnership can support their next stage of growth.
About Rabobank
Rabobank is a cooperative bank with deep roots in food and agriculture. Through its Startup & Scale-up Team, sector specialists, local network and investment capabilities, Rabobank supports innovative entrepreneurs with access to funding, knowledge and connections. Its ambition is to work with clients and partners to build a more sustainable and resilient food system.
About StartLife
StartLife is Europe’s leading agrifoodtech accelerator, co-founded by Wageningen University & Research in 2010. Based in the world’s agrifood capital, StartLife cultivates an open innovation ecosystem that empowers startup founders, investors, industry leaders and researchers to build and scale next-generation technologies into impactful ventures shaping the future of sustainable food systems.